NightLase®

Another treatment option we’re excited to offer is NightLase®. Using two special lasers, we can shrink tissues to increase the tone of the soft palate area (roof of your mouth). As your tissues shrink and tone, so does their contribution to snoring and sleep apnea. In fact – many people notice a remarkable difference after just one treatment! Depending on your unique situation, treatment may consist of 3 or more 20-minute treatments. People with severe snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may require more sessions. After you have felt the optimal results, you will just need an annual maintenance appointment, although severe cases may need to be treated twice a year after the initial sessions.

Benefits of NightLase® Treatment

Increased nasal breathing – the air you breathe is filtered and moistened before reaching your lungs.
Better energy & endurance – the production of Nitric Oxide while nose breathing lets your body absorb more oxygen.
Reduction of exaggerated gag reflex – an enlarged uvula (the fleshy tissue hanging at the back of your throat) can cause breathing issues and an exaggerated gag reflex. Treating this area diminished issues.
Decreased snoring frequency and tone – patients enjoy an average 50% reduction in snoring volume and tone after the very first treatment.
Better sleep for both the sufferer and their bed partner – restful sleep is responsible for memory, muscle growth & recovery, fat burning, and hormone regulation.

The Mallampati Score

The Mallampati score is a simple test that can be a good predictor of obstructive sleep apnea. In anesthesia, the Mallampati score (or Mallampati classification) is used to predict the ease of intubation. It can also be used to predict whether a patient might have obstructive sleep apnea. I use the image in Figure 1, below, to show patients what I am seeing when I look at the back of their throats. The higher their score, the more likely they will have sleep apnea, although it is not 100% predictive..

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"I have been very fortunate to have been a patient of Dr. Edward Yates since 2004. He has taken exceptional care of me and my family, particularly providing my children with the most amazing smiles! His pain management is amazing, I have never experienced any discomfort during the root canals and crowns that he has performed for me. His technology is outstanding, crowns are completed in one visit. Dr. Yates and his staff are outstanding!"

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