Jaw surgery for sleep apnea in Westchester and New York City

Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed by the person who has it. A partner is usually the first to notice. Common signs include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep
• Waking up tired, or with a headache
• Daytime sleepiness or trouble concentrating
• Waking up many times a night
• A small or set-back lower jaw, which can narrow the airway

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study, and most adults with moderate or severe sleep apnea start with CPAP, a mask that holds the airway open with air pressure. CPAP works well when it's used, but many people find it hard to use every night.

Jaw surgery is an option when CPAP or an oral appliance isn't working or can't be tolerated, especially when the shape of the jaws narrows the airway. Your sleep physician confirms the diagnosis, and the surgical plan is built with their input.

Sleep apnea severity is measured by the apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI: the number of times per hour breathing stops or becomes shallow during sleep. An AHI under 5 is considered normal, and 30 or more is severe.

A review pooling 627 patients found that average AHI fell from 63.9 to 9.5 events per hour after MMA. About 86% of patients met the standard definition of surgical success, and about 43% reached an AHI under 5. Major complications were rare, at about 1%.

Results vary from person to person. Younger age, lower weight before surgery and a lower starting AHI were linked with better outcomes.

1. Diagnosis

   Sleep study

   A sleep study confirms sleep apnea and measures how severe it is. If you haven't had one, this is the first step.

2. Visit

   Airway and jaw evaluation

   An exam of your jaws, bite and airway, with a CT scan to measure the airway and plan the movements.

3. Planning

   3D surgical planning

   Jaw movements are planned on a 3D model. Some patients need braces before or after surgery to keep the bite aligned, and some don't.

4. Surgery

   Surgery day

   Surgery is done in the hospital under general anesthesia, followed by a short hospital stay.

5. Follow-up

   Repeat sleep study

   A sleep study a few months after surgery measures how much your AHI has improved.

First few days

Swelling is at its peak, usually around day two or three. You start on liquids, and pain is managed with medication. Nasal congestion is common, and a humidifier helps.

Weeks 1–6

Soft and puréed foods. Many people return to desk work within a few weeks.

About 6 weeks

Initial bone healing is complete, and most people return to a regular diet and normal activity once cleared.

Months

Swelling continues to fade, and any numbness in the lip or chin usually improves over several months. A follow-up sleep study checks your results.