At Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, Dr. L.T. Johnson helps patients reclaim restful sleep through advanced, personalized care. A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he ensures everyone receives safe and effective treatment.

How Jaw Surgery Helps with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when soft tissues in the throat collapse and block the airway during sleep. Jaw surgery expands the airway by physically moving the jaws forward. This:

• Reduces airway obstruction
• Improves airflow during sleep
• Lowers apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
• Can reduce or eliminate the need for CPAP

For patients with severe sleep apnea who haven’t responded to non-surgical treatments, MMA is one of the most effective long-term options.

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a candidate for jaw surgery if:

• You have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
• CPAP therapy and oral appliances haven’t worked or aren’t tolerated.
• Imaging reveals a small or recessed jaw, which contributes to your condition.
• Your sleep specialist or ENT recommends surgical intervention.

At OFSIH, we conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure that jaw surgery is the right fit for you. Our team considers your medical history, sleep study results, airway imaging, and personal treatment goals.

What to Expect After Jaw Surgery

For many people with sleep apnea, jaw surgery offers a long-term or even permanent solution. By enlarging the airway structure itself, MMA addresses the source of the obstruction.

Studies, including a meta-analysis published by JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, show significant reductions in AHI after surgery, with sustained results over time. While individual outcomes vary, most patients experience lasting relief and an improvement in sleep quality.

Schedule a Sleep Apnea Consultation in Houston

Don’t let sleep apnea continue to impact your health and quality of life. Contact Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston today to learn if jaw surgery is right for you. Get in touch with us at 281-491-4545 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Johnson. Better sleep starts here.

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Do you wake up with a sore jaw or headaches? Have you noticed differences in your bite or how your teeth come together? These issues could be connected to 

At the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, Dr. L.T. Johnson and his skilled team have helped countless individuals across Houston, Sugar Land, and Katy improve their oral health and general well-being by addressing sleep apnea. Their dedication to precision and patient care makes them a trusted name in the community.

The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Jaw Position

Sleep apnea often involves the collapse of soft tissues at the back of the throat, which blocks the airway during sleep. To compensate, your body may subconsciously reposition the lower jaw forward to open the airway. Over time, this repeated movement can alter your jaw alignment and bite.

Common effects include:

• A shifting bite (also known as malocclusion)
• Jaw tension or soreness, especially in the morning
• Increased wear on teeth from grinding or clenching

Teeth Grinding and Jaw Strain

Bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding, is frequently linked to sleep apnea. As your body struggles for air, your facial and jaw muscles tighten. You might not even realize this is happening.

Over time, this can cause:

• Worn-down teeth
• Muscle fatigue or jaw joint inflammation
• Clicking or popping in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

These dental signs are often clues a specialist uses to identify potential sleep-related disorders.

Long-Term Changes in Facial Structure

Untreated airway obstruction may also influence facial development, particularly in children and teens. Adults might notice gradual shifts in facial symmetry or bite alignment as jaw muscles overcompensate.

How Can Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Help?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon like Dr. Johnson can assess your jaw structure and airway to determine if anatomical issues are contributing to sleep apnea or misalignment. Through procedures such as corrective jaw surgery or airway-focused treatments, they can improve breathing during sleep while addressing bite-related concerns.

Enjoy Better Rest and Oral Health Today

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect how you sleep. It can change how your jaw functions and how your teeth fit together. If you’re struggling with discomfort, shifting teeth, or jaw tension, a dental evaluation could offer valuable answers.

Schedule a visit with the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston to explore your options. Call (281) 491-4545 or send us a message.

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Sleep apnea

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Ignoring sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep—it can lead to serious health issues over time. Some of the most concerning risks include:

• Heart and Circulatory Problems: Sleep apnea places extra strain on your cardiovascular system, increasing your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
• Blood Sugar Issues: Low-quality sleep can negatively impact insulin resistance, making diabetes harder to control.
• Memory and Cognitive Decline: Ongoing sleep disruptions are associated with difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and even the potential for developing dementia.
• Chronic Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion due to poor sleep quality can lead to decreased productivity, increased accident risks, and negative impacts on your mood and mental health.

Beyond these health risks, sleep apnea can also strain relationships due to issues like loud snoring or restless nights, affecting both you and your loved ones.

