Snoring at night is a common occurrence for many people. However, excessive snoring may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition known as sleep apnea. This condition reduces your quality of sleep and negatively affects your overall health. At Scottsdale Laser Dentistry, we offer laser treatment for sleep apnea to alleviate your symptoms and help you sleep better. Our laser dentistry in Scottsdale are ideal for you if you are looking for an alternative to oral appliances or can’t tolerate them.
We pride ourselves on our use of modern technology that allows us to treat issues like sleep apnea effectively and efficiently in a minimally invasive manner. When you visit our practice, our team will listen to you, address your concerns, and attend to your needs in a safe and comfortable environment. If you struggle with sleep apnea in Scottsdale, get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment.
Sleep apnea is a breathing condition characterized by a pause in your breathing that occurs multiple times while asleep. When this happens, your brain sends signals to your body, causing you to awaken to restart your breathing. The condition can also be life-threatening as it contributes to the development or worsening of various health issues.
There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and happens when your airways get blocked for reasons such as your muscles relaxing or your soft palate and tongue collapsing to the back of your throat. Central apnea results from your brain not sending your body signals to trigger breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome is when you struggle with both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a recognized medical condition that can have serious negative consequences on your health and life. Studies are showing that sleep apnea can shorten your lifespan by many years. Symptoms of sleep apnea can include waking up tired, difficulty concentrating during the day and drowsiness during the day. People with sleep apnea are usually irritable and forgetful as well. Sleep apnea is easily identified by your sleep partner who will tell you that you’re snoring. Loss of quality sleep from snoring and sleep apnea can result in serious cardiac and neurological side effects.
Understanding sleep apnea symptoms can help you seek appropriate treatment and prevent related complications. So how do you know you have sleep apnea? Below are signs to watch out for:
Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risks of a heart attack, high blood pressure, and even stroke. Repeatedly pausing your breathing leads to a low oxygen level in the blood and more carbon dioxide. This causes your heart to work harder to compensate for the low oxygen levels. Don’t hesitate to seek our Scottsdale sleep apnea solutions if you notice the above symptoms.
The traditional treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP device (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). This machine helps keep the airway open by delivering steady airflow during sleep. However, some patients find CPAP therapy uncomfortable, experience jaw soreness, or struggle with long-term use. At Scottsdale Laser Dental, we offer NightLase® laser therapy as a modern, non-invasive option designed to improve breathing and support overall wellness.
NightLase is a non-invasive laser treatment that helps reduce snoring and improve airway function. The procedure works by gently stimulating collagen production in the soft palate using advanced Er:YAG laser technology. This tightening effect helps open the airway, allowing improved airflow and more comfortable breathing during sleep. NightLase is a safe and effective alternative for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy or oral appliance devices. No injections, anesthesia, or surgery are required.
NightLase helps improve sleep quality by supporting natural oxygen flow while you rest. The gentle laser energy stimulates collagen rejuvenation to tighten soft tissue at the back of the mouth, helping reduce airway obstruction. Because there is no cutting, needles, or anesthesia involved, most patients experience little to no discomfort and can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
NightLase® stimulates collagen remodeling and neo-collagenesis, encouraging the growth of new collagen fibers. This process tightens soft tissues in the back of the mouth, increasing airway space and reducing tissue obstruction that contributes to snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
NightLase is an excellent option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, do not wish to wear mandibular positioning appliances, or want to avoid invasive surgery. In some cases, NightLase may be used alongside other treatments to further improve airway volume and breathing efficiency.
NightLase treatment uses laser light to gently warm and tighten tissue in the back of the throat, significantly reducing snoring sounds and improving airflow. The procedure is performed in two simple phases:
The laser gently warms the soft tissue to prepare it for treatment.
The laser energy stimulates collagen production, strengthening and tightening the tissue.
A full NightLase treatment typically includes three sessions scheduled approximately 21 days apart. Results are often noticeable after the first session, with improvements lasting up to one year. Completing the full treatment series is recommended to achieve optimal results.
NightLase is simple and well-tolerated by most patients, with minimal to no discomfort reported. Clinical research has shown that NightLase can reduce snoring symptoms in approximately 80% of treated patients.
When you visit our practice, we begin with a convenient at-home sleep study to evaluate the severity of your condition. This study monitors breathing patterns, heart rate, body position, and oxygen levels during sleep to determine whether your sleep apnea is mild, moderate, or severe. If severe sleep apnea is detected, additional treatment options may be recommended.
Once your evaluation is complete, our team will schedule your first NightLase treatment. The laser targets the soft palate, base of the tongue, and floor of the mouth to improve airway function. During treatment, the laser stimulates collagen production, strengthens tissue, and promotes healing for faster recovery.
After completing the standard three-session treatment plan, we conduct a follow-up sleep study to evaluate improvement and determine whether additional treatment is beneficial.
Each NightLase session typically takes less than one hour. Treatment plans are customized based on your condition and response to therapy. Some patients benefit from periodic maintenance treatments, which can be conveniently performed during routine dental visits.
Our goal is to reduce nighttime breathing interruptions and improve the overall quality of your sleep.
Laser therapy offers several advantages compared to traditional oral appliances or surgical procedures, including:
NightLase allows patients to improve sleep quality without the discomfort of wearing oral appliances or using CPAP equipment.
If you struggle with sleep apnea and want to avoid CPAP devices or oral appliances, NightLase laser therapy may be right for you. At Scottsdale Laser Dentistry, our team is committed to helping patients achieve better sleep using advanced, innovative treatment options.
If you are concerned about sleep apnea or chronic snoring, contact our Scottsdale office today to schedule a consultation.
