We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, but if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), it may have been years since you woke up feeling truly rejuvenated. Fortunately, experienced oral surgeon Dr. Chris Tye provides a range of treatments for OSAS at his Fort Worth-area practice. Though he will usually begin with appliances to improve your breathing, there are several minimally invasive surgical options available.
With OSAS, your throat muscles, tongue, and/or soft palate relax too much, collapsing in your airways and blocking your breath. To resume normal breathing, you wake up dozens or even hundreds of times a night. Although you are most likely unaware of these cessations in your breathing and sleep, they will keep you from getting the full amount of rest you need.
Address OSAS to Protect Your Overall Health
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common condition. According to the American Association of Sleep Apnea, it affects an estimated 22 million people, with 80% of moderate to severe cases going undiagnosed. If you or your doctor believes that you may suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Untreated OSAS can cause numerous long-term health issues, including:
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Daytime sleepiness
- An increased risk for car accidents
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
Appliances to Treat Sleep Apnea
When you visit our outstanding oral surgeon at his Fort Worth office, he will first evaluate your candidacy for an oral appliance. He offers two types and will explain the benefits of both.
- CPAP Therapy: A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine assists breathing by delivering air through a mask over the mouth and nose. The gentle force of the air keeps airways open and prevents cessations in breathing.
- Bi-PAP Therapy: A Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure machine is similar to a CPAP device. However, it adjusts the amount of air pressure, administering different amounts for inhalation and exhalation. Bi-PAP machines are more frequently prescribed to patients with central sleep apnea, a neurological condition. Nonetheless, in some cases, they may be appropriate for those with OSAS.
Advanced Options from an Oral Surgeon in Fort Worth
If Dr. Tye determines that you need additional care, he may recommend surgery. Performed with great precision and advanced technology, these procedures can also address moderate to severe snoring, even if you do not suffer from OSAS.
- Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty: During this procedure, Dr. Tye will use a carbon dioxide laser to reshape the soft palate and uvula. Typically, he will perform this process multiple times at several week intervals.
- Pillar® Procedure: If needed, Dr. Tye can place three miniscule polyester implants in your soft palate. As the posts integrate with your tissues, they will stabilize the soft palate so that it no longer falls into your throat.
Schedule an Appointment with an Oral Surgeon in Fort Worth
With degrees in both medicine and dentistry, Dr. Tye is an outstanding choice for the treatment of your obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. As an oral surgeon in the Fort Worth area, he is proud to serve patients in Colleyville, Grapevine, and Southlake. Contact our office today to schedule your OSAS evaluation and to learn more about your treatment options, You can call us at (817) 552-3223 or reach us directly online.
