Sleep Apnea Surgery

• People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. When OSA occurs, the tongue is pushed to the back of the throat and blocks the upper airway, obstructing airflow.
• 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.
• Repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation lead to very serious cardiovascular problems. Additionally, these individuals suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, depression and a loss of concentration.
• Along with an interdisciplinary sleep disorders team, Dr. John F. Caccamese, Jr., Dr. Gary Warburton and Dr. Nicholas R. Wilken provide skeletal surgical correction for sleep apnea. Maxillomandibular (upper and lower jaw) advancement is over 95 percent effective in its ability to significantly enlarge the upper airway and limit obstruction by moving the upper and lower jaws forward, thereby opening the airway during sleep.