Sleep Apnea and Your Facial Structure
 Sleep apnea is more than just snoring—it’s a serious condition that can affect your breathing, sleep quality, and long-term health. At Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery, we take a comprehensive approach to evaluating and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially when it relates to structural issues in the jaw or facial anatomy. With offices in Charlotte and Gastonia, we help patients breathe better, sleep better, and live healthier.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, leading to repeated pauses in breathing. These interruptions can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night and are often caused by the collapse of soft tissues in the throat or structural limitations in the face or jaw.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
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Loud or chronic snoring
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Excessive daytime fatigue
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Morning headaches or dry mouth
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Gasping or choking during sleep
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Irritability or difficulty concentrating |
Left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders.
How Facial Structure Influences Sleep Apnea
The anatomy of your jaw, palate, and airway plays a critical role in the development of OSA. Many patients with structurally narrow airways are more prone to obstruction while sleeping.
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Recessed Lower Jaw (Mandibular Retrognathia) - A jaw that sits too far back can cause the tongue and soft tissues to collapse into the airway.
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Narrow Palate - A high-arched or constricted palate can reduce upper airway space.
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Short or Small Jaw - Limited jawbone development can crowd the airway.
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Large Tongue or Tonsils - Excess soft tissue in the mouth or throat may block airflow.
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Facial Asymmetry or Skeletal Imbalance - May contribute to compromised breathing passages. |
In many cases, these issues are inherited or develop during childhood, but they can also result from trauma or previous surgery.
Diagnosis and Imaging for Structural Sleep Apnea Causes
At Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery, we use advanced imaging to assess how your facial structure may be affecting your breathing during sleep. Cone beam CT scans and airway evaluations allow us to identify anatomical restrictions that standard sleep studies may not fully reveal.
This structural understanding is critical for developing treatment plans tailored to your unique facial and skeletal anatomy.
Surgical Solutions for Structural Sleep Apnea
For patients whose sleep apnea is rooted in jaw or facial anatomy, surgical intervention may offer a long-term and often permanent solution. We specialize in procedures designed to open the airway by repositioning or reshaping bone and soft tissues.
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Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) - A surgical procedure that moves the upper and lower jaws forward to enlarge the airway space.
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Genioglossus Advancement - Repositions the muscle that anchors the tongue to prevent it from collapsing backward.
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Palatal or Pharyngeal Procedures - Can reduce tissue volume and obstruction.
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Orthognathic Surgery - Corrects skeletal imbalances that contribute to airway obstruction.
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Temporary Airway Stenting (if applicable) - For diagnostic or trial purposes before more permanent surgery. |
These surgeries are carefully planned and performed with the goal of reducing or eliminating sleep apnea without the need for CPAP long term.
When to Consider Surgical Evaluation
Surgical treatment for sleep apnea may be appropriate when:
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CPAP is ineffective or intolerable
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Sleep studies indicate moderate to severe OSA
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Imaging reveals structural jaw or airway issues
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Other therapies (oral appliances, weight loss) haven’t worked
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There is concern for long-term health impact from untreated apnea |
During your consultation at one of our Charlotte or Gastonia offices, we’ll help you understand your airway anatomy and recommend the safest and most effective course of action.
Why Choose Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery for Sleep Apnea Care?
As specialists in jaw and facial anatomy, we’re uniquely equipped to evaluate and correct the structural causes of sleep apnea. We work closely with sleep physicians, ENTs, and primary care providers to deliver comprehensive and coordinated care.
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Expertise in Facial Structure - We specialize in correcting jaw misalignments and skeletal airway obstructions.
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Advanced Diagnostics - 3D imaging and airway modeling to guide treatment.
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Board-Certified Surgeons - Highly trained in sleep apnea-related surgical interventions.
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Collaborative Approach - We coordinate with your medical team for accurate diagnosis and follow-up.
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Accessible Locations - Serving patients from two Charlotte offices and one Gastonia location. |
If your sleep apnea has a structural cause, we’re here to help you breathe easier and sleep better—safely and permanently.
FAQs
Can a misaligned jaw really cause sleep apnea?
Yes. A recessed or underdeveloped jaw can reduce airway space and contribute to airway collapse during sleep, making it a structural cause of obstructive sleep apnea.
What is maxillomandibular advancement surgery?
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery repositions the upper and lower jaws forward, increasing the size of the airway. It’s one of the most effective surgical treatments for severe OSA caused by anatomical restriction.
Do I still need a CPAP machine after jaw surgery?
Many patients no longer need CPAP after successful surgery, particularly when the procedure corrects the underlying structural cause of their sleep apnea. However, a post-op sleep study is usually needed to confirm results.
Is jaw surgery the only option for treating structural sleep apnea?
Not always. Depending on the severity and cause of your apnea, oral appliances, soft tissue procedures, or lifestyle changes may help. We offer consultations to determine the best solution based on your anatomy and symptoms. |
