NightLase

NightLase Snoring Treatment

Fotona Nightlase therapy is a laser treatment to increase the quality of a patient’s sleep. It reduces the effects of sleep apnea and decreases the amplitude of snoring through a gentle, laser-induced tightening effect caused by the contraction of collagen in the oral mucosa tissue.

Snoring occurs when turbulent airflow causes the nose and throat tissues to vibrate. This is due to a narrow pharyngeal airway at a point in the nose, mouth or throat. To cure snoring, Fotona Nightlase treatment is designed to increase airway size and decrease tissue turbulence. It uses a gentle laser that heats the tissue at the back of the throat, allowing air to flow more freely.

The laser has a tightening effect caused by contraction of collagen in the oral mucosa tissue. As the tissue contracts, the airway expands and vibrations of the pharyngeal soft tissue are eliminated. This reduces the effects of sleep apnea and decreases the amplitude of snoring. Gentle Erbium laser heats the tissue at the back of the throat, allowing air to flow more freely.

The diagram above depicts airway size. The closer the soft palate gets to the tongue, the smaller the airway and the greater probability of snoring. Class 1 means lower potential for snoring, while class IV means high risk of snoring. The goal of Fotona Nighlase treatment is to improve patients’ airway size to as high a class as possible. Many patients see improvement from class IV to II, or class III to 1 after undergoing treatment.