Oral appliance therapy is one way to effectively manage snoring and sleep apnea and may be used in conjunction with other therapies. Some appliances hold the tongue forward via a suction bulb to open up the air passage. Mandibular repositioning appliances reposition and maintain the lower jaw (mandible) in a protruded position during sleep. Nasal sprays also can provide relief for snorers whose nasal passages are blocked due to swelling or increased mucous. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system delivers pressurized air through a mask that fits over the nose during sleep, keeping the airway open. Therapy may last for several weeks or months and require follow-up visits.
In some cases, surgery may be required to eliminate snoring. Procedures can include any of the following: traditional surgery, outpatient laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) to remove the uvula (not recommended for sleep apnea patients), nasal surgery to remove obstructions in the nose or to correct a deviated septum, and somnoplasty, the removal of part of the soft palate using a low-intensity radio frequency signal.