Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)

Maxillomandibular advancement may be recommended for patient’s with a narrowed airway secondary to the retruded position of their facial bones. This is a surgical procedure that repositions your upper and lower jaw and often times your chin to maximize your airway space. Studies have shown 98% of patients showing improvement in outcomes and their sleep apnea with this surgical treatment. This surgery has been refined over the many years that allows it to be a safe and efficient surgery. These surgeries are planned and simulated before surgery using a CT scan and digital scans of your teeth that make it precise and safe.

This surgery is completed in our state of the art office surgical center. All the incisions are made inside of your mouth leaving no scars on the outside of your face. We stabilize your upper and lower jaw bones using small low profile titanium plates and screws eliminating the need to be wired shut. Patient’s are instructed to be on a soft nonchew diet for 6 weeks after surgery while the bones heal. Patient’s are able to go home the day of surgery with the assistance and care of our nurses.

Zaghi S, Holty JC, Certal V, et al. Maxillomandibular Advancement for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;142(1):58–66. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.2678 

What to Expect: Recovery Overview

While every patient’s experience is unique, modern MMA recovery is far more manageable than most anticipate.

Day of Surgery

  • Procedure performed in an outpatient setting

  • Return home the same day (for qualified patients)

  • In home Nursing care with an RN for first 2-3 hours

  • Awake with stable jaws—no wiring shut

  • Able to gently open the mouth and breathe comfortably

First 3–5 Days

  • Peak swelling occurs, then begins to improve

  • Mild to moderate discomfort, well controlled with medication

  • Able to speak, hydrate, and maintain oral hygiene

  • Rest and limited activity recommended

Week 1–2

  • Noticeable reduction in swelling

  • Increasing comfort and energy

  • Gradual return to light daily activities

  • Some ability to perform work beginning around day 8 or 9

  • Continued improvement in breathing and sleep quality

Weeks 3–6

  • Significant recovery of normal function

  • Return to most professional and social activities

  • Ongoing refinement of facial appearance as swelling resolves

Long-Term

  • Permanent expansion of the airway

  • Elimination or significant reduction of sleep apnea symptoms

  • Improved sleep quality, energy, and overall health

  • Enhanced facial balance and profile

 

Overview of Maxillomandibular Advancement

Why Jaw Advancement (MMA) Is the Gold Standard for Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is not just a sleep disorder — it is often a structural airway problem.

For many patients, the root cause is the position of the jaws. When the upper and lower jaws sit too far back, the airway behind the tongue becomes narrow or collapsible during sleep. This leads to interrupted breathing, poor oxygen levels, and long-term health consequences.

Treating the Cause — Not Just the Symptoms

Most common treatments, such as CPAP or oral appliances, work by managing the condition:

  • CPAP uses air pressure to keep the airway open

  • Oral appliances reposition the jaw temporarily during sleep

While effective for some, these approaches do not change the underlying anatomy.

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) is different.

MMA is a surgical procedure that permanently repositions both the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) forward. This enlarges the airway in a meaningful, lasting way — addressing the root cause rather than compensating for it.

Why MMA Is Considered the Gold Standard

MMA has one of the highest success rates of any sleep apnea treatment, particularly for moderate to severe cases:

  • Substantial and durable airway expansion

  • High success and cure rates in properly selected patients

  • Eliminates dependence on nightly devices

  • Improves oxygen levels, sleep quality, and overall health

  • Improves oxygen levels and health during the day as well as night

Studies confirm MMA has demonstrated outcomes that far exceeding CPAP outcomes — without requiring lifelong compliance.

A Functional and Aesthetic Benefit

An often-overlooked advantage of MMA is that it can also improve facial balance and profile. By advancing the jaws in a controlled and planned way, patients frequently experience both:

  • Better breathing

  • Enhanced facial harmony

Is MMA Right for You?

Not every patient requires surgery. The key is proper diagnosis.

We evaluate:

  • Airway anatomy

  • Jaw position and facial structure

  • Severity of sleep apnea

  • Prior treatment history

For patients whose apnea is driven by skeletal anatomy, MMA offers a definitive, long-term solution.

Our Approach to MMA Surgery

We believe that exceptional outcomes require more than surgical expertise—they require a thoughtfully designed patient experience from start to finish.

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) has evolved significantly, but our approach goes further—combining advanced surgical techniques with a highly personalized, concierge-level model of care.

  • Private, outpatient surgical setting
    Procedures are performed in a refined environment designed for efficiency, comfort, and discretion.

  • Same-day return home
    Most patients recover in the comfort of their own home the same day, avoiding unnecessary hospitalization. 

  • RN care provided for your first couple of hours at home. 

  • No jaw wiring—ever
    Modern rigid fixation allows for immediate stability without the discomfort or anxiety of having the jaws wired shut.

  • No or elastics splints .

  • No rubber bands
    Improves early comfort and function.

  • Immediate ability to open and use the jaw
    Patients are able to open their mouth right after surgery—making breathing, speaking, and daily function significantly easier.

  • Precision 3D surgical planning
    Every case is digitally planned in advance to optimize both airway correction and facial balance.

  • Discreet, highly personalized care
    From consultation through recovery, patients receive attentive, individualized guidance at every step.

The result is an experience that is not only clinically advanced—but markedly more comfortable, controlled, and predictable than most patients expect.