Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Option #1: Oral Applaince Therapy

Advantages:

• More comfortable than CPAP Machines

• Small and convenient making them easy to carry when traveling

• Treatment is reversible and non-invasive

• Easy to wear once acclimated to wearing the appliance

• Quiet and easily adjustable

• No Electricity required

Disadvantages of Oral Appliances

• Excessive salivation or dryness

• Morning soreness in the teeth or jaw muscles

• Tooth or jaw movements (mostly minor)

Option #2 CPAP Therapy

Advantages of CPAP Machines

• Single most effective treatment

• Steady flow of air keeps your airway open

Disadvantages of CPAP Machines

• Claustrophobia

• Nasal Congestion and dryness

• Must wear a mask

• May need a full mask if you are a mouth breather

• You are attached to the machine

• Your mask may float on your face if the air pressure is not regulated correctly

Option # 3 Surgical Internevtion

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

 Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgical treatment for snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. During an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty the surgeon removes the uvula (the fleshy "glob" of tissue that hangs at the back of the throat).

Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Tonsillectomy,

• Tonsillectomy to remove enlarged tonsils. Adenoidectomy, or the removal of enlarged adenoids, may also improve OSA symptoms and snoring in some people.

 Somnoplasty

• uses high frequency radio waves to shrink the tongue and the soft palate.

Pillar procedure.

• The Pillar procedure inserts three palatal implants into the soft palate. The palatal implants reduce soft palate vibrations, which in turn reduces the severity of snoring and sleep apnea.