Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Our Procedures

Sleep Apnoea – A Common Problem

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common and serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during your sleep. The airway repeatedly becomes blocked, limiting the amount of air that reaches your lungs. When this happens, you may snore loudly or make choking noises as you try to breathe. Your brain and body become oxygen deprived and you may wake up, however often it goes unnoticed by ourselves and it is usually our partners that wake us first. This may happen a few times a night, or in more severe cases, several times a night.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

*

What Causes Sleep Apnoea?

In many cases, an apnoea, or temporary pause in breathing, is caused by the tissue in the back of the throat collapsing over the airway. The muscles of the upper airways relax when you fall asleep. If you sleep on your back, gravity can cause the tongue to fall back. This narrows the airway, which reduces the amount of air that can reach your lungs. The narrowed airway causes snoring by making the tissue in the back of the throat vibrate as you breathe.

Sleep apnoea can make you wake up in the morning feeling tired or unrefreshed even though you have had a full night of sleep. During the day, you may feel fatigued, have difficulty concentrating or you may even unintentionally, fall asleep due to lack of deep rem sleep during the night. The lack of oxygen your body receives can have negative long-term consequences for your health. This includes: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Stroke, Pre-diabetes and diabetes and Depression.

There are many people with sleep apnoea who have not been diagnosed or received treatment. A sleep medicine physician can diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea using an in-lab sleep study or a home sleep test. Sleep apnoea is manageable using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), the front-line treatment for sleep apnoea, oral appliance therapy or surgery.

More complex surgical procedures can adjust your bone structures including the jaw, nose and facial bones. This involves planned Orthognathic Surgery.

Need To Speak With Corrective Jaw Specialist?

Get In Touch

Genioplasty

Genioplasty Surgery

Our Procedures

Brisbane Genioplasty Surgery

The profile of the chin needs correction because the bones of the face and jaws are out of balance with each other. Surgery to change the position of the chin is called genioplasty. Genioplasty is often carried out at the same time as other corrective surgery on the jaws but also can be carried out at a later stage.

The genioplasty operation is carried out from the inside of the mouth so that there are no visible scars on the skin of the face. A cut is made through the gum on the inside of the lower lip to gain access to the lower jaw bone and chin. The chin is then cut with a small saw, to allow it to be broken in a controlled manner. It is then moved into its new position and held in place, with small metal plates and screws. The gum inside the mouth is stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches that can take 7-10 days to fall out.

The procedure takes place in a hospital. The discomfort is usually worse for the first few days although it may take a couple of weeks to completely disappear regular pain reliefs will be arranged. Patients are sent home with pain relief and a course of antibiotics.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

*

Recovery from Genioplasty Surgery

Immediately after the operation, the chin will feel swollen and tight. Swelling and bruising is variable but is generally worst on the second or third day after the operation. The swelling can be reduced by using cold compresses and sleeping propped upright for a few days. Most of the swelling has disappeared after a fortnight but there is often some subtle swelling that can take several months to disappear.

If a patient is having a genioplasty surgery carried out on its own they should have little problem with eating although they may well start with a soft diet and then gradually build up to normal food over a few days.

This obviously varies from person to person but most patients are only in the hospital for a night or two. The position of the chin will also be thoroughly be checked with X-rays before the patient is allowed home.

We recommend that most people have around a week off work if they are having a genioplasty suregry carried out.

Need To Speak With Corrective Jaw Specialist?

Get In Touch

Maxillary Osteotomy

Maxillary Osteotomy

Our Procedures

Brisbane Maxillary Osteotomy Surgery

This jaw procedure is planned when it is not possible to correct the teeth and how they bite together with orthodontics alone. This is because the bones of the face and jaws are out of balance with each other. Surgery will change the relationship between the lower jaw and upper jaw and will correct these problems. The Maxillary Osteotomy surgery will take place under a general anaesthetic, i.e. the patient is going to be put to sleep completely.

The operation is almost entirely carried out from the inside of the mouth to minimise visible scars on the skin of the face. A cut is made through the gum behind the back teeth to gain access to the jawbone. The upper jaw is then cut with a small saw to allow it to be separated in a controlled manner. It is then moved into its new position and held in place with small metal plates and screws.

The gum inside the mouth is stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches that can take a fortnight or even longer to fall out.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

*

Recovery from Maxillary Osteotomy

Immediately after the Maxillary Osteotomy operation the face will be swollen, feel tight and jaws will feel stiff. Patients find that they cannot open their mouth widely. The throat may also be uncomfortable and swallowing can be difficult initially.

