Struggling With Sleep Apnea? Surgical Solutions Are Available.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is more than just snoring—it’s a serious condition that affects your ability to breathe during sleep, causing frequent oxygen drops, sleep disruption, and long-term health risks.

At Sunridge Oral Surgery, we offer expert evaluation and surgical treatment options for patients suffering from sleep apnea, especially those who haven’t found relief with conservative treatments like CPAP.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

In people with OSA, the airway becomes blocked during sleep—often when the tongue collapses against the back of the throat. This interruption in airflow leads to:

• Low blood oxygen levels 
• Gasping or choking sounds during sleep 
• Brief awakenings that prevent deep, restful sleep 
• Repeated cycles of disrupted breathing throughout the night 

These patterns can lead to daytime fatigue, memory and concentration problems, mood changes, and increased risk for serious conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

How Do We Diagnose and Assess Sleep Apnea?

The first step is recognizing symptoms such as:

• Loud snoring 
• Gasping for air at night 
• Morning headaches 
• Daytime drowsiness or brain fog 

During your consultation, we’ll:

• Review your sleep and health history 
• Evaluate your airway using 3D imaging (CBCT scan) 
• Refer for a sleep study if needed to assess oxygen levels and sleep disruption 
• In some cases, coordinate with other specialists for fiber-optic airway evaluation 

When Is Surgery Recommended?

Not everyone with OSA needs surgery. Many people find relief using a CPAP machine, which keeps the airway open at night with gentle air pressure.

However, if CPAP doesn’t work—or the obstruction is more severe—we may recommend jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to correct the anatomical cause of the airway blockage.

Surgical Treatment: Jaw Repositioning

This procedure involves repositioning the upper and/or lower jaws to enlarge the airway and improve airflow during sleep. It’s performed in a hospital under general anesthesia and typically requires a 1–2 day stay.

Benefits can include:

• Significant improvement in breathing during sleep 
• Reduction or elimination of CPAP use 
• Better oxygenation, better sleep, and better long-term health 

Sleep Apnea Is Serious—But Treatable

OSA affects more than just sleep—it can impact your heart, brain, and overall well-being. Getting the right treatment can dramatically improve your quality of life.

Want to Learn More?

For more detailed information, visit the Calgary Oral Surgery Group’s Surgical Treatment of Sleep Apnea page.

Book a Consultation

If you’ve been diagnosed with OSA—or suspect you may have it—call Sunridge Oral Surgery today. We’ll help you understand your options and explore whether surgical treatment is the right next step.