WE CANNOT OVERSTATE the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, and the NightLase procedure can help if you’re struggling to achieve restful sleep due to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). NightLase is a procedure we offer for patients who snore or have OSA. It is a non-invasive treatment that can be an alternative option to surgery or using a CPAP machine for many patients.
OSA Can Be Dangerous
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that results in brief but repeated interruptions to normal breathing during sleep. Not only is this a potentially life-threatening disorder, but it also has a significant impact on overall health. OSA is the result of a blockage in the airway, typically the tongue collapsing against the soft palate, which in turn collapses against the back of the throat, closing off the airway. OSA symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes of abrupt awakening accompanied by choking or gasping
- Mood changes, including irritability and depression
- Daytime exhaustion
- Observed periods of interrupted breathing during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
- Difficulty concentrating
Why Is Snoring a Problem?
Just about everyone will snore every once in a while, but a serious snoring condition can be a real problem, and not only for other people trying to sleep nearby. Snoring happens when air flows past the relaxed tissues of the throat during sleep, causing them to vibrate loudly with every breath. Some symptoms associated with snoring include:
- Tiredness throughout the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
- A sore throat in the morning
- Less restful sleep
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain at night
How Does NightLase Help?
NightLase therapy is a cutting-edge, patient-friendly laser treatment that we use at Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC to reduce and sometimes eliminate snoring. The NightLase procedure is performed using Fotona’s FDA-approved Lightwalker laser. The effect of the laser energy is the tightening of the loose mucosa tissue located in the posterior region of the mouth.
By tightening the mucosa, there’s less vibration during inhalation and exhalation. Ultimately, NightLase provides a safe, non-invasive means to open the airway and improve your sleep. The procedure is comfortable and results can sometimes be instant.
What Your NightLase Appointment Will Be Like
NightLase therapy involves a series of three to four separate sessions spaced out over the course of three months. When performed by a trained and qualified professional, like Dr. Burman, NightLase therapy provides results that can last up to a year. If you start snoring again after a period of months, a simple repeat of the procedure will help prolong your results.
Minimal Side Effects and a Quick Recovery
Some patients may experience an itchy or sore throat after their first session, but it usually goes away on its own within a day or two. Because the procedure is non-invasive, there’s no recovery period! You can return to your normal daily routine immediately after leaving our practice, and you won’t even need to change your dinner plans.
Find out if Dr. Burman Can Help With Your Snoring Problem
As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (D.ABDSM), Dr. Burman has extensive training in the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, specifically the fabrication and use of mandibular positioning devices. He and the rest of our team look forward to helping you achieve the restful sleep you deserve. You can learn more about what we do by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before heading our way.