How Does Laser Treatment for Snoring Work?
Believe it or not, laser treatments exist to help you stop snoring! Snoring can feel like one of those things that’s just impossible to beat.
How are you supposed to stop snoring if you’re not even aware it’s happening?
Snoring often leaves the snorer (and their partner) feeling tired or fatigued the next day, and can lead to a number of bigger issues down the road. Snoring requires some extra help to address, especially if it’s persistent.
Fortunately, there are treatment options available. Laser treatment is one option that can be highly effective in stopping snoring at the source.
What Is Nightlase?
Fotona’s NightLase® therapy is a non-invasive, patient-friendly laser treatment for increasing the quality of a patient’s sleep. NightLase reduces the effects of sleep apnea and decreases the amplitude of snoring by means of a gentle, laser-induced tightening effect caused by the contraction of collagen in the oral mucosa tissue.
Fotona’s patented Er:YAG laser modality optimizes the length of laser pulses, allowing for the safe penetration of heat into the oral mucosa tissue. It is gentle enough to be used on the sensitive tissue inside the mouth, but strong enough to provide clinically efficacious heating.
NightLase is easy for any doctor or dentist to perform and has a high success rate in producing a positive change in sleep patterns. Research has shown that NightLase reduces and attenuates snoring and provides an effective, non-invasive way to lessen the effects of sleep apnea.
Understanding Snoring
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors and occurs when your airway narrows during sleep. This usually happens as a result of your mouth muscles relaxing and partially obstructing your airway.
Some of the causes of snoring include:
- Sleep position
- Nasal congestion
- Sleep deprivation
- Deviated nasal septum
- Drinking too much alcohol
- The anatomy of your mouth (low, thick soft palates can narrow your airway)
There are certain factors that can increase your risk of snoring, such as:
- Being a man
- Being overweight
- Having a family history of snoring
Is Snoring Bad for My Health?
Many people snore infrequently, so it’s usually not a major cause for concern. However, habitual snoring can lead to more serious issues if left untreated. If you’re a habitual snorer, you may experience complications like:
- Sleepiness
- Frequent frustration
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure, heart conditions, or stroke
- Behavioural problems, like aggression or learning difficulties
What Else Can I Do?
There are other treatment options to help manage your snoring. The best thing you can do is visit your primary physician to discuss the right treatment options for you.
What To Expect
A full course of NightLase consists of three separate treatment sessions over a six week period. The final results of the treatment have been shown to last up to a year, and the therapy can be repeated.
Patients find NightLase to be a highly comfortable and satisfying solution. NightLase requires no device to be worn during sleep and involves no chemical treatment. It’s a gentle and easy way for your patients to regain a good night’s rest.
The following dual-wavelength laser systems from Fotona are ideal for NightLase® as well as other facial aesthetic treatments:
- The SP Line of multi-application laser systems from Fotona (SP Dynamis & SP Spectro) provides a single uniquely capable and full-featured system offering the power of the industry’s highest performance Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers, ideal for a wide range of applications in aesthetics and dermatology. The SP Dynamis model also includes an additional surgical QCW Nd:YAG laser for lipolysis, hyperhidrosis and many other surgical procedures.
You should notice a difference in your airflow over the next 3 to 6 weeks as your healing process progresses. Your physician may request a follow-up appointment to review your response and may suggest you continue maintenance treatments as required.
We’re Here to Help
If you have any questions or concerns about Nightlase, please contact our team! We’re always here to help at Zulu Medical Cosmetics.
