Sleep Apnea Surgery

Surgical treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea when conservative therapies have not provided sufficient relief.

LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY

Better breathing, chewing, confidence, and quality of life.

This is one of the most life-changing surgeries we do. Patients usually come from an orthodontist or a sleep medicine clinic, and many look better, chew better, and breathe better for the rest of their lives after surgery.

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I can’t believe this is what it feels like to breathe out of my nose.

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I’ve never felt self-confident until now. I finally feel like I look like myself.

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I’ve never been able to bite into a salad or pizza in my life until now.

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This is the first time I’ve slept in the same room as my wife since we were married.

See real results from real patients

Every case is different. Browse our before-and-after gallery to see real outcomes from real Bluebird patients and get a clearer picture of what surgery can achieve for you.

View Patient Examples

AIRWAY MECHANICS

How lower jaw advancement can open the airway

Even lower jaw surgery alone can create meaningful airway change. Advancing the mandible brings the tongue base and soft-tissue attachments forward. When combined with osseous genioglossus advancement, also called a genioplasty, the muscle attachment that helps support the tongue is advanced with the chin bone, helping pull the tongue forward and enlarge the airway behind it.

The goal is not only cosmetic chin or jaw movement — it is a functional airway expansion that can improve breathing during sleep.

Airway comparison after lower jaw advancement and genioglossus advancement

Example airway change after mandibular advancement and osseous genioglossus advancement.

SLEEP APNEA SURGERY EDUCATION

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy: airway before and after surgery

This DISE video shows the size of the airway before treatment and immediately after maxillomandibular advancement surgery. It helps demonstrate how jaw advancement can physically enlarge the airway behind the palate and tongue.

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Sleep apnea surgery overview

Sleep apnea surgery at Bluebird is customized to each patient’s anatomy and severity of obstruction. We offer advanced surgical procedures for patients who have not found relief through CPAP or other non-surgical approaches, and work in collaboration with your sleep medicine team.

Sleep apnea surgery at Bluebird is customized to each patient’s anatomy and severity of obstruction. We offer advanced surgical procedures for patients who have not found relief through CPAP or other non-surgical approaches, and work in collaboration with your sleep medicine team.

Airway and sleep basics

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur when soft tissue, tongue position, or jaw anatomy narrows the airway during sleep. Surgical evaluation focuses on identifying where the airway collapses and which approach is most likely to improve breathing. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy can help localize obstruction, while maxillomandibular advancement repositions the upper and lower jaws to enlarge the airway. Surgical treatment is typically considered when CPAP or appliance therapy is not tolerated or does not adequately control symptoms.

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur when soft tissue, tongue position, or jaw anatomy narrows the airway during sleep. Surgical evaluation focuses on identifying where the airway collapses and which approach is most likely to improve breathing. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy can help localize obstruction, while maxillomandibular advancement repositions the upper and lower jaws to enlarge the airway. Surgical treatment is typically considered when CPAP or appliance therapy is not tolerated or does not adequately control symptoms.

Surgical treatment details

Sleep Apnea Surgery details

Maxillomandibular advancement

Maxillomandibular advancement moves the upper and lower jaws forward to enlarge the airway behind the palate and tongue. It can be an effective option for patients whose airway anatomy contributes to obstructive sleep apnea.

Maxillomandibular advancement moves the upper and lower jaws forward to enlarge the airway behind the palate and tongue. It can be an effective option for patients whose airway anatomy contributes to obstructive sleep apnea.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE)

DISE allows the airway to be evaluated while a patient is sedated in a sleep-like state. This helps identify the level and pattern of collapse so treatment can be matched to the patient’s anatomy.

DISE allows the airway to be evaluated while a patient is sedated in a sleep-like state. This helps identify the level and pattern of collapse so treatment can be matched to the patient’s anatomy.

How Jaw Surgery Improves the Airway

By correcting the underlying bone position that narrows the airway, orthognathic (jaw) surgery can significantly improve chronic mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, and poor sleep quality with daytime fatigue. Unlike removable devices or soft-tissue adjuncts that offer temporary relief, repositioning the jaws addresses the root cause for a long-term solution.

