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Anti-Snoring Laser Treatment

Given sleep’s central role in people’s lives, having restful and quiet mental downtime is often paramount to productivity and personal relationships. Loud snoring can cause friction in even the most solid of romantic partnerships, particularly when it interrupts the sleep cycle of a loved one or yourself.

Snoring may also be a part of a more serious condition, known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder consisting of pauses in breathing caused by a collapse in the soft tissues of the mouth. This respiratory interruption can last between 10 and 30 seconds, often leading to a more restless, shallow sleep. If left untreated, OSA may not only be audibly disruptive but also dangerous to one’s health. It is related to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart issues, depression, and overall exhaustion.

Snoring and sleep apnea can be exacerbated by poor sleeping habits, lifestyle, or physical conditions such as:

  • Heavy and frequent alcohol consumption
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Use of certain medications or drugs
  • Smoking
  • Nasal congestion
  • Oral anatomy

Developed in Europe, NightLase® uses gentle Er:YAG laser light in a two-step process that preheats the tissue at the back of the throat before strengthening it.

Non-invasive and fast, this anti-snoring laser treatment can be performed by licensed and trained doctors. Prior to your NightLase® procedure, you should visit Vitalium Laser Centre for a complimentary consultation during which you can describe your sleep conditions, habits, and quality to one of our surgeons. You will be examined physically and you should also inform your physician of any allergies you may have; medications or supplements you are currently taking; and medical history. Ideal candidates should be in overall good health.

Procedure

Since there are no incisions involved, NightLase® laser anti-snoring treatment can generally be completed in approximately 20 to 30 minutes without anaesthetic.

The procedure uses FOTONA Erbium Laser light to stimulate new collagen growth at the back of the throat and soft palate in a process known as “collagenesis.” The pulse beams are painless, often described as feeling like a pleasant, warming sensation on the treated area.

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Because collagen is a protein-building block of many tissues that unfortunately diminishes with age, the use of NightLase® heat causes the back of the throat and soft palate to essentially reform itself in a way that is firmer and more youthful. Pharyngeal instability is often the cause of snoring and sleep apnea.

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As the muscles in this area become tighter and less prone to collapse, the airway is left more open, reducing sleep apnea and snoring, sometimes even eliminating them entirely.

While the treatment only takes 20 minutes, it must be performed three times over the course of a month in order to get 100% of the benefits. Results last for up to 2.5 - 3 years (About the newest research: here) and either eliminate snoring or greatly decrease its loudness and frequency. After the effects of your initial treatment wear off, you can visit Clinic 360 in Toronto for a second round with no risk to your health. NightLase® may be performed as a sole solution to snoring or in conjunction with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device.

Risks

There are virtually no health risks associated with the Nightlase anti-snoring laser treatment.

Recovery

There is no downtime required after your Nightlase anti-snoring laser treatment. Some patients experience a tingling sensation in the treated area, though this should be gone within a day or two of the procedure. Results are generally overwhelmingly positive and last up to a year, at which time you can get the Nightlase procedure again.