orthognathic jaw surgery to solve retrognathia and OSAS

During the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) there is a decrease in the volume of the upper airway. This causes that, in the supine decubitus, and with the relaxation of the tissues during the sleep, obstructions to the passage of the air take place. The brain, noting that no air passes, reacts with a systemic alarm response that awakens the patient to resume breathing.

Risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)

There are factors that favor the possibility of suffering from the collapsibility of the upper airway and, therefore, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

• consumption of relaxants like alcohol
• neuromuscular diseases
• smoking
• overweight patients, by having a narrower upper airway

However, there are also certain facial patterns with a higher risk of suffering from SAOS. These patterns are called mandibular retrognathia and are formed by patients with small or retracted jaws , which tend to give a concave facial profile with little definition between the chin and the neck.. In these patients, the upper airway is constitutionally narrower and, therefore, with a higher risk of becoming obstructed during sleep.

Orthognathic surgery to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and mandibular retrognathia

The above-mentioned cases can be treated and easily solved with an orthognathic surgery called in which the expert in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will replenish the facial bones so that the dimensions of the upper airway expand.