Pillar Procedure

The soft palate is a contributing source of snoring and obstruction in 80% of patients. The Pillar Procedure addresses this anatomical component of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by stiffening the soft palate. The Pillar Procedure is a simple, effective treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea and socially disruptive snoring that is:

• Less invasive and less painful than other surgical procedures
• Completed in a short thirty minute visit to our center
• FDA approved for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea with results that are clinically comparable to more aggressive surgeries.
• Can be reversed unlike other surgical procedures that cut tissue

How it works:

During the Pillar Procedure, 3 to 5 tiny woven implants are placed in the soft palate. This helps to reduce the vibration that causes snoring and the ability of the soft palate to obstruct the airway. Once in place, the implants add structural support to the soft palate and, over time, the body's natural fibrotic tissue response to the implants increases the structural integrity of the soft palate. The Pillar inserts are made of a material used in implantable medical devices such as sutures and hernia meshes for more than 50 years

What you can expect:

In the course of eight to twelve weeks after the Pillar Procedure, you will gradually begin to see a reduction if not total elimination of snoring as the body’s natural fibrotic response stiffens the soft palate. Pillar implants are designed to be invisible, and will not be felt or interfere with swallowing or speech. Most patients resume a normal diet and activities the same day.

To date, over 30,000 patients have been treatment with the Pillar Procedure.

View our videos: (please allow 5 - 10 seconds for loading)

     Patients and doctors talk about the Pillar Procedure
     Pillar Procedure Animation
     MRI: Before and after the Pillar Procedure

Learn more about the pillar procedure at www.pillarimplant.com

Palatal RF

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the soft palate can reduce the incidence of snoring without the discomfort and inconvenience associated with traditional surgery for snoring. This minimally invasive treatment is essentially painless for most patients, and can be performed under local anesthesia in less than 20 minutes at our center.

How it works:

Palatal RF involves the delivery of low power, low temperature radiofrequency energy to the palate through a specially designed needle tip wand. This RF energy will stiffen the tissue in the soft palate that would otherwise vibrate and cause the sounds of snoring. The RF wand needle tip is inserted in the soft palate while the palate is numb. During insertion, the RF wand causes the targeted tissue to heat and coagulate beneath the soft palate mucosal layers.

What you can expect:

Significant reduction in snoring intensity will be detected over the next four to six weeks. The treated tissue will be naturally removed by the body, reducing tissue volume and stiffening the area responsible for your snoring. Patents may experience some discomfort initially after treatment; however, most discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter medication and soon disappears.

Turbinate Reduction

Snoring and mouth breathing may be the only signs of chronic nasal obstruction many patients will have. Turbinate reduction can provide a safe, fast return to normal breathing through your nasal passages. This minimally invasive treatment will relieve chronic nasal obstruction caused by enlarged turbinates (small structures located in the nose). The procedure, which is painless for most patients, can be performed under local anesthesia in less than 20 minutes at our center.

How it works:

Turbinate reduction uses low power, temperature controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to shrink and remove tissue that can cause nasal obstruction. Once the nasal passages are numb, a specialized radiofrequency wand with a small needle tip is inserted into each turbinate. During insertion, this wand is gently heating a specifically targeted area, creating a coagulated lesion.

What you can expect:

Quickly, this coagulated lesion will be reabsorbed naturally by the body. This causes the turbinates to shrink, relieving nasal obstruction and reducing or eliminating snoring altogether.  Some patents may experience minimal discomfort after treatment; however, most discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter medication and rapidly resolves.

RFT:

The tongue can be a source of snoring and obstruction for some patients. As patients relax during sleep, the tongue will fall back against the throat and block the airway.  RFT (Radio Frequency Tongue) treatment uses gentle radiofrequency energy to address this problem.  RFT can be done under local anesthesia, usually with minimal discomfort in less than 30 minutes at our center.

How it works:

RFT involves the delivery of low power, low temperature radiofrequency energy to the muscle of the tongue through a specially designed needle tip wand.  This energy causes the target tissue to scar and eventually contract. This shrinkage is at the back or base of the patient’s tongue, allowing the airway to open and alleviating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

What you can expect:

Depending on the patient’s tongue size, improvement will be detected within 4-6 weeks as the targeted scar tissue is reabsorbed by the body to open up the airway.  Patents may experience some swelling and discomfort for the first week after treatment; however, most discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter medication and rapidly resolves.