Seek Treatment Early

Addressing sleep apnea early is key to preventing these complications and improving your quality of life. Treatment options are varied and include both surgical and non-surgical approaches that address the underlying causes of the condition. For many individuals, tailored solutions such as airway modifications or oral surgical treatments provide long-term relief and restore restful sleep.

At the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, we use cutting-edge, highly personalized techniques and a patient-centered approach to develop quality care plans. Our goal is to help you regain healthy, uninterrupted sleep and enhance your overall well-being.

Take Charge of Your Sleep and Health

Don’t let untreated sleep apnea disrupt your life. The Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, located in Houston, TX, is here to provide effective care and lasting solutions. Call us at 281-491-4545 or visit our sleep apnea page to schedule your consultation. Start your journey toward better sleep and improved health today.

The post What Happens if Sleep Apnea is Left Untreated? appeared first on Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston.

Do you or a loved one experience loud snoring, gasping for air while sleeping, or excessive daytime fatigue? If so, you may be dealing with 

At the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, we believe it’s essential to understand the risks associated with untreated sleep apnea – especially regarding heart health. Learn more about the connection in this blog.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea involves excessive relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep. This blocks the airway. It also leads to repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night, often without the person knowing it.

These interruptions disrupt sleep and stress the heart and other vital organs.

The Heart-Sleep Apnea Connection

Research has shown a strong link between sleep apnea and various heart conditions.

When breathing is interrupted, the oxygen levels in the blood drop. This triggers a stress response in the body. The stress causes an increase in blood pressure and can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

Over time, the strain on the cardiovascular system can contribute to more severe conditions. This includes hypertension, heart failure, and even stroke.

One of the most concerning aspects of untreated sleep apnea is its ability to worsen existing heart problems. For instance, those with hypertension may find it harder to control their blood pressure.

Additionally, the risk of atrial fibrillation, a common type of irregular heartbeat, is higher in people with sleep apnea.

The Importance of Treatment

Given the serious risks associated with sleep apnea, seeking treatment is crucial.

Options such as CPAP therapy, which uses a machine to keep your airway open during sleep, or oral appliances that adjust the position of the jaw can reduce the strain on your heart. In some cases, you may also need surgical interventions to address underlying causes.

Schedule a Consultation in Houston Today

Protecting your heart health starts with addressing your sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or have already been diagnosed, the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston is here to help.

Schedule a consultation today by calling 281-491-4545. You can also fill out our online form.

The post Sleep Apnea and Heart Health: What’s the Connection? appeared first on Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

People with sleep apnea suffer from periodic upper airway obstructions. As they doze, their upper respiratory tracts become blocked. This tends to happen repeatedly, meaning their breathing halts and restarts over and over.

Sleep Apnea Variants

Sleep apnea is common, but not every case is the same. There are two main variants:

• Central sleep apnea: This condition involves your brain failing to send the proper messages to your airway and chest muscles.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: This type of sleep apnea happens when something restricts your airway. For instance, you might have naturally large tonsils. Conditions like obesity or changing hormones can also be risk factors.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect You?

One result of having sleep apnea is that your body might not get the oxygen it needs. You might also snore or produce sounds that disturb your partner.

Many sleep apnea sufferers find they don’t feel well rested. This can make it difficult to focus and go about your daily business safely. These outcomes have major negative impacts on your quality of life and health.

How Can You Treat Sleep Apnea?

Effective sleep apnea treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Your caregiver may ask you to participate in a sleep study to observe what happens when you snooze, including recording your vitals.

After being diagnosed, you’ll have a few options. Some patients use continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines to help them breathe smoothly. Others undergo surgical interventions designed to remedy whatever’s behind their apnea.

Some people find that lifestyle changes go a long way. For instance, quitting smoking can reduce the inflammation in your airways to help you breathe easier. Simple changes like sleeping on your side may also work.

Learn More About Your Sleep Apnea at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston

There are lots of ways to deal with sleep apnea. However, it’s critical to consult a caregiver to choose the best solution for you.

Find out where you stand and how your life could improve by talking to the experts at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston. Visit in person by booking an appointment online or by calling 281-491-4545.

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