FAQs About the Snoring Treatment Procedure Itself

There are several key differences:

• Minimally invasive. The Pillar^® Procedure is done in 1 brief office visit. Other treatments to stop snoring may require multiple treatments over a series of visits, or an operating room procedure. Some patients have more than 1 part of the airway that causes their snoring. This sometimes requires multiple or combination snoring treatments that address each area. An advantage of the Pillar Procedure is that you can still have these other procedures if you need them. The Pillar Procedure is reversible if necessary (by removing the implants).
• Minimal discomfort. The Pillar Procedure doesn’t involve the permanent surgical removal of tissue. It’s laser surgery for snoring and it doesn’t require using radiofrequency energy or chemicals to destroy tissue. The Pillar Procedure causes minimal discomfort and most patients resume normal diet and activities the same day.
• Results. Some patients report a noticeable improvement in their snoring problems within weeks, while others may take up to 3 months to realize the full benefit of the Pillar Procedure, which is designed to have a lasting effect.

During the Pillar^® Procedure, a doctor places 3 tiny woven implants into the soft palate using a sterile delivery tool. Over time, the implants, together with the body’s natural fibrotic response, add structural support to stiffen the soft palate and reduce the tissue vibration that can cause snoring. It also reduces the tissue collapse that can obstruct the upper airway and cause sleep apnea. See a video of How the Pillar Procedure Works.

Each patient receives 3 Pillar implants. Each Pillar implant is preloaded into a specially designed, single-use, sterile delivery tool. The physician uses 3 separate delivery tools to place the 3 implants into the muscle of the soft palate. The Pillar^® Procedure does not require the removal of any soft palate tissue.

The Pillar^® Procedure can be performed in approximately 20 minutes during 1 short visit to the doctor’s office.

The soft palate is almost always involved in chronic snoring, but there may be other factors as well, such as blockage of the nasal airway, tonsils, and adenoids. If your soft palate is contributing to your snoring problem or sleep apnea, the Pillar^® Procedure may be a good option for you. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor should examine your upper airway to determine if you are a good candidate for the Pillar Procedure.

Congratulations, you’ve decided to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle for you and your bed partner. The first step is to make an appointment with an ENT doctor or Pillar^® Procedure specialist for an initial consultation. The Pillar Procedure requires specific training, so to find a qualified doctor in your area, use our Find a Specialist.