Have Restful Nights for a Change
Sleep Apnea Treatment for Adults – Westminster, CO
Sleep Apnea Treatment for Adults – Westminster, CO
Have Restful Nights for a Change
Replace Daytime Sleepiness with Energy
If you struggle with loud snoring, restless sleep, or constant fatigue, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be the cause. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the tongue collapses against the back of the throat during sleep, blocking the upper airway. Airflow stops until oxygen levels in the brain drop low enough to trigger a partial awakening. The airway reopens, often with a loud gasp, and the cycle repeats, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times per night.
Over time, repeated drops in oxygen levels can contribute to serious cardiovascular concerns. Many individuals also experience excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and reduced overall quality of life. Some patients experience a less severe form of obstruction known as Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). While airflow may not fully stop, breathing becomes restricted, leading to many of the same symptoms and disrupted sleep patterns.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
The first step in treating sleep apnea is recognizing the symptoms and seeking a professional evaluation. During your consultation, a detailed health history is reviewed, and the anatomical relationships of your jaws and airway are carefully assessed. Cephalometric (skull X-ray) analysis can help us determine the level and location of airway obstruction. In some cases, a nasopharyngeal examination using a flexible fiber-optic camera may be performed to further evaluate your airway.
To assess oxygen levels and overall sleep quality, We may recommend a sleep study. This overnight evaluation helps identify breathing interruptions, decreased oxygenation, and the potential impact on cardiovascular health.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options available, depending on the severity of obstruction and the underlying structural findings. For many patients, initial treatment may include CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). This device delivers pressurized air through a nasal or facial mask to help keep the airway open during sleep and reduce nighttime obstruction. Certain surgical procedures may be recommended when soft tissue collapse is a primary contributor. These include:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): reshapes tissue in the soft palate and throat to reduce airway obstruction.
- Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUPP): a similar procedure performed with laser technology.
- Radiofrequency treatment of the soft palate: uses controlled energy to tighten and stiffen tissue to minimize collapse.
These procedures are typically performed under light IV sedation in an outpatient setting. In more complex cases involving skeletal structure, repositioning the upper and lower jaws may be recommended to increase airway volume. This procedure, known as orthognathic (jaw) surgery, is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia and usually requires a one- to two-night stay.
Palatal Expansion
Another option is palatal expansion because even in adulthood, carefully guided palatal expansion can make a meaningful difference for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. By gently widening the upper jaw, adult expanders create additional space for the tongue and improve nasal airway volume, which can reduce airway obstruction during sleep. This structural adjustment can help decrease nighttime breathing interruptions, improve oxygenation, and reduce jaw and muscle tension. When combined with other airway-focused therapies, adult expansion supports better sleep quality.
Take the First Step
You Can Overcome Sleep Apnea!
Explore our treatment options.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.