By correcting the underlying bone position that narrows the airway, orthognathic (jaw) surgery can significantly improve chronic mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, and poor sleep quality with daytime fatigue. Unlike removable devices or soft-tissue adjuncts that offer temporary relief, repositioning the jaws addresses the root cause for a long-term solution.

Orthodontics or No Orthodontics

For patients with sleep apnea who already have a healthy bite and good dental alignment, surgery can often be performed without braces or aligners. When orthodontics is needed, we coordinate with any orthodontist in Central Oregon, using braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign®, with close communication on surgical timing.

For patients with sleep apnea who already have a healthy bite and good dental alignment, surgery can often be performed without braces or aligners. When orthodontics is needed, we coordinate with any orthodontist in Central Oregon, using braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign®, with close communication on surgical timing.

Digital Surgical Planning

We use Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and advanced 3D imaging to plan your surgery precisely, with simulated outcomes beforehand, shorter operating time, more predictable healing, and custom titanium plates for select cases. When appropriate, surgery is performed on-site in our office with personalized anesthesia and multimodal, narcotic-sparing pain management.

We use Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and advanced 3D imaging to plan your surgery precisely, with simulated outcomes beforehand, shorter operating time, more predictable healing, and custom titanium plates for select cases. When appropriate, surgery is performed on-site in our office with personalized anesthesia and multimodal, narcotic-sparing pain management.

How MMA Compares — The Evidence

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) moves the upper and lower jaws forward to physically enlarge the airway, addressing the skeletal cause of obstruction. Across published studies, MMA has one of the highest and most durable success rates of any treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The approximate figures below are drawn from the medical literature and reflect typical ranges — individual results vary based on anatomy, severity, and adherence.

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) moves the upper and lower jaws forward to physically enlarge the airway, addressing the skeletal cause of obstruction. Across published studies, MMA has one of the highest and most durable success rates of any treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The approximate figures below are drawn from the medical literature and reflect typical ranges — individual results vary based on anatomy, severity, and adherence.

  • Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA): roughly 85–90% surgical success (a 50% or greater reduction in AHI to a low residual level), with results that tend to remain stable long-term. Often considered the most effective surgical option for moderate-to-severe OSA.

  • CPAP: the gold standard and highly effective at controlling apnea when worn every night — but real-world benefit is limited by adherence, with a large share of patients discontinuing or using it inconsistently over time.

  • Mandibular advancement appliance (oral appliance): approximately 50–60% success, best suited to mild-to-moderate OSA and generally less effective for severe disease.

  • Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire): roughly a 65–75% responder rate in carefully selected patients, with effectiveness depending on candidacy criteria such as body weight and the pattern of airway collapse.

  • Soft-tissue and laser procedures (e.g., laser palatoplasty): generally lower and less durable success for moderate-to-severe OSA, since they address soft tissue rather than the underlying skeletal airway.

  • Maxillary expansion without surgery: effective primarily in growing children; evidence for non-surgical expansion in adults is limited, which is why surgically assisted expansion is used when skeletal widening is needed.

Because MMA corrects the bone position that narrows the airway, it offers a long-term solution rather than nightly device dependence. We’ll review your imaging, sleep study, and overall health to determine whether MMA — alone or alongside other therapies — is the right path for you.

Because MMA corrects the bone position that narrows the airway, it offers a long-term solution rather than nightly device dependence. We’ll review your imaging, sleep study, and overall health to determine whether MMA — alone or alongside other therapies — is the right path for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Thoughtful care at every step

Your visit is planned around clarity, comfort, and a recovery path that feels manageable before you ever sit in the chair.

Specialist-led planning

Treatment details are reviewed with the surgical team so timing, anesthesia, and next steps are clear.

Clear preparation

You’ll know what to bring, what to avoid, and how to plan your day around the procedure.

Guided recovery

Post-op instructions focus on comfort, swelling control, and knowing when to reach out.