Better Sleep. Better Health. Better Living.
Snoring that keeps your partner awake sends many people searching for NightLase laser in San Antonio. NightLase is a laser treatment that firms the soft tissue at the back of your throat. Firmer tissue vibrates less as you breathe, which means less noise.
At Fountain of Youth Dental the goal is not simply to stop a noise. Snoring can be a warning sign, so we check your airway and compare options without pressure. Dr. Chris Cappetta has practiced in San Antonio for more than 35 years. He has used dental lasers in patient care since 2013. Patients from Oak Hills and Balcones Heights come here because he works alongside your medical team.
What Is NightLase Laser Treatment for Snoring?
Snoring that keeps your partner awake is a problem you have probably lived with for years. NightLase laser treatment reduces snoring by firming the soft tissue at the back of your throat. It involves no incisions and no stitches. The FDA has cleared the treatment for snoring reduction. It is performed right here in the office.
Dr. Chris Cappetta, DDS has practiced dentistry in San Antonio since 1989. He holds national certification in hard and soft tissue lasers. Roughly the top 6 percent of dentists carry that dual qualification. He also belongs to the American Dental Association and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Patients from Oak Hills and Balcones Heights come to Fountain of Youth Dental for that depth. Laser work is central to this practice rather than an occasional add-on.
How Does NightLase Stop Snoring?
Snoring happens when loose tissue in your airway flutters as you breathe during sleep. NightLase uses an erbium laser to warm 4 areas of that airway: the soft palate, the uvula, the tonsil area and the tongue base. Warming the tissue below the surface triggers new collagen over the following weeks. Firmer tissue vibrates less, which is why results build gradually rather than overnight.
- The soft palate and uvula relax while you sleep, and air pushes past them
- That flutter is the sound your partner hears through the wall
- The laser warms those same tissues without cutting or removing anything
- Your body responds by producing collagen, which is what gives tissue its firmness
- Firmer tissue holds its shape better during sleep and flutters less
- Nothing is added to your mouth and nothing is left behind afterward
The tissue you already have simply firms up. NightLase leaves no device to wear at night and no daily maintenance. Results build over several weeks as the collagen response develops. They vary from person to person depending on anatomy. Dr. Cappetta examines your airway before recommending treatment so you know what to expect in your own case.
Is Snoring the Same Thing as Sleep Apnea?
No. Snoring is a sound. Sleep apnea is a disorder where you stop breathing repeatedly overnight. Plenty of people snore without having apnea, and that distinction matters here more than anything. No dentist can diagnose sleep apnea from snoring alone, and neither can anyone without a sleep study.
The signs of sleep apnea go well beyond noise. They include gasping during sleep, breathing pauses your partner notices, and morning headaches. If you fall asleep during the day despite a full night in bed, get tested first. Dr. Cappetta screens for these signs at every consultation. He coordinates a referral with your physician when the picture calls for it. Our full range of snoring and sleep apnea treatment covers what happens after testing.
