A Solution to Constant Snoring
Have you been told that you snore loudly and frequently or are you always tired, even after waking up in the mornings after hours of sleep? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea in Dallas and Waxahachie, TX. A common, yet under diagnosed condition, sleep apnea blocks air from getting into the body while you sleep and restricts oxygen to the brain. Often caused by tissue in the neck falling into the airway, sleep apnea leads to snoring and can cause patients to awaken many times in the middle of the night. And if left untreated, chronic sleep apnea has been linked to Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. For patients who have severe cases of sleep apnea, there is hope with orthognathic (jaw) surgery. Dr. Howard Cooke, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, offers an advanced perspective when treatment planning, considering both your oral and medical concerns. He frequently offers advanced jaw surgery to remove or reshape the tissue within the neck that is blocking airflow and to realign your jaw to prevent the condition from recurring.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Persistent snoring
- Restless sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Mood swings
- Forgetfulness
- Morning headaches
- Waking up gasping for air
Specialized Jaw Surgery
When sleep apnea cannot be treated with CPAP devices or mouthguards, a surgical approach is necessary. Dr. Cooke offers the leading care in Dallas, TX for jaw surgery and sleep apnea treatment thanks to his years of experience, advanced technology and anesthesia options. The most common form of jaw surgery for sleep apnea is maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA). This surgery involves adjusting the lower jaw forward so that it expands the airway laterally. Not only will this adjustment improve the airflow while asleep, but it often improves the bite between teeth and improves the overall facial aesthetics. In other cases of severe sleep apnea, we may have to remove tissues from inside your mouth and throat.
Excessive tissue that falls within the airway can block proper breathing, so the surgical removal of this tissue will allow for improved breathing during sleep.
Neither of these treatments are simple however and they require a specialist’s touch. Dr. Cooke has over 20 years of experience as an oral surgeon and the medical training to handle the complexities of the jaw, neck and throat. With anesthesia options like IV sedation and general anesthesia, patients can be put into a relaxed, sleep-like state during surgery to relieve anxiety and prevent discomfort. When you choose Dr. Cooke for your sleep apnea jaw surgery, you can rest assured that you are in safe and experienced hands.
