Restore® Palatal Pillar Implants

These palatal implants, which are surgically implanted into to soft palate under local anaesthetic, are designed to stiffen the palate, and thereby reduce its vibration. It is this vibration which causes snoring. The implants are about the thickness of a match, but slightly shorter, (2mm x 18mm). They are made of Polyethylene tetrapthalate in a braided fibre format. This material is completely inert and causes no local tissue reaction. They are left in place permanently.

Many patients who have pillar implants have a sleep study first, to exclude Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, (OSA). Having excluded OSA, the procedure may be carried out. This involves injection of local anaesthetic into the area of the soft palate (as in dental injections) which numbs the area. The implants may now be placed using a pointed, needle-like introducer. No pain is felt at this stage at all. The procedure takes about 30 minutes altogether. Mild pain will be
experienced for a day or two, but is easily controlled with simple painkillers, like Paracetamol or Nurofen. No time off work is needed and eating, drinking and speech are unaffected. An odd lump-like sensation may be present for a few days while the implants settle in. Only one treatment is required, but benefit may only be noted after a few weeks. The success rate is quoted as approximately 50-60% but long-term failure can occur, especially with excessive weight gain. The implants may rarely extrude and this may require removal and possibly replacement. Implants do not compromise the possibility of having any of the other available treatments for snoring or OSA.