Swelling and bruising is variable but is generally worst on the second or third day after the operation. The swelling can be reduced by using cold compresses and sleeping propped upright for a few days. Most of the swelling has disappeared after a fortnight but there is often some subtle swelling that can take several months to disappear.

Initially, for the first day or two patients will only want liquids, but very quickly they should be able to manage soft foods and then gradually build up to a normal diet over the next few weeks. This varies from person to person but most patients spend two or sometimes three nights in hospital after this operation. The position of the jaw will be checked with X-rays. Most people have around a week or two off work. Make sure that this is arranged prior to your Maxillary Osteotomy operation.
For more information on Maxillary Osteotomy Surgery or for a consult please ask your GP or dentist for a referral to Faciomax and book an appointment with our friendly team

Need To Speak With Corrective Jaw Specialist?

Get In Touch

Mandibular Osteotomy

Mandibular Osteotomy

Our Procedures

Mandibular Osteotomy Surgery

This procedure is planned when it is not possible to correct the teeth and how they bite together with orthodontics alone. This is because the bones of the face and jaws are out of balance with each other. Surgery will change the relationship between the lower jaw and upper jaw and will correct these problems. The surgery will take place under a general anaesthetic, i.e. the patient is going to be put to sleep completely.

The operation is almost entirely carried out from the inside of the mouth to minimise visible scars on the skin of the face. A cut is made through the gum behind the back teeth to gain access to the jawbone. The lower jaw is then cut with a small saw to allow it to be separated in a controlled manner. It is then moved into its new position and held in place with small metal plates and screws.

Occasionally it is necessary to make a small “stab” incision on the skin of the face to allow the screws to be inserted. This incision is a few millimetres long and usually only require a single stitch to hold it back together. The gum inside the mouth is stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches, that can take a fortnight or even longer to fall out.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

*

Recovery from Mandibular Osteotomy

The procedure takes place in a hospital. The discomfort is usually worse for the first few days, although it may take a couple of weeks to completely disappear regular pain reliefs will be arranged. Patients are sent home with pain relief and a course of antibiotics.

Immediately after the Mandibular Osteotomy operation the face will be swollen, feel tight and jaws will feel stiff. Patients find that they cannot open their mouth widely. The throat may also be uncomfortable and swallowing can be difficult initially.

Swelling and bruising is variable but is generally worst on the second or third day after the operation. The swelling can be reduced by using cold compresses and sleeping propped upright for a few days. Most of the swelling has disappeared after a fortnight but there is often some subtle swelling that can take several months to disappear.
Initially, for the first day or two patients will only want liquids, but very quickly they should be able to manage soft foods and then gradually build up to a normal diet over the next few weeks. This varies from person to person but most patients spend two or sometimes three nights, in hospital after this operation. The position of the jaw will be checked with X-rays.

Most people have around a week or two off work.  Make sure that this is arranged prior to the operation. For more information on Mandibular Osteotomy Surgery or for a consult please ask your GP or dentist for a referral to Faciomax and book an appointment with our friendly team.

Need To Speak With Corrective Jaw Specialist?

Get In Touch

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic Surgery

Our Procedures

Orthognathic Surgery In Brisbane

This surgery is performed on the jaws to put them into the correct position. This will improve a person’s ability to chew and talk. Breathing may become easier for some people. Orthognathic Surgery may also improve facial appearance.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

*

Abnormalities That Can Be Corrected

Jaw abnormalities that may be corrected with this jaw surgery include:

  • Jaws that are too large
  • Jaws that are too small
  • Jaw That is too far forward
  • A jaw that is too far back
  • Crooked Jaw
  • A significant gap between upper and lower front teeth
  • Your bite may be crooked

Causes can vary and may be present at birth, develop as you grow or be due to a disease or trauma to the face.
If you need orthognathic surgery, this is usually planned in conjunction with orthodontic treatment provided by your orthodontist/ dentist.
Your oral surgeon may recommend surgery if your jaw problem cannot be effectively treated by orthodontics alone.

Need To Speak With Corrective Jaw Specialist?

Get In Touch
ABOUT FACIOMAX

Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons treat a wide variety of diseases involving mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Our team of Brisbane Oral Surgeons are at the forefront of the latest surgical expertise and with our experience, we are able to provide an unparalleled excellent standard of care.

QUICK LINKS

Privacy Policy
Terms Of Use

 

FIND US AT
  • Level 5, Morris Towers
    149 Wickham Terrace
    Brisbane, QLD 4000
  • 07 3724 0319
  • reception@faciomax.com
Recent Posts
Faciomax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 2021. All Rights Reserved