New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery (2024)

Posted on 9/19/2022 by New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery

New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery (1)

Tongue reduction surgery may seem odd, but it benefits certain people, especially babies born with tongue obstructions that cause breathing issues and adults who suffer from sleep apnea.

What is the Importance of Tongue Reduction Surgery?

Oral surgeons determine tongue reduction surgery to ensure that it is the suitable option to deal with any related oral problem you face. During tongue surgery, various procedures are done to enable the tongue to be firmer during sleeping periods and to remove tongue tissues to decrease the overall volume of the language.

Moreover, these procedures help relax the tongue, allowing better breathing patterns, especially at night while sleeping.

What Type of Conditions are Managed through the Tongue Surgery?

Macroglossia

Also known as the development of an oversized tongue, this problem affects the body's breathing, speech, and feeding patterns. Also, it can cause false teeth and jaw positioning and alter facial appearance. However, a tongue reduction surgery helps deal with any challenges from an oversized tongue.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Oral surgeons perform tongue reduction surgery to help manage sleep apnea in adults. Most people suffering from this condition periodically stop breathing during sleep due to the obstructions caused by the tongue in the airway passage.

Types of Tongue Reduction Surgeries

Keyhole Surgery

Decreases the overall mass of the tongue by removing the excess tissues found within the middle portion of the language hence preserving the blood supply and nerves responsible for taste, feeling, and movement.

Genioglossus Advancement

Mostly done on patients with sleeping apnea and involves the bony attachment of the portion of the tongue muscle forward and securing the extension with screws in a new forward position.

Generally, tongue reduction surgery is critical in managing and controlling sleep apnea in adults, as well as getting rid of the developed oversized tongues that cause breathing complications.