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The Connection Between Your Jaw & Sleep

Misalignment of the jawbone is one of the primary reasons for obstructive sleep apnea. When your jaws are not aligned properly, the soft palate can collapse and the tongue can block the airway, leading to breathing difficulties in your sleep. If you’re suffering from severe sleep apnea, surgically repositioning the upper and lower jaw to increase the size of the airway can provide significant relief. Dr. Fathimani offers orthognathic surgery as a last-resort option if all other sleep apnea treatments fail to yield sustainable results.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you have sleep apnea, you may not remember these episodes of stopped breathing, but they can disrupt your sleep throughout the night, leaving you feeling very tired during the day. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type patients seek sleep apnea treatment in Lone Tree, and it occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.

When you stop breathing in your sleep, the oxygen level in your blood decreases, which reduces the oxygen supply to your brain, leading to a partial awakening as you gasp for breath. Repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation can lead to numerous long-term cardiovascular and mental health consequences, such as strokes, heart disease, depression, loss of concentration, etc. Patients with sleep apnea must undergo diagnosis and treatment.

woman the morning after sleep apnea treatment in Lone Tree

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

  • Loud and persistent snoring
  • Pauses in breathing
  • Choking or gasping during sleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Waking up with a headache
  • Trouble staying asleep
  • Feeling irritable or angry
  • Depression and fatigue
  • Memory problems

In most cases, patients suffering from sleep apnea fail to notice the most obvious signs because they don’t recall their lapses in breathing. That’s why most people with sleep apnea are notified by their sleep partners or roommates about loud snoring. If you notice the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, you must schedule a consultation with Dr. Fathimani.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

During your consultation for sleep apnea treatment in Lone Tree, Dr. Fathimani will assess your maxillofacial region, analyze the jawbone positioning, and perform a skull x-ray to determine if there’s a structural obstruction responsible for your symptoms. He may perform a naso-pharyngeal exam using a flexible fiber-optic camera and order a sleep study. After a thorough evaluation, he will curate a personalized sleep apnea treatment plan.

woman morning after sleep apnea treatment in Lone Tree

CPAP Machine

A CPAP machine is a common treatment option for sleep apnea. The machine delivers air through a mask that is worn during sleep. The air pressure from the machine keeps the airway open and prevents periods of apnea.

Uvulo-Palato-Pharyngo-Plasty (UPPP)

UPPP is a surgical procedure that modifies the structure of the uvula, soft palate, and pharynx at the back of the soft palate and throat. If you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, this procedure can prevent the palate from collapsing, so you can breathe unobstructed.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is asleep apnea treatment in Lone Tree where the surgeon makes a surgical modification of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to remove the structural root cause of sleep apnea. The surgeon repositions the jawbone to expand the airway and allow you to breathe more comfortably at night.

Schedule Your Consultation

Dr. Kayvan Fathimani is a triple-board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in cutting-edge orthognathic surgeries. He administers advanced diagnostic tests to evaluate the root cause of sleep apnea and curate a personalized surgical plan. He also ensures you feel safe and supported through every stage of your journey. Please schedule a consultation to explore your sleep apnea treatment options in Lone Tree.

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