Did you know that 67% of the population snores? People who snore typically have an airway issue, and that can complicate other systemic health issues. One major airway issue is tethered oral tissue (TOT), which may cause airway obstruction. TOTs need to be identified and treated at the earliest age possible. When it goes undiagnosed and untreated, they can lead to major health complications and negatively affect overall function.

In the past, patients who needed intervention for snoring could opt for uncomfortable oral appliances, uncomfortable pull-forward splints, or invasive orthognathic surgery. With a particular a 9.3 micron laser-assisted application, these patients now have a fast and effective alternative. This is an easy-to-administer protocol for use with a 9.3 micron all-tissue dental laser (Solea, Convergent Dental, Needham, Mass., USA) that provides patients with rapid relief by tightening and stiffening collagen in the soft palate. Tightening and stiffening this tissue reduces vibrations that commonly cause patients to snore. Unlike surgical procedures that require long and painful recoveries, this nonsurgical treatment allows patients to immediately return to their daily routines with little to no discomfort.