If you snore yourself or you’ve spent nights near someone who does, you know how annoying it can be. Snoring is commonplace, as almost ½ of all adults snore every once in and a while. But for those who are sawing logs every night, it can be uncomfortable and affect sleep patterns.
Did you know that laser treatment can help people reduce their snoring? Palermo Village Dental offers sleep apnea solutions to help their patients sleep better and breathe healthier. Let’s explore how laser treatment helps reduce snoring. If you’re interested in resting your head more comfortably, book an appointment to start sleeping snore-free.
Why People Snore
Snoring is the sound that’s made when breathing is restricted during sleep. This restriction is often due to the tissue in your airways becoming soft and blocking normal breathing and airflow. The snoring sound is created when vibrations occur as wind is forced past these blockages.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that periodically prevents breathing while you are sleeping. This occurs when breathing is restricted several times a night for 10 seconds or more. There are several causes of sleep apnea, but the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by obstruction of your breathing airway. The airway can be restricted for the following reasons:
- Soft palate tissue collapses or closes
- A naturally narrow airway
- Throat muscles are too relaxed
- Abnormally large tongue
- Extra fatty tissue in the throat, related to obesity
Problems of Untreated Sleep Apnea
When sleep apnea is left undiagnosed and untreated it can contribute to detrimental effects on the rest of the body. That’s why heavy snoring night after night is an important issue to discuss with your dentist. Sleep apnea increases your risk for the following conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
- Depression
- Decreased sexual drive and function
How Laser Treatment Helps Snoring
One of the solutions for treating many patients with obstructive sleep apnea is laser technology. Palatal restriction is the most common reason for snoring, contributing to 80% of those who snore. This occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses or closes.
Special lasers can sculpt your soft palate by tightening or removing small amounts of tissue. In some cases, the uvula (hanging tissue at the back of the throat) may also hinder breathing and be a focus of your treatment. Laser treatment creates a more open pathway for airflow, which reduces or eliminates snoring for over 80% of patients.
SOLEA Laser Treatment
The SOLEA Sleep laser is a game-changing procedure for people who suffer from heavy snoring. SOLEA Sleep is a non-surgical laser, meaning no cuts are made during the treatment. Instead, tissue in the soft palate is gently tightened and opens breathing channels.
Benefits of the SOLEA Sleep laser treatment include:
- Reduced or eliminated chronic snoring
- Higher quality sleeps
- Minimized sore throats and headaches
- Reduced effects of sleep apnea
- Less disruption of your partner’s sleep
What to Expect from Snoring Laser Treatment
When a laser treatment has been approved as an appropriate treatment for your snoring, you can expect a comfortable experience compared to other dental procedures. SOLEA Sleep is virtually non-invasive and requires very little pre or post-treatment action.
Some of the procedural advantages of SOLEA Sleep laser treatment for snoring include:
- Treatment lasts for only 5 minutes
- Non-surgical, no-needle procedure
- A majority of patients report no discomfort
- Treatment results last up to 15 months
- No dental drilling
- The only anesthetic used is a topical spray
It’s important to note that SOLEA Sleep is a remedy for snoring. Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may require more serious procedures.
Snore-Free Slumbers Await
Snoring is often a by-product of sleep apnea. The occasional loud breath at night isn’t anything to worry about, but chronic snorers could be experiencing a more negative quality of life. Laser treatment allows air to move more easily through your nose, mouth, and throat. Treatment can be done quickly, comfortably, and only once a year to be effective. The first step for breathing peacefully at night is consulting your dentist about your snoring. Book an appointment to find out if you qualify for SOLEA Sleep laser treatment and finally put your snoring to rest!
