Book a Reservation with ViVA Presto!Reduce or Even Stop Snoring with Somnoplasty
At ViVa we are please to introduce two technologies to reduce snoring. Is your snoring loud and uncontrollable? Do you have to sleep apart from your partner at night? Well now there are simple outpatient procedures to reduce or in some cases even eliminate snoring. Snoring is generally caused by the vibration of the soft palate or the uvula or both, which causes temporary blockage of the air passage. Generally age is a factor in causing increased snoring, as these muscle structures become weaker over time.
What are Somnoplasty and Pillar and how do they prevent Snoring?
Somnoplasty is a fast effective way using radiofrequency energy to reduce the size of the uvula and to stiffen the palate. These are the two structures in the mouth most commonly associated with loud snoring. The Somnoplasty is performed at ViVa under local anesthesia and generally takes 15-30 minutes.
During the Pillar procedure the plastic surgeon places three tiny implants into the soft palate to stiffen it. The Pillar procedure is designed to treat just the soft palate, which is in the back portion of the roof of the mouth. The loose soft palate is a primary cause of snoring and can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. When the loose soft palate tissue flutters it causes the snoring sound.
Working with you, ViVa’s plastic surgeon will recommend which procedure is best for you.
What are the major complications to these two Somnoplasty and Pillar treatments?
Most complications, if any, are temporary and resolve themselves within 24 to 72 hours. These complications may include: Sore or scratchy throat, voice/taste change, swelling of surrounding tissue, or infection.
Most people simply resume their normal activities the same or the next day.
Are there other concerns?
Sometimes people may have an underlying sleep apnea (“stop breathing briefly during sleep”) problem. In these cases we would recommend them to a local sleep lab for a complete analysis of their sleep habits prior to their treatment at ViVa for snoring.
How long does it take the snoring to be reduced or stop?
Depending on the individual and the healing process it can take between four and 12 weeks for the snoring to be reduced or stopped.
The ViVA Experience
Either Somnoplasty or Pillar is done in our Burlington, MA office by our plastic surgeon. Prior to local anesthetic agent similar to Novocain is used to numb the area. If Somnoplasty is used then radiofrequency energy is used to heat up and stiffen the soft palate and/or the uvula. In the case of Pillar three tiny plastic implants are inserted into the roof of the mouth. Once started each procedure takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Both procedures are done on an outpatient basis and you are home in the same day.
Call today to speak to a Viva professional about Somnoplasty and Pillar procedures today and schedule your FREE consultation.