Snoring Surgery

Do you snore? Do you know someone who snores?

For many people, the answer to one of the above questions is an emphatic Yes. Unfortunately, the person who snores probably gets an earful in the morning about how bad their snoring was, and how their bed-partner had trouble falling asleep because of the noise. Similarly, the person who sleeps with a snorer gets an earful each evening (of snoring!) and may toss and turn, resort to earplugs, or even have to sleep in a different room.

Nearly 50% of adults snore sometimes, but for some people it can become severe. Vibrations in the back of the throat cause snoring as air passes the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, tongue, and other tissues. In some cases these parts of your throat can intermittently block breathing, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Spiegel provides complete sleep and snoring evaluation and the most up-to-date techniques for snoring treatment. Snoring evaluation consists of an examination and series of questions. In most cases, this is all that is needed before treatment options can be discussed. However, if Dr. Spiegel suspects obstructive sleep apnea, he may recommend a polysomnogram (sleep test).

There are now a variety of treatments for snoring, many of which can be done in the office with minimum discomfort. Among the latest technologies available include Somnoplasty®, the Pillar® Palatal Implant, Coblation® Tonsillectomy, and others.

For office treatment of snoring, Dr. Spiegel will begin by spraying your mouth with a topical anesthetic. Then, a numbing medication is injected (similar to what you may experience when having dental work). The next step is to tighten the tissues in the back of the throat so that they do not vibrate as much. Each of the different available techniques accomplishes this in a different way and Dr. Spiegel will help you choose the best treatment for you. Sometimes a second repeat treatment is needed to get the best results. Most people experience only a sore throat after the procedure, which is easily controlled with pain medications.

With the large variety of procedures available, Dr. Spiegel can significantly reduce (or eliminate) snoring in most people. For additional information or a consultation, be sure to contact Dr. Spiegel.