Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring can be a socially embarrassing problem, but sleep apnea is a condition that can severely impact your health.

People suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) experience interrupted sleep, which may also be accompanied by intermittent drops in blood oxygen levels. This leads to chronic fatigue with daytime drowsiness and, in the most severe cases, can be life-threatening, for example, while driving motor vehicles.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The anatomy of the base of the tongue is partly responsible for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The narrowing of the upper airways (at the mouth level) can be due to genetic factors (individual anatomy) but can also be influenced by external factors such as being overweight, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

A poor jaw position (such as a receding chin) can also cause or worsen sleep apnea syndrome.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring is primarily caused by the narrowing of the airways, leading to an accelerated airflow. This causes the vibration of soft tissues (palate and uvula), which is perceived as snoring.

Solutions for Treating Snoring/Sleep Apnea

Several techniques and treatments are available depending on the cause of the snoring. These can be surgical or non-surgical.

In all cases, the first step is to identify the cause(s) of the problem through an appropriate consultation with a Maxillofacial Surgeon, a Pulmonologist, or an ENT specialist.

Generally, these three medical specialties are involved in the comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of this type of condition.

The Maxillofacial Consultation:

It allows for a detailed evaluation of the anatomical relationships between your jaws and the airways, highlighting potential areas of narrowing that may explain the symptoms you are experiencing (snoring, sleep disturbances, obstructive apnea).

An additional cone beam CT scan may be offered during the consultation. It helps to highlight the volumes of the upper airways, their morphology, and the relationships between the position of your jaws and the space behind your palate and at the base of the tongue.

Generally, a complete ENT examination should be performed to rule out an obstruction in the sinuses or nose. An ambulatory polygraph (performed by the pulmonologist) can identify breathing disorders during the night (apneas/hypopneas) and quantify the decrease in oxygenation and associated cardiovascular risk.

Following this, various therapeutic options will be discussed on a case-by-case basis, including:

  • A positive pressure mask (CPAP)
  • A mandibular advancement device
  • ENT surgery (nasal septum, sinuses, tonsils)
  • Maxillofacial surgery (jaw repositioning surgery).