Choosing Between Oral Appliances and Upper Airway Surgery
Are you a patient suffering from severe sleep apnea? Well, oral appliances and upper airway surgery might both be the potential relief remedies for you. So, how are you to informatively choose between the two? At Snoring and Sleep Solutions of Nevada, we make it easy for you to understand both options to make the best-informed decisions.
Of course, there’s no such thing as the “one size fits all” approach – anatomy, health history, and personal preferences all vary. But by comparing things like how effective they are risks and lifestyle impact, our experts can guide you to the best treatment plan.
Here are some key points to consider when deliberating oral therapy vs surgical intervention, reassured knowing that we will support you to find the approach that lets you breathe – and sleep! – easiest.
Oral Device Therapy: Non-invasive with gradual improvements
A non-surgical, first-line oral appliance therapy is extremely common for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Specifically designed mouthpieces work well at gently repositioning the jaw, tongue, and soft tissues of the pharynx to open the airway. Their advantages include:
- A Non-invasive approach avoids surgical risks.
- Comfortable fit for consistent nightly use.
- Effective at stabilizing oxygen levels and airflow.
- Also portable and easy to travel with.
- Improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue over time.
- Provides supplementary use of CPAP when needed.
- This therapy is relatively inexpensive, especially when done out-patient.
- It conditions slowly to condition your muscles for long-term outcomes.
Success often needs months as your airway molds and your muscles develop. Good tolerability depends on getting your appliance fitted to attain the best effects and usually needs to be modified from time to time. Oral appliance therapy is an excellent first-line treatment. Try this before surgery.
Airway and Sinus Surgeries: Great Improvement but Higher Risk
For individuals whose obstructions are too severe to be overcome by medical devices, various surgeries are options, including tissue removal and bone realignment but often progressing to the following:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP – Removing excess soft palate tissue.
- Maxillomandibular advancement – Advancing the jawbones surgically.
- Turbinate reduction – Reshaping nasal structures.
- Straightening a deviated nasal septum.
- Removing tonsils or adenoids for children.
Big advantages are achieved as the airway opening is significantly increased allowing easy breathing and patients enjoy major relief; success is mostly achieved.
However, surgery carries with it certain standard risks of complications related to anesthesia and recovery:
- Pain, risks of bleeding and hospitalization.
- Risk of nerve damage.
- Risk of allergic reactions to anesthesia.
And benefits, by the way, are not necessarily permanent if scarring obstructs the airway over time. So, weigh carefully the risks versus rewards with your ENT.
Key Considerations in Making the Right Choice for Yourself
Every patient is unique. Consider the following as a guide in oral or surgical interventions:
- The severity of your apnea and airway obstruction. Milder cases favor oral therapy first.
- Your health history and surgical risks if any.
- Previous treatment attempts and tolerance of oral devices or CPAP.
- Desire and ability to use therapy nightly long-term. Surgery offers a “one-and-done” appeal for some.
- Your lifestyle and travel needs. Oral devices are more portable generally.
- Upfront cost, insurance coverage, and affordability.
- Fear of surgery, if any, versus comfort with oral devices.
- Care recommendations personalized to your body and exam.
- Goals for improving function, not just measures of apnea.
By looking at your entire profile, our providers can lead you down the road that’s best for you. Many patients use a combination of oral therapy both before and after surgery as well.
We’re Here to Help You Breathe Easier
At Snoring and Sleep Solutions of Nevada, your health is paramount. Whether it’s oral or surgical treatment that best suits you, our team will guide you through it all. No more sleepless nights. Let’s get you breathing through an open airway. Restful nights, here we come.
Call now to get started on your personalized treatment plan.
