If you’re considering sleep apnea surgery in Omaha, it’s important to fully understand the potential risks, benefits, and long-term outcomes before committing to an invasive procedure. Sleep apnea surgery is sometimes recommended for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP therapy, but it isn’t always successful, and it’s not always the best first step.

At Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center, we work with patients who want to explore every safe and effective option. Many of our patients come to us after surgical procedures have failed, looking for relief through non-invasive solutions like oral appliance therapy or Inspire Therapy. This article will help you evaluate whether surgery is right for you and what alternatives may be available.

Understanding Sleep Apnea and Treatment Options

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often due to a collapsed airway. This condition can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and chronic fatigue.

While CPAP therapy is often the first-line treatment, not all patients can tolerate wearing a mask at night. The next steps typically involve oral appliance therapy or surgery (including Inspire Therapy), depending on the patient’s anatomy and preferences.

Common Types of Sleep Apnea Surgery

For patients exploring surgical options, there are several procedures designed to improve airflow by modifying soft tissue, repositioning structures, or stimulating airway muscles. Each comes with varying degrees of invasiveness and recovery.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

UPPP involves surgically removing excess tissue in the soft palate and throat to widen the airway. It’s one of the most common sleep apnea surgeries, but it has a relatively low success rate and can cause long-term discomfort, such as difficulty swallowing or speaking.

Genioglossus Advancement or Hyoid Suspension

These procedures reposition the muscles and bones connected to the tongue or throat. While less aggressive than full jaw surgery, they are still invasive and involve significant recovery.

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)

MMA is a complex jaw surgery that repositions both the upper and lower jaws to enlarge the airway. This procedure has shown higher success rates, but recovery can be extensive, and cosmetic facial changes are common.

Inspire Therapy (Upper Airway Stimulation)

Inspire is a surgical treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, but it is not minimally invasive and may involve significant risks and recovery. While it may help select patients, we’ve seen inconsistent results and side effects in many who later seek alternative care. We recommend evaluating all non-surgical options first.

What Are the Risks of Sleep Apnea Surgery?

All surgical procedures carry inherent risks, and sleep apnea surgeries are no exception. Depending on the procedure and your personal health profile, you may face a range of potential complications.

Common risks include:

  • Post-surgical pain and infection
  • Swelling or bleeding
  • Changes in speech or swallowing
  • Scar tissue that obstructs the airway
  • Risk of surgical failure or recurrence of symptoms

These risks highlight the importance of considering less invasive treatments first, especially when non-surgical methods offer effective relief.

Sleep Apnea Surgery Success Rates

Success rates for sleep apnea surgeries can vary significantly depending on the procedure and patient profile. For example:

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) often has a success rate of 40–60%, and it often has side effects like difficulty swallowing or speaking.
  • Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) can achieve 75–80% success rates but involves a complex recovery and permanent facial changes.
  • Inspire Therapy, while promising for a narrow group of patients, does not guarantee consistent results and is not always well tolerated.

At Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center, we’ve worked with many patients who underwent these procedures—including Inspire—and continued to experience symptoms or developed new complications. This is why we stress a thorough evaluation of non-surgical options first, as these often provide equal or greater relief with fewer long-term risks.

What to Consider Before Choosing Surgery

Choosing sleep apnea surgery should involve thoroughly evaluating your health, sleep study data, and previous treatments. It should never be a rushed decision. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  • Body mass index (BMI) and anatomical considerations
  • CPAP compliance history
  • Prior unsuccessful treatments or surgeries
  • Willingness to accept downtime and surgical risks

Many patients find that combining therapies—or revisiting less invasive options—offers a better balance of comfort, effectiveness, and lifestyle compatibility.

Effective Alternatives to Sleep Apnea Surgery

Not every patient with sleep apnea needs surgery to find relief. Many people achieve lasting results through non-invasive treatments like oral appliance therapy, which remains our most recommended solution for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Oral appliance therapy uses a custom-made device that repositions your jaw and tongue to help keep your airway open during sleep. It’s portable, quiet, and generally well tolerated—even by patients who struggled with CPAP.

Inspire Therapy is another option, but it should be approached with caution. While it may benefit certain patients, it is a surgical procedure that involves a healing period, potential side effects, and inconsistent long-term effectiveness. Patients must meet strict medical criteria, and even then, outcomes vary.

Before considering any surgery, we encourage a full evaluation to determine whether a non-invasive treatment like oral appliance therapy could provide a safer and more sustainable path to better sleep.

Your Omaha Partner in Sleep Apnea Relief

At Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center, we are experts in non-surgical and minimally invasive solutions for sleep apnea. Our team provides comprehensive evaluations, including oral appliance fittings, Inspire assessments, and personalized treatment planning.

If you’ve tried CPAP without success—or if you’ve undergone sleep apnea surgery with disappointing results—we’re here to help you find relief.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Before committing to sleep apnea surgery in Omaha, explore all of your treatment options with our experienced team. Surgery can be helpful for select patients, but it’s not the only path to better sleep and long-term health.

Contact Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center today at (402) 493-4175, or click the button below to book an appointment. Let’s find the most effective solution for your sleep apnea, without unnecessary risks.