Snoring may seem harmless, but it could be a loud warning sign of a serious sleep disorder silently affecting your health.
It is caused by vibration of the soft tissue of the throat (soft palate, uvula, tongue) during sleep due to a partially blocked airway or age-related soft tissue loosening. Snoring affects sleep quality for both the snoring person and their partner.
Sleep apnea is a more serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It disrupts oxygen flow and puts strain on the heart, brain, and other organs. It could be as a result of airway collapse (obstructive sleep apnea=OSA) or a brain signal issue (central sleep apnea=CSA). CSA is not treated by the method described below, as it is a neurologically driven problem, not tissue obstruction.
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, daytime fatigue, memory issues, and an increased risk of accidents.
The Good News
Advancements in laser technology, like NightLase, offer effective, non-surgical outpatient treatment to improve your sleep.
NightLase uses controlled laser heating of the soft palate, pharyngeal walls, tongue, the floor of the mouth, and uvula to stimulate collagen contraction and new collagen formation. The result is firmer, less floppy tissue at the back of the throat, so the airway is less likely to vibrate and collapse during sleep.
NightLase uses a dual-wavelength platform, combining a deep tissue laser and a smooth pulse non-ablative laser, to gently heat the mucosal surface and superficial connective tissue without vaporizing it. That heating triggers immediate collagen contraction and longer-term remodeling.
Number of Procedures and Expected Timeline
The typical protocol is three to five sessions, depending on the severity of the problem. These are spaced about three weeks apart. Many patients notice improvement after the first session, but the full course of treatment is necessary for stable, long-term results. Some patients, especially over the age of 40, opt for an annual “touch-up” to maintain the effect.
How the Non-Surgical NightLase Procedure is Performed
- Consult and screening. History, exams, and usually a discussion about whether snoring is isolated or combined with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If OSA is suspected, clinicians will typically recommend a formal sleep study to check the severity before offering NightLase.
- Preparation. No general anesthesia is required. A topical anesthetic or local numbing solution can be used, but many patients tolerated it fine without any numbing.
- Laser application. Two different wavelength lasers are used: First, a handpiece with Nd: YAG (1064nm) that penetrates deeper and warms up the tissue evenly. Second, the handpiece delivers non-ablative SMOOTH Er: YAG (2940nm) to target the following areas: soft palate, uvula, side pharyngeal walls, the tongue base, and the floor of the mouth. These sessions typically last 20–45 minutes, depending on the anatomy.
- Post-treatment. No dressings or sutures are required. It is recommended that patients avoid soft and hot/spicy foods for 24–48 hours.
Recovery Time and Side Effects
The recovery time for treatment is minimal. Most patients resume normal activities immediately or within hours. There’s typically no downtime. Some of the common short-term effects include mild throat soreness, transient swelling, a sense of tightness, temporary dry mouth, or mild throat irritation. These generally resolve within one day.
Final Thoughts
Untreated snoring can have significant negative effects on overall health, including cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of conditions like high blood pressure. NightLase is a safe and effective treatment for those looking to alleviate snoring and improve their quality of sleep. If you are considering this procedure, be sure to talk to a trained professional who can accurately identify the root cause and target it with appropriate treatment.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, our esteemed team of experts is here to provide safe and effective laser dentistry to make various dental procedures more comfortable for patients. When treating those with sleep apnea, we can incorporate our NightLase device to minimize snoring and improve night’s rest for everyone in your home. If you want to stop keeping others awake, as well as reduce your OSA symptoms, schedule an appointment or call our office at (626) 427-6534.