Sleep Apnea Treatment
Restore Better Sleep and Better Health
Noninvasive treatments such as changes in lifestyle or the use of a CPAP machine can sometimes treat sleep apnea successfully. When those methods don't work, your surgeon can perform a surgical procedure to clear your airway.
Boulder Oral Surgery performs a wide scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments for patients in the greater Boulder, Colorado, area, including the surgical treatment of sleep apnea. We provide convenient access for our patients to receive the care they have come to know and expect from us. If you have been referred for the surgical treatment of your sleep apnea, we encourage you to give us a call to schedule an appointment.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing is impaired to the point of stopping during sleep. An estimated 12 million Americans are affected by this serious but common condition. These pauses in breathing, called apneas, may last a few seconds or a few minutes. Sleep apnea may also include shallow breaths during sleep. The affected person may not be aware that they have sleep apnea, although they may feel very tired during the day despite thinking they have gotten a good night’s sleep.
Common symptoms associated with sleep apnea include:
- Snoring loudly
- A gasping or choking sensation upon awakening
- Restless sleep patterns
- Insomnia
- Sore or dry throat in the morning
- Headaches in the morning
- Fatigue or sleepiness during the day despite a full night’s rest
Surgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea
A sleep study, also called a polysomnogram, can confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a personalized treatment plan will be created just for you. Patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea may benefit from conservative treatments, such as changes in lifestyle behaviors, the use of a CPAP machine, or a dental device to keep the airway open during sleep. For patients where these treatments fail to work, or in patients with severe sleep apnea, surgical correction may be the right option.
The surgical treatment of sleep apnea depends on many factors. You may qualify for the surgical treatment of sleep apnea if:
- Lifestyle changes fail to correct the issue. Lifestyle changes may include weight loss, smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, or side sleeping.
- CPAP machines are uncomfortable to wear or ineffective.
- Mouthpieces cause pain or discomfort.
In general, the surgical treatment of sleep apnea involves repositioning the upper and/or lower jaw to widen the breathing passages. When you come to Boulder Oral Surgery to discuss your sleep apnea, your oral surgeon will review your condition and formulate the best treatment method. This procedure may be performed in our practice or hospital.
Types of Anesthesia
Boulder Oral Surgery performs a wide scope of oral surgery procedures and offers many types of anesthesia for the comfort and safety of our patients. The anesthesia used for your procedure will be selected by your oral surgeon. Your health history, personal preference, and unique treatment plan will all be considered when deciding which anesthesia is right for you.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Sleep Apnea Treatment and other procedures.
"Well, in my original consultation, Dr. Nedbalski walked me through the entire procedure. He explained everything he was going to do, so it really put my mind at ease. He’s a very caring, competent oral surgeon. My overall experience at Boulder Oral Surgery was really good. "
"My experience was wonderful. Dr. Nedbalski took the time to explain the procedure, and the procedure was very smooth. This procedure was life-changing! "
"The procedures for each one of my children was really fast. The team was really good—clearly extremely experienced and very reassuring about what the process would look like. "
"he staff was incredibly friendly and comforting. Dr. Luter was very professional. He was kind. He made me feel at ease. He explained everything that he was going to do. "
"The staff here was absolutely excellent. They went above and beyond to let me know the process. Dr. Chai is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He completely put me at ease and he talked me through the entire process. It went incredibly well."
"Dr. Nedbalski is a really nice guy—he has always a smile, he always explains things. I always like him because he has such a warm personality, and you know he’s going to do good work. The procedure I went through was just fine. Recovery was good."
"The office is really warm and inviting, and I had previously had experience there with one of my children, and the people are very friendly. I am really happy with my results. It went well and healed well. "
"Dr. Nedbalski explains them to me very easily, very quickly, and he was very gentle and very kind. Dr. Nedbalski's team is absolutely amazing, and each one knows what they're supposed to do, and they do it well. My experience here was life-changing. "
"Dr. Nedbalski is really an expert at what he does. He's very thorough, he's informative, he's up to date with the most current technologies and processes in the industry, and he's got a great bedside manner. I never felt like I was being treated as a number; I felt like a patient that was really cared for and that he knew me personally."
Building Better Smiles For Boulder
At Boulder Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, our goal is to bring you the best smile possible through exceptional oral surgery services tailored to meet your unique needs. From your first appointment to well after your procedure, we are here to support you on your journey to optimal oral health. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and discover the life-changing power of oral surgery.