Surgery to improve breathing?

[MoonRiver]

Hey guys,

Currently, I sleep with a mouth guard (Herbst appliance) to treat my sleep apnea. In my original sleep test, I had an AHI of 15 or so supine -- which means I had 15 apneas/hyponeas per hour.

With my appliance in, my AHI is down to 11 events per hour; still mild sleep apnea. Although not bad, once a week or so I get a really bad night, where I wake up with a dry throat, morning headache, daytime sleepiness...I try to get to bed at the same time every night.

I have thought that ONE possible cure would be a surgically assisted rapid palate expansion -- to allow me to breathe better through my nose, expanding the base of the nasal floor.

Note that I still have my tonsils and adenoids in ... but according to my ENT, they are not swollen.

Can you guys look at my smile and my profile? Does this look...I'm not sure what the term is...pathological to you? Do you think SARPE or possible maxillomandibular advancement offer me anything? Of course, I realize two pictures are nothing to go on but I just wanted to see your thoughts.

Also, note my narrow smile --  had tooth extractions for braces. Always felt like my nasal breathing was harder after that.

Thanks guys.

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[Tiny]

Have you had your septum and turbinates looked at?  (Presume you have)

IMO it's hard to tell if someone has recession in both jaws without an Xray.  I've seen a lot of profile pics that looked totally fine but on further examination, they were technically recessed and had a small airway.  Then you get people who are visibly really recessed but the airway is actually fine

[MoonRiver]

Yes I had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction -- didn't really seem to help.

I will try to get my x-rays---the sleep dentist who fitted me for my Herbst said that my airway was compromised, although I don't know how much.

My ENT thinks I should get allergy shots, to help breath better, and says that my palate is fine. I am going to start allergy shots in August, so we shall see.

[pekay]

What are allergy shots exactly? do you know the name of the medication/shot?

have you tried Benadryl or Claritin-D?

[dantheman]

Somewhat narrow arch from the front but profile view looks balanced. I wouldn't hang your hat on immunotherapy but it does work well for some people. Do you know what you are allergic to?

[nrelax11]

I had the Herbst appliance when I was in high school to try and fix my recessed lower jaw.