Somnoplasty: Ends Sleep-Disrupting Snoring Painlessly

Somnoplasty is a new, FDA-approved medical treatment performed in a doctor's office under local anesthesia. Using very low levels of radiofrequency waves that are delivered through a small needle-like probe inserted in the patient's palate, the procedure permanently alters the shape of the soft palate by gently reducing and stiffening the tissue areas responsible for snoring.

Most snoring is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula at the back of the mouth, and snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates. Because patients are awake and comfortable during the procedure, they return to normal activities immediately, and during the next four to six weeks they experience a gradual decrease in snoring until it's no longer a problem in most cases. Much to the delight of snorers and their bed partners, somnoplasty can provide a cost-effective, permanent resolution to the problem for 90 percent of patients with socially-disruptive simple snoring. Somnoplasty works without the pain of conventional and laser-assisted surgery. Discomfort is as mild as the feeling of an oncoming cold, lasting only a few days and easily controlled with over-the-counter medications.

Somnoplasty also has been proven effective in treating chronic stuffy nose by delivering radiofrequency waves into swollen nasal tissues. The procedure is quick, painless and leaves patients breathing easier within a few weeks.

ENTAA Care physicians have extensive experience in treating snoring as well as other sleep disorders. Somnoplasty has been very successful for many of our patients.