Treatment of Snoring
Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY
Treatment of Snoring provided by Dr. Gary Orentlicher and Dr. Andrew Horowitz in Scarsdale & Mt. Kisco, NY at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery
At New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery, we are at the forefront of new techniques developed for the treatment of Snoring. We are one of the only Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery groups in the US trained to perform the innovative new Elevoplasty® procedure developed by Zelegent®.
What causes snoring?
Snoring is breathing loudly while asleep. While you sleep, the muscles of your throat relax, your tongue falls backwards, and your throat becomes narrower and “floppy.” Snoring is caused by air vibrating the tissues in your nose and mouth. Those vibrations produce the noises we are all very familiar with.
Who is most at risk for snoring?
Snoring is a common problem in all ages and both genders. According to the National Sleep Foundation, snoring affects as many as 90 million adults in the US. Persons most at risk are males and those who are overweight. It usually becomes more serious with age. Snoring can cause disruptions in your own sleep and your bed-partner’s sleep. It can lead to fragmented and un-refreshing sleep which translates into poor daytime function (tiredness and sleepiness.) Snoring can be a symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a significant medical disorder. It is thought that about one-half of people who snore loudly may have OSA.
If you snore and you also have any of the following symptoms and signs, you should consult your physician regarding the possibility of OSA:
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Excessive daytime sleepiness
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Morning headaches
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Recent weight gain
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Awakening in the morning not feeling rested
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Awaking at night feeling confused
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Change in your level of attention, concentration, or memory
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Observed pauses in breathing during sleep |
How can snoring impact your life and those around you?
Approximately 20% of adults in the developed world consistently snore loudly enough at night to disturb their sleeping partners. Snoring can cause frustration and resentment in partners and family members, even leading partners to sleep in separate rooms.
How is snoring treated today?
There are many ways to treat snoring. Conservative approaches include over-the-counter sleep aids such as nasal strips, nose plugs, and oral appliances. Other more invasive treatments involve various surgical procedures.
What is Elevoplasty®?
Elevoplasty® is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in our office. It can be performed under local anesthesia with or without light sedation. The procedure involves the placement of three small resorbable sutures which are buried in the tissues of the soft palate. Immediately after placement, these sutures are “activated” by a gentle pull which provides a “lift” of the soft palatal tissues and uvula. This moves the soft palate off the tissues at the back of the throat, opening the airway a small amount. Over months, as the sutures resorb, the soft palatal tissues stiffen.
What should you expect after the Elevoplasty® procedure?
Like any minor surgical procedure to the soft palate you should expect a mild sore throat and a small amount of pain when swallowing for 2-3 days. Pain is usually well managed with over-the-counter medications. In a recently published study, 3 out of 4 patients saw a reduction in snoring at 30 days post-procedure with increased sleep quality and decreased daytime sleepiness.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you would like to learn more about the treatment of Snoring and the Elevoplasty® procedure, call us at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery at (914) 768-8220 today! |
