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Surgical Procedures

Sleep Apnea

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and airflow stops. When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp.

There are several treatment options available. An initial treatment may consist of using a nasal CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask to limit obstruction at night. One of the surgical options is an uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty (UPPP), which is performed in the back of the soft palate and throat. A similar procedure is sometimes done with the assistance of a laser and is called a laser assisted uvulo-palato-plasty (LAUPP). In other cases, a radio-frequency probe is utilized to tighten the soft palate. These procedures usually performed under light IV sedation in the office.

In more complex cases, the bones of the upper and lower jaw may be repositioned to increase the size of the airway (orthognathic surgery). This procedure is done in the hospital under general anesthesia and requires a one to two day overnight stay in the hospital.

OSA is a very serious condition that needs careful attention and treatment. Most major medical plans offer coverage for diagnosis and treatment.

Repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation lead to very serious cardiovascular problems. Additionally, these individuals suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, and loss of concentration.

Some patients have obstructions that are less severe called Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). In either case, the individuals suffer many of the same symptoms.

The first step in treatment resides in recognition of the symptoms and seeking appropriate consultation. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer consultation and treatment options.

In addition to a detailed history, the doctors will assess the anatomic relationships in the maxillofacial region. With cephalometric (skull x-ray) analysis, the doctors can ascertain the level of obstruction. Sometimes a naso-pharyngeal exam is done with a flexible fiber-optic camera. To confirm the amount of cardiovascular compromise and decreased oxygenation levels, a sleep study may be recommended to monitor an individual overnight.

FacesFirst

What Is Facesfirst?

Corrective jaw surgery treatment planning has three essential goals

  • Get the teeth in a normal bite
  • Orient the upper and lower jaws so they are spatially correct
  • Normalize the soft tissue expression, changing the spatial relationships of the jaw to get the most pleasing results possible. 

Our FacesFirst philosophy makes the expression of the face the highest priority.

The Difference?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons tend to treat the x-ray that they are looking at rather than the face itself. For many of these surgeons, numbers drive treatment planning, rather than having a firm understanding of how the surgical movements of the upper and lower jaw impact the final form of the face. This is important not only looking at the front view, but also in the profile view.

 

FacesFirst is our unique philosophy. It places the emphasis on the final position of the upper jaw. The upper jaw, or maxilla, is what dictates the smile. It is incredibly important to place the upper incisors in their ideal position. The vertical position of the upper jaw will dictate how much tooth is shown at rest as well as smiling. Maximizing the width of the upper jaw fills out the smile line, making it far more aesthetic and eliminating areas where the cheek can be seen when one is smiling broadly. The smile is everything.

 

The upper jaw dictates the final position of the lower jaw and therefore the facial profile. With FacesFirst, the upper jaw determines the smile aesthetics and the lower jaw determines the profile aesthetics. Harmonious positioning is the key to the best possible aesthetic outcome.