Sleep Apnea Treatment San Antonio Tx

The Inspire® Implant, also known as a hypoglossal nerve stimulator, goes into the body to keep an eye on chest movements. Then, it kicks the genioglossus muscle into action. This tackles the main problem behind sleep apnea. As a result, patients get to enjoy better sleep without snoring.

More so, it lets people breathe easily and sleep without needing a hose, mask, or machine. The FDA has given this sleep apnea device a thumbs up. It’s quiet and starts up with just a click of a small remote.

MMA surgery expands the whole upper airway area and reduces the chances of the throat walls collapsing. Among all the treatments for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) we provide, MMA stands out with a success rate of over 90%. It significantly betters the apnea-hypopnea index and solves the problem of feeling too sleepy during the day.

Besides treating sleep apnea, MMA can also fix a misaligned bite. We team up with orthodontists to improve both the structure of the airway and the alignment of the teeth and jaw. This approach ensures that patients see benefits in their breathing and bite.

Distraction osteogenesis with maxillary expansion (DOME) is an innovative surgical method paired with orthodontic care. It enhances nasal breathing and addresses a narrow jaw due to transverse maxillary deficiency. DOME is especially effective for both adults and kids suffering from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).

This technique involves using a maxillary expander to aid in the process. The DOME procedure widens the nasal floor, leading to improved breathing. It’s ideal for patients with a misaligned bite, a high arched palate, and no significant soft tissue excess in the soft palate.

A soft palate and uvula that are too long, thick, or floppy can cause the sounds of snoring or block the airway in OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Palate surgery, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, is a procedure that either removes or rearranges extra tissue in the palate to clear the airway.

This type of surgery is often very successful in stopping snoring and treating OSA when the issue is due to a floppy soft palate.

The genioglossus muscle plays a key role in keeping the tongue in place, as it’s connected to the inside part of the lower jaw. Genioglossus muscle advancement, or GTA (geniotubercle advancement), is a procedure that tightens this muscle at the tongue’s base to open up the airway.

This technique can help reduce snoring and improve Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Blockages behind the tongue are a big factor in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), in a part called the hypopharynx. We get good results by focusing surgery on this area. These surgeries can either make the tongue stiffer so it doesn’t collapse as much when you sleep, or they can take out parts of the tongue tissue like the lingual tonsils.

The hyoid is a U-shaped bone located above the voice box, connected to both the voice box and the tongue through muscles. Hyoid suspension is a procedure that moves the hyoid bone forward, which usually helps open up the space in the airway behind it. This method can be the main treatment, but it often supports other procedures.

In a sleep study, we count how many times there’s a partial blockage (hypopnea) or a complete blockage (apnea) in breathing and divide it by how long you slept. This gives us the AHI, which tells us how many times an hour these events happen.

For adults, having 0-4 events an hour is normal. Mild OSA means you have 5-14 events an hour. Moderate OSA is 15-29 events an hour, and severe OSA means 30 or more events an hour.

Deep sleep includes two main parts: slow-wave sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Slow-wave sleep is a kind of deep sleep without dreams where your brain processes learning and memory. During REM sleep, your body doesn’t move much except for your breathing and eyes. This is usually when you have the most dreams.

Yes, in someone with untreated sleep apnea, their airway can partly or fully block during sleep, leading to a drop in oxygen or a rise in carbon dioxide. This can cause a microarousal, a brief moment of lighter sleep that doesn’t always wake you up fully, spotted by looking at brain waves during a sleep study.

These microarousals can move you from deep to lighter sleep, preventing you from getting enough deep sleep throughout the night. Without treatment, this can lead to feeling like you’re always partially sleep-deprived.

1 in 5 adults have mild OSA
1 in 15 have moderate to severe OSA
9% of middle-aged women and 25% of middle-aged men suffer from OSA

Snoring is not merely a loud and bothersome noise; it can serve as an important indicator of a Sleep Breathing Disorder (SBD) that should not be taken lightly. It is estimated that around 42 million Americans are affected by SBDs.

One of the most prevalent types of SBD is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a medical condition in which the tongue and soft tissues obstruct the airway, preventing proper airflow into the lungs. Recognizing the potential seriousness of SBDs is crucial for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

• Mild OSA is found in 70% of heart attack patients.
• Sleep Apnea affects 86% of obese individuals with type 2 Diabetes.
• Hypertension is present in 43% of patients with mild OSA.
• Sleep Apnea is experienced by 48% of individuals with type 2 Diabetes.
• Drowsy driving causes around 100,000 car accidents annually.
• Individuals with Sleep Apnea are at a 4 times higher risk of stroke.
• Untreated Sleep Apnea can lead to memory problems, weight gain, impotence, and headaches.
• Over 20 years, untreated OSA can reduce survivability by 30% or more.
• Drowsy driving results in 100,000 car accidents, 40,000 injuries, and 1,550 deaths yearly.
• Approximately 38,000 deaths each year are associated with Sleep Apnea-related cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, and stroke.

A sleep doctor would say that sleep apnea usually can’t be fully cured, especially for severe cases. It’s something people manage over time, not get rid of completely.

The Nightlase treatment is a newer way to help with sleep apnea. It’s not like the CPAP machine that you use every night. Instead, Nightlase works on changing the shape of your mouth and airway slowly. This can make your sleep apnea better or even go away for some people.

It’s a hopeful option for those looking for something other than nightly machines or surgery, offering a chance at long-lasting improvement.

Many insurance plans cover sleep apnea treatment, including CPAP and oral appliances, but coverage can vary. Check with your provider.

Our Dentist is not just your regular dentists—he is highly qualified and ready to take on the challenge of multidisciplinary care for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. They hold a current dental licenses, but that’s not all! They have also received special training in Airway and Dental Sleep Medicine.

So rest assured, you’re in great hands with our experienced team of dental sleep medicine experts. Let’s get started on your journey to better sleep and improved breathing!