Surgical Treatments for Snoring – Cost and Effectiveness

We understand that snoring must be a big issue in your life right now, as you are looking for invasive methods to stop snoring. Though there are many methods to stop snoring, there are many non-invasive ways to stop snoring. Most people use the over-the-counter ways, to stop snoring but it might not be enough for heavy snorers.

While it’s true that most individuals snore occasionally, some have a problem with chronic or frequent snoring.  Imagine waking up suddenly and not realizing that your snoring was the culprit.  That can be a frightening experience in itself.  The reason you snore is because your throat tissues relax and either partially or totally obstruct your airway.  This causes the tissues to vibrate and make the harsh or hoarse sound we commonly refer to as snoring.

Ironically, the most common reason people consider a surgical treatment for snoring is if their partner is complaining about it and how it interferes with their ability to get a decent night’s sleep.  Obviously, most individuals are reluctant to consider undergoing surgery.  However, when it’s interfering with your relationship and you’ve exhausted all your other anti-snoring options, one of several surgical procedures may be the only solution to your chronic, frequent snoring.

It is important that you talk with a medical expert to get a proper diagnosis on the real cause of your snoring. As snoring is categorized as mild, moderate to heavy, the reasons can differ individually and that is why it is important to get the right anti-snoring treatment.

What causes snoring?

Snoring is a noise that happens when airflow is obstructed through your nasal passages or mouth or the throat muscles relax when you are asleep. Any partial obstruction narrows the airways and the throat tissue vibrate as air passes through it, causing snoring. Mild or snoring occasionally isn’t a cause of concern, but chronic snoring increases the risk of many health diseases, such as cardiovascular issues and brain disorders. In some cases, snoring can be associated with OSA, but not all snoring is related to sleep apnea.

Common Surgical Treatments for Snoring

The main aim of snoring related surgery is to expand the airway so that the individual can breathe easily. Usually, the surgery is conducted by taking away the excess tissue from the soft palate. Additionally, jaw and nasal surgery can correct issues related to sleep apnea and snoring, such as:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)- It trims tissue in and around the uvula and the soft palate, removes the tonsils and surrounding tissue.
• Uvulopalatoplasty– laser is used to remove tissue from the soft palate and the uvula
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – reduces the size of the uvula, small tissue and back of the tongue

Risk Factors for Snoring

Although in some instances, snoring can be associated with OSA or obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has this disorder.  Granted, there are numerous causes that snoring can be attributed to including alcohol consumption, the anatomy of the mouth, nasal problems, sleep deprivation, or your sleeping position.  However, there are several risk factors that can contribute to a person’s snoring such as:

• being male
• excess body weight or obesity
• a family history of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring
• having a narrow airway

Although snoring is relatively harmless in most cases, it can disrupt you and your bed partner’s or spouse’s quality of sleep.
Read More: Anti-Snoring Spray Review – How Effective It Is?

Snoring surgery side effects

Some of the surgery done to stop snoring such as Radiofrequency ablation and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) reduces obstructions in the airways. However, other snoring surgery side effects include swelling, pain and difficulty in swallowing. Many have a change in speech temporarily and obstruction in the throat. Additionally, nasal regurgitation can happen while it is rare, but there maybe complications such as bleeding, infection and airway narrowing which can develop. Oftentimes, the surgery might not be able to help you stop snoring so you will need to follow up care and ensure lifestyle changes to reduce your snoring.

What should You consider before Snoring Surgery?

Anytime you discuss your snoring problem with a physician or snoring specialist, they will most likely want to address what’s causing it and not merely easing your symptoms.  Initially, they may examine the interior of your nose for any anatomical anomalies or obstructions.  If the problem is nasal or sinus congestion, they may recommend a nasal decongestant spray such as our Asonor Anti-snoring Spray and Snoring Solution depending on the severity of the congestion. It helps to tighten the nasal tissues and ensure that your nasal passages are open for proper breathing even when you are asleep.

If the exam reveals an anatomical anomaly such as a deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, or nasal polyps, they’ll discuss the ways in which these issues can be fixed or corrected.  Furthermore, they may examine your throat to see if your airflow is being obstructed by enlarged tonsils.  This is especially common in children who have chronic or frequent snoring issues.  In some cases, being overweight and excess fatty tissue in the neck could be causing you to snore.  These are just a few examples.

Surgical Procedures for Snoring

In the more severe snoring cases, a physician or specialist may recommend surgical treatment for snoring.  As such, the resulting relief from snoring would be a pleasant side effect of snoring surgery. Depending on the root cause, there are 8 different surgeries that can be performed to correct chronic or frequent snoring issues including:

• Genioglossus advancement – as a surgical treatment for snoring, this procedure pulls the muscle that attaches your tongue to the lower jaw forward.  Consequently, this causes the tongue to be firmer and less likely to relax while you sleep.

• Hyoid suspension – by moving the base of the tongue and the epiglottis forward, this surgical procedure opens your breathing passageway deeper into your throat.

• Hypoglossal nerve stimulation – by stimulating the nerve that controls the upper airway muscles, this procedure can help reduce snoring by keeping your airway open.  The nerve is stimulated by a surgically implanted device.

• Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) – this extensive surgical treatment for snoring moves the lower and upper jaw forward to keep your airway open and reduce the likelihood of snoring.

• Midline glossectomy and lingualplasty – this surgery increases the airway opening by reducing the size of your tongue.

• Palatal implant or pillar procedure – this minor procedure involves implanting plastic (polyester) rods into the upper palate of the mouth.  This makes the tongue more rigid, thereby making it less likely to vibrate and cause you to snore.

• Septoplasty and turbinate reduction – this procedure straightens bones and tissues in the center of your nose or decreasing the amount of nasal tissue.

• Uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) – some of the soft tissues at the back and top of the throat are removed during this procedure.  This keeps your airway open and makes it easier to breathe while you sleep.

How much do these Snoring Surgeries cost?

In some cases, snoring surgery costs may be covered by your healthcare insurance, especially when your snoring has been diagnosed as a side effect of OSA or some other medical condition.  Even with your healthcare insurance coverage, the cost of your surgery could range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.  Without insurance, you could be looking at a cost of $10,000 or more.

For the temporary relief of snoring, Asonor Anti-snoring Spray and Snoring Solution Online has been clinically proven effective in 3 out of every 4 cases studied.  With non-allergic ingredients, it is safe to use. To learn more, visit our website at your earliest convenience or call our customer care executives to resolve your queries today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, though there are multiple surgeries to stop snoring, it would cost anywhere between $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the location and procedure. Though it is effective especially when the physical issues are causing you to snore but as always, surgery might have risks and side effects.

FAQs

Is there a surgery to fix snoring?

Yes, some of the surgical procedures include Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, septoplasty, and Inspire therapy, that can widen airways and help reduce snoring.

What is the best medical treatment for snoring?

Treatment depends on the cause of your snoring. However, CPAP therapy, nasal surgery, oral anti-snoring devices can help reduce the snoring.

What is the surgery device for snoring?

Inspire device is a surgically implanted nerve stimulator that stimulates the throat muscles to stay tight and keep the airways open.

How much does snoring surgery cost?

It varies from $2000 to 10,000 depending on the procedure, location and the surgeon. Medical insurance covers it if needed.

Is snore surgery painful?

It can cause mild to moderate pain based on the surgery you opted for. With medication, discomfort is manageable.

Can snoring be cured permanently?

Yes, sometimes it can be cured permanently. By addressing the main cause and starting on weight loss, lifestyle changes or even surgery, it can be done.