The Pillar Procedure is the name of a new procedure for snoring that seems to be less invasive and more effective for those who have tried it.  It is done on an outpatient basis, does not interfere with normal diet or other activities, and has shown to be effective in some 80% of patients.  But what is this new procedure for snoring and how does it work?  Let's examine some of the basic facts in this article, and then you can decide if this procedure is the answer you've been looking for to cure your snoring – or the snoring of the person sleeping next to you!

The Pillar Procedure addresses one of the anatomical components of sleep apnea and snoring: the soft palate.  During this new procedure for snoring, 4-5 tiny woven inserts are placed into the soft palate to help reduce the vibration that causes snoring and the ability of the soft palate to obstruct the airway.  Once in place, the inserts add structural support to the soft palate and, over time, the body's natural tissue response to the inserts increases the structural integrity of the soft palate.

Designed especially for this new procedure for snoring, Pillar inserts are made of material used in implantable medical devices for more than 50 years. They are designed to be invisible, and should not be felt or interfere with swallowing or speech.  Many patients resume normal diet and activities the same day after receiving this new procedure for snoring.  There are very few side effects reported beyond mild discomfort, and none that have been reported that would make a patient regret having the procedure in the first place.

Success with the Pillar Procedure can be influenced by tongue position, tonsil size and other factors.  Obviously it will not work for absolutely everyone, but an 80% success rate is something that definitely recommends it!  Additionally, there may be other issues that are causing your snoring, such as obesity, a collapsed uvula, and other factors that may not be corrected with such a procedure.