Pillar Implant Procedure

Pillar implant is a new snoring treatment. It is also called as palatal restoration and it takes about ten minutes in the doctor’s office.

It is performed under local anesthetic by first numbing the area.

The pillar implant is a technique used to treat snoring. Snoring is a condition which affects the snorer and also the bed partner.

Pillar palatal implant procedure:

During the procedure, no tissue is removed. Three tiny implants made from woven polyester are injected into the soft tissues of the soft palate. The inserts are designed to be permanent which support and stiffen the soft palate.

The pillar inserts are preloaded into a specially designed hollow needle portion of the delivery tool. The physician is provided with each insert and its delivery tool in a sterile package.

The doctor inserts the needle into the soft palate to place each insert. The needle is removed after the pillar insert is left embedded in the soft palate tissue.

As these are made of plastic material, they cause stiffening response in the palate tissue itself. The support and stiffening of the soft palate will last as long as the inserts are in place.

As your throat muscles relax during sleep, the tissues which are unsupported in the back of the mouth and throat stretch and collapse.

The size of the airway is reduced and causes the soft palate to vibrate which causes snoring. Up to ninety percent of snoring is caused entirely or partly by soft palate. Pillar implant procedure stiffens the soft palate, reducing vibration during sleep.

There is no pain after the procedure because tissue is not removed or damaged and discomfort is minimal. Over the counter pain killers can be used after the procedure and most patients can resume normal activities the same day.

The pillar implant insert is designed to be permanent and the treatment effect is long lasting because the insert causes long term effect of scarring. With this effect, palate is stiffened and it changes its response to airflow.

Risks and complications of pillar implant:

There is minimum discomfort reported by patients. With pain relievers, the patient can resume to normal activities. For the first two days after the procedure, soft foods are recommended. Avoid hot drinks.

After the procedure, inserts cannot be seen in the palate. But, few patients reported feeling of minor foreign body sensation after the pillar implant procedure. The sensation is temporary and lowers after a short period of time.

There is no report of change in voice or difficulty in voice after the pillar implant procedure by the patients. The risk of complications is extremely low as it does not involve removing or damaging tissue.

Unless extrusion occurs, the pillar implants are permanent. If extrusion occurs, the procedure should be repeated. If snoring continues, the patient can go for other procedures.

Patient experiences an improvement within four to six weeks. Most patients reported reduction in snoring. Success of the procedure is based on tongue position, tonsil size, and other factors. Consult your doctor and fid whether pillar implant procedure is right for you.