Snoring and breathing disruptions during sleep can take a serious toll on your health. Not to mention making it harder for others in your house to get a good night’s sleep.
If your partner complains about your snoring, or you’re sick of waking up feeling exhausted, Solea Sleep could be the answer you’re looking for. At Forestville Family Dentistry, we care about more than your smile. We want you to enjoy better overall wellness, and sleep dentistry including laser sleep apnea treatments in Forestville, CA are an important part of how we deliver!
Let’s look at some sleep apnea statistics:
- It’s estimated that 39 million adults snore on a regular basis
- Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea
- People who snore are 3 to 4 times more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease
- Up to 80% of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed
Snoring and sleep apnea have serious consequences beyond feeling tired all the time. Here are some of the many side effects:
- Impaired concentration and memory
- Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke
- Weight gain
- Depression, mood disorders
- Lower sex drive and bedroom performance
- Weakened immune system
People with untreated sleep apnea have a far higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke during sleep hours. For commercial drivers and machine operators, daytime drowsiness raises the risk of fatal accidents.
Bottom line – snoring and sleep apnea ruin your quality of life and are downright dangerous. Thankfully, Solea Sleep offers a completely non-invasive solution that’s proven, safe, and effective.
So what will life be like after laser sleep apnea treatment?
Benefits of laser snoring treatments include:
– Your snoring is significantly reduced or eliminated, often after a single session
– You get deeper, better quality sleep
– You no longer disrupt your or your partner’s sleep
– You have more energy and a better mood
– Your memory, concentration, and learning improve
– You no longer wake up with a sore throat and/or headache.
Typically, the results last between 12-15 months. Because the collagen in your soft palate tissue naturally loosens over time, Solea Sleep can never be a one-time procedure. To maintain the best results, we therefore advise patients to schedule a touch-up procedure once a year after the initial treatment series.
How does Solea Sleep work?
Briefly, the specialized ultra-low energy laser gently stimulates the soft tissues that vibrate and restrict airflow, causing snoring and breathing difficulties. Dr. Grados will apply the laser to the soft palate, tonsils, throat, and nasal tissues involved in airway constriction.
The tissue responds by tightening and stiffening, creating a wider airway and minimizing or eliminating obstructions that cause sleep apnea.
This process is called photo-thermal ablation. The light waves heat the target tissue, stimulating collagen regeneration. New collagen fibers tighten everything up.
Unlike painful incisions from traditional surgeries, Solea is completely non-invasive. There are no cuts, stitches or tissue removal. The treatment reshapes your throat anatomy from the inside out.
Solea can also tighten your turbinates, which are nasal passages inside your nose that can obstruct airflow. This nasal turbinate reduction further opens your airway for smooth, silent breathing through the night.
In several clinical studies, Solea has been proven to significantly reduce snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea. Patients reported better sleep quality, more energy during the day, and improved intimacy with bed partners.
Best of all, laser snoring treatment with Solea Sleep works right away. Although the tissue continues to tighten over time, most patients say they can breathe easier immediately after the procedure, and can expect significantly less snoring that same night!
Frequently asked questions about Solea Sleep laser snoring treatment
1. How long do results last?
Anywhere from 6-18 months, depending on your body’s response. For most patients, you can expect to enjoy better breathing for about one year before the collagen matrix starts to become lax again. However, after the first treatment series, you may not need as many sessions for ongoing maintenance.
2. Is the procedure painful?
Most patients feel a warming sensation, although a few feel mild discomfort during treatment. Your throat may feel itchy, swollen, or tender for a few days following a session, but this resolves quickly.
3. When can I resume normal activities?
You can drive yourself home and return to work or normal routines immediately. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 3 days.
4. How many sessions will I need?
Candidates with minor to moderate sleep apnea and thinner throat tissue see great improvement after just 1 to 3 sessions. Those with severe OSA, obesity or lots of excess tissue may need 4 or more treatments for desired results. Dr. Grados will advise how many visits are recommended in your unique case.
5. Can Solea be combined with other treatments?
Yes, Solea laser snoring treatment works well alongside other therapies like oral appliances or CPAP machines. In general, we do not recommend discontinuing your CPAP until you talk to your doctor. However, thanks to your improved airway, you’ll probably be able to turn your CPAP to a much lower setting, making it more comfortable and easier to tolerate.
