Laser Surgery Options for Snoring

Up to this day, there is no known medicine or treatment for snoring. Many people who have snoring problems have tried various remedies such as dental devices, mouth pieces and electric shock wrist watched - only to find out there is barely an improvement in their snoring. In reality, it is not them who suffer from the inconveniences of their snoring. They don't have anything to complain about. It is actually the people who are around them when they are asleep. They cannot, after all, hear themselves when they sleep. In order to know more about the extent of your snoring, you should pay your doctor a visit. If he determines that it is pretty bad, he may recommend and discuss to you laser surgery for snoring. Here are the laser surgery options for surgery that are available today.

• Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (LAUP)

LAUP is a cheaper version in curbing one's snoring. It can actually be done in your doctor's clinic in 10 minutes while the patients is upright and conscious. With the use of a laser, the uvula is vaporized and so is a specified portion of the palate. An anesthesia will be sprayed on the back of your oral cavity, tonsils, uvula and soft palate. Because of this, the patient may experience numbness on some parts of their mouth. This is a series of treatments. Doctors will require you to undergo five sessions, four to five weeks apart.

• Uvulapalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

UPPP is perhaps the most common laser surgery for snoring. Its objectives are to increase the width of the airway at the throat's opening and to block some of the actions of the muscles in order to help keep the airway open. UPPP works by removing the soft tissues on the back of the throat which include some parts of - if not the entire - uvula and parts of the soft palate. After the surgery, the patient may be required to stay for a few days at the hospital.

• Somnoplasty

This surgery is considered to be painless and minimal recovery is required as well. Somnoplasty uses low-power and low-temperature radiofrequency energy to create controlled clotting beneath the soft palate and the uvula. The coagulation or lesions will eventually be reabsorbed over a few months and this will stiffen the palate and reduce the volume of the tissue. All this will help resolve a person's snoring. Doctors will take 6 to 8 weeks to assess the result of the surgery. If your snoring has not improved, they may recommend you to undergo a repeat of the procedure.

These laser surgery options for snoring can be helpful but most often are afforded by those who have big bank accounts. Before deciding on what undergoing any of these surgery, you have to determine if you indeed need it. Talk to your doctor as he or she can help you decide what's best for you.