Pillar Procedure Snoring
Doctors now can eliminate snoring with the Pillar Procedure. If you suffer from chronic snoring it can be an indication of other medical conditions such as sleep apnea, a condition where you actually stop breathing for short periods of time during the night. Heart disease is also associated with sleep deprivation. If you’ve tried over-the-counter snoring remedies and at-home treatments and were not successful in relieving you’re snoring a doctor may recommend the Pillar Procedure.
The Pillar Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option for those that have tried and failed with other methods. The procedure is minimally painless and performed on an outpatient basis taking only a few minutes. A doctor will embed three very small polyester implants into the soft palate of the mouth. Over time, these implants will give the soft palate more structure which will lessen the vibration that causes snoring. This procedure is highly recommended for anyone with a weak soft palate.
Common Questions regarding the Pillar Procedure:
What are Pillar implants?
Developed in Europe and now approved by the FDA US Government for surgical use the Pillar implants are made from polyester material. Each implant creates a fibrous capsule which causes the stiffening of the soft palate. Stiffening of the soft palate overtime will prevent palatal fluttering or what’s known as snoring. However, if other factors are causing you to snore such as; nasal blockage, enlarge tonsils or adenoids, lingual hypertrophy, you may need additional treatment or surgery.
Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic. Any pain associated with the procedure will generally dissipate within a day or two and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol.
What is the cost for a Pillar Procedure?
Costs vary from city to city, but generally the fee for the operation and the price of the implants is around $1,500. Currently health insurance or Medicare does not cover this procedure, but is waiting for formal approval.
What can I eat or drink after the procedure?
For the first couple days after the procedure soft food is recommended. Hot drinks should also be avoided. After a couple days you should be able to resume a normal diet and activities.
So, are there any medical issues such as side effects or infection?
If the implants are rejected by the body, the doctor can remove them. More times than not rejection won’t happen and there are no other known side effects. An infection can occur with any implant and an antibiotic would be prescribed.
How long do the implants last?
Implants are permanent, but if snoring continues other methods may be a better option. If you’ve sleep apnea this procedure may be beneficial. If you suffer from sleep apnea due to another reason other than a weak soft palate your doctor will decide if you need a CPAP machine.
How long does it take to see results?
It could take up to two or three months before there’s sufficient fibrosis around the implant to stiffen the palate.
Where can I get the procedure done?
Since this is a relatively new procedure, talk to your physician, as he may recommend a specialist in this field or consult with an ear, nose and throat doctor. Like with any surgical treatment, you should find a doctor that is experienced with the Pillar Procedure to eliminate snoring.