Sleep Apnea Treatment in Arizona

Feeling drowsy during the day, having difficulty concentrating, and even depression can often be linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This common sleep disorder can have a major impact on your health if left untreated. Several sleep apnea treatments can alleviate the symptoms of OSA and relieve your symptoms. At Arizona Jaw Surgery, we collaborate closely with sleep experts to develop customized sleep apnea treatment procedures tailored to patients with the most challenging forms of the condition.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a physical disorder that disrupts your sleep by repeatedly interrupting your sleep cycle when your breathing temporarily stops during the night. During these brief periods, oxygen does not reach the brain, typically for a few seconds at a time. Insufficient levels of oxygen in the bloodstream can lead to cardiovascular and other health issues, including respiratory problems, cognitive difficulties, daytime sleepiness, and mood changes.

Sleep apnea most often occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax, causing them to fall back and partially or fully block the airway. After a few seconds, your body responds to the lack of oxygen and “startles” you awake. However, you may not be aware of this, and you immediately fall back to sleep. This constant interruption of deep sleep and lack of oxygen leads to exhaustion and health issues such as an increased risk of heart attack, irregular heartbeat, stroke, or diabetes and a reduction in life expectancy.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The symptoms of sleep apnea are sometimes first noticed by partners or family members and may include one or more of the following:

• Excessive snoring
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Brain fog
• Mood changes or irritability
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Trouble staying asleep
• High blood pressure
• Feeling tired even after a full night of sleep
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

If you have one or more of the above symptoms, consult with your doctor or a sleep medicine specialist to determine whether you may have obstructive sleep apnea.

Our Treatment Process

There are several treatment options available for sleep apnea. An initial treatment may involve using a CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a mask to reduce nighttime obstruction. Often, patients do not tolerate these devices well, have severe OSA, or have schedules that do not allow for consistent use.

Oral appliances may also be tried as a means to maintain an open airway by repositioning the lower jaw or holding the tongue in place. While these methods are effective for some individuals, they may not work for everyone. In some cases, the oral appliances are not sufficient or are too uncomfortable to be effective.

When other treatments have failed, surgery is recommended. Many surgeries such as tongue reduction, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPP), Tonsillectomy, and others have been performed in the past with mixed results, leading to them falling out of favor. 

Today, we reposition the bones of the upper and lower jaw to increase the size of the airway either via Expansion of the Jaws or with Orthognathic surgery. This is often referred to as Maxillomandibular Advancement (or MMA). Dr. Wasson performs this procedure in the hospital under general anesthesia. It typically requires a one- or two-night hospital stay.

There are many advantages to MMA surgery, including the “one and done” nature of the treatment. Once we have completed the surgery, there is often no need for additional treatment meaning you may not have to wear an oral appliance, face mask, or any other device.

For before and after images of our OSA patients, see our Before and After Gallery.

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

Why Choose Us?

Dr. Wasson’s status as a board-certified oral surgeon puts him in the upper echelon of surgeons performing the complex Maxillomandibular Advancement procedure. He is one of the few surgeons in the southwest who is fully dedicated to jaw surgery, with no other focus, ensuring that he is thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the procedure and its complexities

However, what is most important to our patients who undergo MMA surgery is the care we provide before and after surgery. Dr. Wasson explains the procedure in detail, allows the patient to make the final decision, and follows up after surgery with each patient to make sure they are doing well and that there are no complications. His compassion and wonderful bedside manner make jaw surgery in Arizona a low-anxiety experience with life-long results for a better life.

To learn more about jaw surgery pricing at Arizona Jaw Surgery, visit our Prices Page

To learn more about sleep apnea treatments and determine if MMA surgery is right for you, please call us at Arizona Jaw Surgery Phone Number(480) 896-0600 to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation. See some of Dr. Wasson’s real patient results here.