Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder in which the muscles and soft tissues of the upper airway repeatedly collapse during sleep, blocking airflow and causing brief but recurring episodes of stopped breathing. The condition affects more than 22 million Americans according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is associated with significantly elevated risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents from chronic daytime fatigue. While many patients are successfully managed with CPAP therapy or oral appliances, others continue to struggle with poor sleep quality, mask intolerance, or progressive symptoms — and for those patients, surgical intervention to address the underlying anatomical causes of airway obstruction often provides the most durable, long-term relief.
Dr. David Salehani is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the rare distinction of holding both a DDS and an MD — credentials that give him the comprehensive training required to evaluate and surgically treat the airway anatomy responsible for obstructive sleep apnea. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from State University of New York at Stony Brook, his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook School of Medicine, and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Salehani serves as faculty at UCLA Medical Center, has held a seat on the peer review board of the Los Angeles Dental Society for over seven years, and is past president of the Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry — credentials that allow him to coordinate care with sleep medicine physicians, pulmonologists, and ENT specialists for a complete, multidisciplinary approach to each patient’s diagnosis and treatment.
Surgical Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
- Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): One of the most effective surgical treatments for moderate to severe OSA — the upper and lower jaws are repositioned forward to expand the airway behind the tongue and soft palate, with reported success rates above 90 percent in well-selected candidates.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removal or repositioning of excess tissue in the soft palate, uvula, and throat walls to widen the airway, most effective for patients whose obstruction is primarily at the palate level.
- Genioglossus Advancement: Repositioning of the tongue muscle attachment on the lower jaw to pull the tongue forward, increasing airway space at the back of the mouth.
- Tongue Base Reduction: Reduction or repositioning of tissue at the base of the tongue when this region contributes significantly to airway collapse.
- Combination Procedures: Many patients benefit from a combined approach addressing multiple regions of obstruction in a single coordinated surgical plan.
Who Is a Candidate for Sleep Apnea Surgery?
Surgical candidacy is established through a comprehensive evaluation that includes a sleep study (polysomnogram), 3D imaging of the upper airway, clinical examination, and review of any prior CPAP or oral appliance therapy. Ideal candidates include patients with documented moderate to severe OSA who cannot tolerate or have not responded to CPAP, patients whose airway obstruction has a clear anatomical cause such as a recessed jaw or excess soft palate tissue, and patients who want a long-term solution rather than ongoing nightly therapy. For patients whose sleep apnea is linked to jaw position, orthognathic surgery in the form of MMA addresses both the breathing problem and any related bite or facial-balance concerns in a single procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Surgery
Will I still need CPAP after surgery?
Many patients are able to discontinue CPAP after successful surgery, particularly with MMA — others may experience significant improvement in apnea severity that allows for reduced CPAP pressures or use of a less intensive treatment, with outcomes confirmed by a post-surgical sleep study.
How long is the recovery after MMA?
Most MMA patients experience significant swelling for two to three weeks, follow a soft or liquid diet for the first month, and return to non-strenuous work at three to four weeks — full bone healing takes six to eight weeks, with continued symptom improvement over the following months.
Will my insurance cover sleep apnea surgery?
Sleep apnea surgery is typically covered by medical insurance when documented criteria are met — including a sleep study confirming OSA and prior trial of CPAP or oral appliance therapy — and the practice’s billing team works directly with insurance to coordinate authorization before treatment.
Is sleep apnea surgery painful?
All sleep apnea surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so there is no discomfort during the procedure — post-operative pain is well managed with prescription medication and typically improves significantly after the first week.
How is candidacy for surgery determined?
A comprehensive evaluation that includes a sleep study, 3D airway imaging, and clinical examination determines which surgical approach — if any — is most likely to produce a meaningful result for each individual patient.
Can sleep apnea surgery improve my facial appearance?
For patients undergoing MMA, the forward repositioning of the jaws often produces a meaningful improvement in facial profile and balance — many patients consider this a welcome aesthetic side effect of the functional surgery.
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Surgical Consultation in West Hollywood
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and are exploring surgical treatment options, contact Sunset Oral and Facial Surgery at (310) 275-3635 to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Salehani at our West Hollywood office, serving patients throughout Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and the surrounding communities.
