Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery in Daly City

When CPAP Isn’t Working, Surgery May Be an Option

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) means the airway collapses repeatedly during sleep — causing loud snoring, gasping, morning headaches, and daytime exhaustion, and raising long-term risks for blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. CPAP is the standard first treatment, but many patients cannot tolerate it long term. For the right patient, surgery that moves the jaws forward to permanently open the airway is one of the most effective treatments available.

How an Oral Surgeon Treats Sleep Apnea

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) repositions the upper and lower jaws forward, enlarging the entire airway. In pooled studies, MMA reduces the apnea–hypopnea index by roughly 80–85%, with high surgical success rates in properly selected patients (Zaghi 2016, JAMA Otolaryngology). Related procedures, such as genioglossus advancement, reposition the tongue-muscle attachment to reduce airway collapse.

As a dual-degree (DDS, MD) oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Dela Rosa evaluates the airway and facial skeleton with in-office 3D imaging and plans treatment jointly with your sleep physician — a sleep study diagnosis comes first, and we coordinate every step with the doctor managing your OSA.

Who Is a Candidate?

You may benefit from a surgical evaluation if you have moderate-to-severe OSA diagnosed by a sleep study and you cannot tolerate CPAP or an oral appliance, or if your sleep physician has recommended evaluating jaw position as a cause of airway obstruction. Bring your sleep study to your consultation.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea — At a Glance

Infographics courtesy of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). Dr. Dela Rosa is an AAOMS member. Información en español.

Wondering whether jaw surgery could treat your sleep apnea? Call (415) 963-4121 to schedule a consultation.