Uppp & Laup Snoring Surgery Methods

It's no secret that sleep apnea can be extremely disruptive to your everyday life, and with an industry wide average of 5.4 million Americans suffering from it, snoring is almost a given. But there is help for you! Our blog post will discuss the various surgical methods for overcoming snoring, as well as the results which each has been shown to produce. You'll know what you're getting into when our interactive quiz at the end tells you how likely your insurance may be to cover it—and suitability for surgery could change according to medical history, too.

Here's an overview of the treats and pitfalls for each method:

First, let's talk about the most common and effective treatment method for snoring, Mandibular Advancement Surgery: (henceforth known as "Mandibular Arthroplasty").

What does it do?

The purpose of Mandibular Advancement Surgery is to create a better throat communication channel between airway and lungs. Perhaps that sounds like a vague or unknown goal, but there are two main things that your surgeon is trying to accomplish with this surgery. One of these goals is to relieve upper airway obstruction. The other goal is to strengthen soft tissue structures which control airflow so that they can perform more effectively.

What kind of problems will it solve?

Mandibular Advancement Surgery is typically done in patients between 40 and 70 years of age who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. But that's not all. Mandibular Advancement Surgery is also effective in patients who have mandibular misalignment, either forward, downward, or both. So what happens if you're a non-smoker? How about if you've had other treatments for snoring? Basically, the more severe your case is and the older you are, the more likely it will be that your insurance may pay for this surgery.

How does it work?

The surgery is performed inside the mouth. The surgeon will make an incision to access the lower jaw, and then carefully remove tissue until there's a sufficient amount of room for the lower airway. However, they'll also be careful not to change the upper airway—in other words, they won't make new incisions in your mouth or peel back your tongue so as not to disturb that part of your body during the procedure.

Once a suitable space has been achieved within the lower jaw, a small device called an implant will be placed. This device is usually made of titanium, and serves as a supportive structure for one or more bones which have been removed. The goal is always to correct the airway obstruction and strengthen the soft tissue structures which control airflow so that they can function better.

How long does it take?

Since this surgery has to be performed while you're awake, it will require an overnight hospital stay. There's also recovery time after your surgery, so you'll need to observe your daily activities carefully for at least several weeks following the procedure.

How does the surgery work?

This is where it gets a little technical, but stick with it. Basically, there's a host of different things which your surgeon can do to help your upper airway and weakened soft tissue structures. They can use grafts to add new cartilage, or remove part of your own bone from another part of your body and use that as replacement material. The most common implants used are either titanium screws or a combination of screws and bone grafts. The titanium screws are tiny and very strong, while bone grafts are actually small pieces of bone which are lost or removed during surgery. But they can both be useful in reducing upper airway obstruction in sleep apnea patients. Most patients will have a titanium implant for the throat, and a bone graft for the nose.

Does this surgery make me more likely to snore?

No… but it can strengthen your soft tissue structures, which can help your airway breathe better (and this helps to reduce snoring).

What's not to like?

Mandibular Advancement Surgery is often considered one of the most intrusive and difficult procedures that sleep apnea doctors perform. It involves cutting into your gum, lip, and jawbone—not exactly an easy procedure for a dental hygienist with limited training. Your teeth will also be extracted before the surgery as part of the process. And so you must also be prepared to deal with the well-meaning but sometimes meddlesome family members who may not understand why you need some of your teeth taken out. So it does take a certain amount of courage to include this surgical method in your treatment plan for snoring.

But there's another downside which can be embarrassing, too. You will have a visible scar on your upper palate (the roof of your mouth) for the rest of your life. You won't even realize that you have one until another patient mentions it, and then you're left with this image as a permanent part of your memory from that day on.

What are the success rates and risks?

It's estimated that 86% of patients who undergo Mandibular Advancement Surgery are able to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Of course, this is entirely dependent on how severe your ailments were before you had the surgery. And there are also certain medical conditions which need to be controlled before you can undergo this surgery. So be sure to consult a doctor before deciding if this procedure is right for you!

There's also a very real risk that your temporary hoarseness will never go away at all. If you've had a lot of surgeries, there's also the possibility that you won't be able to speak clearly enough for your implant to work as intended. And usually, this risk is felt by patients who are older and have had these issues for a long time.

Then there are things like flashbacks, having some of your original upper teeth restored, and complex implants which may add additional risks to your surgery. So keep all of these risks in mind before making a decision to have Mandibular Advancement Surgery.

What's the cost?

The cost of Mandibular Advancement Surgery will vary depending on where you live, your age, how much insurance cover you have, and how soon the surgery is needed. It's usually between $8,000 and $10,000.

Where can I expect to have the surgery?

Your surgeon may recommend that you have this performed at a hospital where there are more advanced medical facilities in case of an emergency. But most surgeons perform this surgery at their private offices. So check to see if your doctor has a surgery center which serves as a place for other surgeons to practice their skills as well.

The Bottom Line?

So does this mean that you have to have surgery if you're one of those people who suffers from sleep apnea and snoring? Well, it really depends on whether or not you're willing to endure the risks involved with having a surgical procedure like this.

Conclusion

This is an extremely invasive surgery which is best left to those people who are extremely frustrated by their snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. If you've already received a lot of treatment options, then Mandibular Advancement Surgery may be the last step in your treatment process. But if it isn't right for you, then you should make sure that your surgeon is performing this operation with the highest level of care and expertise in order to protect your voice. You should also make sure that you have a good sleep apnea specialist who can diagnose your case, give you the proper evaluation, and recommend a course of action to help eliminate this condition from your life.