The Pillar Procedure was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004, meaning this snoring/sleep apnea treatment has enjoyed a solid decade of successfully helping people overcome their sleep problems.
This is especially important since, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, 25 percent of normal adults suffer from chronic snoring. In other words, there are a lot of candidates for this procedure who probably don’t even know it exists — or how simple and noninvasive it is.
To give a short explanation, during the Pillar Procedure implants are placed in your soft palate, which then quickly stiffen the flesh so that vibrations — and thus snoring — are reduced or eliminated while sleeping. The implants, less than an inch in length, are made from a woven polyester material that has been safely used for decades in implantable medical devices.
This is a 20-minute in-office procedure that is done with a local anesthetic and is so painless that you can return to normal activities the same day. Plus, this is a reversible procedure, as are not the more invasive treatments, such as Sclerotherapy, Radiofrequency (RF) ablation, Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and Uvulopalato-pharyngoplasty (UPPP). The latter is particularly frightening since it often involves complete surgical removal of the palate, uvula, adenoids, pharynx and tonsils.
As mentioned earlier, the Pillar Procedure is good for chronic snoring and will also aid in controlling mild to moderate sleep apnea.
How do you know if you’re a candidate for the Pillar Procedure? First, you have to recognize that you have a snoring problem. Usually, a partner will inform you of your snoring, but if you live alone and suspect your daytime fatigue is being caused by sleep difficulties, make a video or audio recording of your sleep, or at least the first hour or so.
When you seek the help of a sleep professional, such as those at The Snoring Center who specialize in the Pillar Procedure, you can be safely evaluated to see if the Pillar Procedure or other treatment will help you get a good night’s sleep.
The main point is to seek professional help as soon as you suspect sleep difficulties or disorders.
