If your snoring is loud enough to wake your partner — or yourself — but sleep apnea has been ruled out (or is already being treated), snoreplasty may be worth a look. It’s a quick in-office treatment that gently stiffens the soft palate to help reduce snoring.
Snoreplasty is a category of in-office procedures that stiffen the soft palate, the floppy area at the back of the roof of your mouth that vibrates when you snore. By making the tissue firmer, the palate is less likely to flutter during sleep. Some versions use a small injection of a stiffening agent (sometimes called injection snoreplasty), while others use heat or laser energy. Your provider will choose the version that fits your anatomy and preferences.
Snoreplasty may be considered if you have:
If sleep apnea is the bigger issue, that’s usually addressed first. A sleep study is often recommended before snoreplasty.
The procedure is brief and typically done in a single office visit:
Some patients need more than one session to reach the desired effect.
Most people return to normal activities the same or next day. A sore throat, a sensation of fullness in the palate, and mild swallowing discomfort are normal for several days.
Snoring often decreases over the following weeks as the palate firms up. Results vary, and some patients benefit from additional sessions or pairing snoreplasty with other treatments like an oral appliance.
Snoreplasty is generally considered safe but has potential side effects. Possible risks include:
Your provider will go over the specific risks for the technique they recommend.
If you need help deciding whether virtual care is right for you, our team is here to assist.
If you need help deciding whether virtual care is right for you, our team is here to assist.
