The procedure works through a phenomenon known as "neocollagenesis" which literally means "making new collagen". Collagen is the protein in your body that is the basic building block of many of your tissues. The laser gently heats the tissue with rapid, comfortable pulses that cause the collagen to reorganize into a firmer, in effect younger form. This technique has been used for a number of years in medical disciplines such as cosmetic surgery. When used on the face, for example, wrinkles are smoothed and facial muscles tighten.
When this procedure is performed on the soft palate and throat it causes the muscles to become firmer and less prone to collapse. This instability of the pharyngeal muscles is a common cause of snoring. Over time snoring intensity , frequency, and duration lessens noticeably in over 80 percent of patients. NightLase is NOT laser surgery as no tissue is removed at all. One of the great things about it is that even if it doesn't work all that well there has been no irreversible surgery done to the patient's throat.
I had NightLase performed on me and it was very easy. During the procedure I felt a slight pins and needles like sensation each time the laser fired that was in no way uncomfortable. My throat felt mildly scratchy for about twenty-four hours, similar to the way it feels during allergy season. I was able to eat and drink normally with no trouble at all.
The video below shows what the procedure looks like. The patient is not anesthetized and was comfortable throughout the procedure. For more information on this revolutionary procedure visit our practice website at http://www.laserdentistbaltimore.com/new11/
