If your own efforts to stop snoring do not help, consult your physician or an otolaryngologist — or a doctor for the ear, nose, and throat. If you choose to try a dental appliance as a snoring treatment, you will need to see a dentist specializing in these devices. Some medical snoring treatments are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral devices (including dental appliances and lower jaw positioners), and surgery.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure consists of sleeping with an air mask to maintain continuous air pressure in the throat. CPAP is a treatment for sleep apnea, as well as for snoring.
A wide range of dental appliances, oral devices, and lower jaw adjusters are available to alleviate snoring. Some people experience significant improvement with these oral appliances, which bring the lower jaw forward during sleep. Most of the products fit inside the mouth, but some products on the market are worn around the head and chin to adjust the position of the lower jaw.
As far as surgery goes, Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) treats snoring and various types of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The types of TAP include: laser-assisted uvula palatoplasty (LAUP) and radiofrequency ablation (or “somnoplasty”). Laser-assisted uvula palatoplasty (LAUP) vaporizes the uvula and a portion of the palate with a laser in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. LAUP effectively removes obstructions to the airway, which may be causing snoring or sleep apnea.
Laser-Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty has a higher success rate than Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for sleep apnea (UPPP), but it requires a surgeon with expertise in laser procedures. Radiofrequency ablation, or somnoplasty, shrinks excess tissue in the upper airway with a needle electrode. For snoring, the soft palate and uvula are reduced. For Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the base of the tongue is reduced. For chronic nasal obstruction, nasal turbinates are reduced. Somnoplasty does not require general anesthesia.
According to many experts, while other snoring treatments may help in cases of milder snoring problems, for heavy snoring, surgically correcting obstructive conditions in the nose, pharynx, or uvula may be the only solution.
Related Articles of Interest :
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal, due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep with consequent daytime somnolence. Symptoms are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea...
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Sleep Apnea Treatment
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The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Various methods used to alleviate sleep apnea include: Behavioral Therapy, which should include avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight reduction and...
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A Review of Recommended Snoring Cures
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There are probably as many cures for snoring as there are people complaining about someone snoring. Over 300 anti-snoring devices and cures have been registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. They include the familiar remedy -– a tennis ball in a sock sewed...
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Sleep Apnea
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing during sleep associated with recurrent arousals and awakenings. The cessation in breathing (interruption) during sleep lasts for 10-30 seconds in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. However, in severe cases this cessation...
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Sleep Apnea Machines
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Two types of positive airway pressure used to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea are the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP...
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Why You Should Stop Snoring
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If you or your sleeping partner snores, you may think of snoring as merely an irritant. But, snoring can have serious social and health consequences. So, there is every reason why one should attempt to stop snoring. Snoring can cause severe problems in relationships because...
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Sleep Apnea Surgery
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Some sleep apnea patients may need surgery to remove excess tissue from the nose or throat (removal of adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps or other growth) and to straighten a deviated septum. Although surgery is an excellent way of treating symptomatic sleep apnea, its success...
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Sleep Apnea Masks
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Sleep apnea masks provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and are the most effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP consists of a portable machine with a mask, tubes and fan. The patient wears the sealed mask, which is...
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An Introduction to Snoring
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Someone who snores can often become the butt of jokes. But jokes aside, snoring is no laughing matter. Nearly 90 million Americans snore, most of them men, and very often snoring affects those over the age of 60. A recent survey found that snoring is...
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Popular Snoring Remedies
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For reducing snoring there are a number of simple suggestions or home remedies. Let’s take a look at some of the options or popular snoring remedies, in addition to the ubiquitous tennis ball cure. One simple remedy is to elevate your head with pillows or...