A Permanent Solution for Sleep Apnea-Advanced MMA Jaw Surgery
Restore your airway, eliminate CPAP use, and wake up truly rested.
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon | Advanced Airway Solutions | 5-Star Rated Practice
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
Common Signs and Symptoms:
Any airway noise from snoring to gasping for air
Waking up during the night
Waking up tired, waking up with Headaches
Grinding your teeth at night
Taking medicine for blood pressure, low thyroid, heart-burn, anti-depressants, insulin resistance, allergies
Worn down teeth hearth burn, acid reflux
Gold Standard for Permanent Correction of Sleep Apnea - Advancing your upper and lower jaws
Procedures have advanced with technology:
In office procedures - go home same day
Wake up not wired together
narcotics often not needed after 5-6 days
Surgery done completely from inside your mouth - no skin incisons
Skeletally expands your airway - permanently
Significantly improves sleep.
Benefits of the procedure:
Reduces cancer risk
Decreases insulin resistance
Strengthens immune function
Improves skin health and overall vitality
Reduces food cravings and is often associated with meaningful weight loss
Contributes to a more youthful appearance
Enhances mood, happiness, and creativity
Enables many patients to reduce or discontinue blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and reflux medications
Eliminates the need for CPAP and oral appliances in approximately 95% of patients (ref)
Enhances cognitive performance, including executive function and mental clarity
Decreases susceptibility to illness
Supports both health-span and life-span improvement
Promotes brain health by improving the clearance of metabolites linked to cognitive decline
Lowers blood pressure and reduces overall cardiovascular risk
Side Effects/Risks
Soft food non-chew diet for 6 weeks
Significant facial swelling for 10-14 days
8-14 days off of work
Temporary numbness to your lips and chin (sensory only - face moves just fine)
What is Orthognathic Surgery/Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)?
How does it Treat Sleep Apnea?
Orthognathic surgery, also called corrective jaw surgery, realigns and advances your upper and lower jaws, expanding your facial skeleton and airway. This permanently corrects a narrow airway you were born with, and if need can simultaneously improve your bite and facial symmetry.
For patients with sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing, jaw surgery repositions your jaws to open the airway, reducing snoring and improving sleep quality.
Why Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?
Each patient's procedure is custom planned by Dr. Loetscher, utilizing CT scanning, facial assessment with direct measurements and photos, and virtually designed on software specific for orthognathic surgery.
This custom planning allows us to maximize your airway improvement as well as facial esthetics.
Our team is set up to provide proficient surgery, with the best recovery process.
We have a team of experienced nurses, one will often come to your home in facilitate your recovery in the first few hours, providing training to your caregivers, facilitating your recovery.
Dr. Loetscher has over 30 years of experience in this surgery, and understands the modifications needed to enhance your airway and sleep
At Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - we specialize in the treatment. The procedures are performed in our surgery center built & designed specifically for orthognathic surgery and jaw correction.
Why Sleep Apnea Happens:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway narrows or collapses during sleep, interrupting breathing and fragmenting sleep. When the jaws sit too far back, the space behind the tongue shrinks — and surgical correction of the jaw position is often the only long-term solution.
When CPAP Isn’t Enough:
CPAP controls symptoms but does not change anatomy. For patients whose airway obstruction is structural, MMA (Maxillomandibular Advancement) offers a permanent correction by moving both jaws forward, enlarging the airway and restoring natural breathing.
What Is MMA?
MMA is an orthognathic procedure that repositions the upper and lower jaws forward to open the airway. Our team uses 3D CBCT imaging and virtual surgical planning to create a customized approach that improves breathing and facial balance. Surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia in our hospital grade in-office surgical suite.
Conditions Treated / Who Can Benefit?
Our procedures help patients with:
Sleep apnea caused by poor jaw structure development
Underbite or overbite
Facial Asymetry
TMJ Pain
Difficulty chewing, speaking, breathing
1. Consultation & Digital Planning
3D imaging and virtual simulation ensure precision and predictability.
If needed a home sleep study will be ordered.
2. Jaw Surgery & Sleep Apnea Correction
Performed under general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art in-office surgical suite.
No jaw wiring; patients can return home the same day.
3. Recovery & Aftercare
Our trained nurse accompanies you home for 2–3 hours.
Post-operative care includes diet guidance, rest, and follow-up monitoring.
How the Procedure Works:
Patient Success Story
Benefits of Jaw Surgery & Sleep Apnea Correction
Corrects bite alignment and facial asymmetry
Reduces or eliminates sleep apnea symptoms
Relieves jaw pain and TMJ issues
Improves chewing, speech, and breathing
Fast, comfortable, and safe recovery with in-office care
Before and After:
Why Choose Dr. Loetscher?
Unparalleled Experience: Weekly jaw surgeries and sleep apnea procedures.
Advanced Technology: Digital, guided surgery for precise, predictable outcomes.
Patient-Centered Approach: In-office, no-wire procedures with same-day recovery and nurse support.
Area Expertise: Serving the Atlanta, Brookhaven, and the Southeast US.
FAQs
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By repositioning the jaw, orthognathic surgery enlarges the airway, reducing snoring and improving breathing during sleep.
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Many patients undergo orthodontic treatment before surgery for optimal alignment. Post-surgery adjustments are typically shorter and easier.
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Most patients recover within 2–4 weeks. The no-wire, in-office approach accelerates recovery and minimizes discomfort.
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Yes. Jaw surgery is safe when performed by experienced surgeons. Dr. Loetscher has extensive experience in orthognathic surgery and surgical sleep apnea correction.
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A sleep study is often recommended to assess the severity of sleep apnea and ensure the procedure will effectively improve airway function.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Snoring
Grinding your teeth, especially at night (Bruxism)
TMJ Pain
Morning headaches
Constant Drowsiness
Lack of regular dreams
Memory and attention problems
Dark circles under your eyes
Waking up tired
Depression
Excessive wear on my teeth
Facial appearance of a weak chin or retruded jaw structures
High Blood pressure
Low Libido
“Dr. Loetscher was the first person to mention the correlation between orthognathic surgery and sleep apnea…..It is difficult to put into words that you would be able thank somebody that has made such a difference in short amount of time.”
- Orthognathic Surgery Patient
“Having this surgery has made a big change in my life and has added years onto my life and I would really like to thank the doctors at Atlanta Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for that.”
-Orthognathic Surgery Patient
Ready to Stop Living Tired?
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Take the first step toward better function, improved facial balance, and healthier sleep.