Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes while you sleep, temporarily restricting airflow even though your body continues trying to breathe. Your anatomy, muscle activity, sleeping position, and other factors can all contribute to this obstruction. At Sultan Center for Oral Facial Surgery, Dr. Leslie Sultan evaluates the structural causes of sleep apnea to determine which treatment may provide meaningful, long-term improvement.
Why Does Your Airway Narrow During Sleep?
While you’re awake, muscles surrounding your tongue and throat help keep your airway open. These muscles naturally relax during sleep. If your airway is already narrow because of your anatomy, that relaxation may allow soft tissues to move inward and partially or completely block airflow.
When obstruction occurs repeatedly, your brain briefly responds so that normal breathing can resume. This cycle may happen many times throughout the night, interfering with restorative sleep and contributing to lower oxygen levels.
How Does Your Anatomy Affect Sleep Apnea?
OSA isn’t caused by a single anatomical problem. Several structures can contribute to airway obstruction, including the tongue, soft palate, throat tissues, and jaws.
The position and dimensions of your jaws can be particularly important. A retruded or undersized lower jaw may leave less room for the tongue and surrounding tissues. During sleep, these structures can move backward toward the throat, further narrowing an already restricted airway.
This is one reason a detailed evaluation matters. Treating snoring alone doesn’t necessarily address the anatomical obstruction responsible for OSA.
What Other Factors Can Contribute to Airway Collapse?
Excess tissue around the neck and throat may further narrow the airway. Alcohol and certain sedating medications can increase relaxation of airway muscles, while sleeping on your back may allow gravity to pull the tongue and soft tissues backward.
OSA can therefore involve several contributing factors, making individualized diagnosis important before deciding on treatment.
Can Surgery Address the Structural Cause of OSA?
For appropriately selected patients, surgery can address anatomical factors contributing to airway obstruction. One option is maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), which advances the upper and lower jaws to enlarge the airway and reduce its tendency to collapse during sleep.
As an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Sultan has expertise in facial skeletal anatomy, jaw surgery, and surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Advanced imaging and careful surgical planning allow him to evaluate your airway and determine whether a structural treatment may be appropriate.
Contact Sultan Center for Oral Facial Surgery in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 771-8772 to explore your options.
