Radiofrequency Ablation of the Tongue
The doctor can determine if your tongue or soft palate is contributing to your snoring or sleep apnea and recommend the best treatments for you.
Radiofrequency ablation can tighten and shrink the tongue and soft palate tissue to improve your quality of sleep. A small probe is used to deliver radiofrequency energy to the treatment area in the back of your throat. This can help with snoring and with mild forms of sleep apnea.
Causes for a large or obstructive tongue:
Congenital
Symptoms of an enlarged or obstructive tongue:
Snoring, choking at night, pauses in breathing at night, daytime sleepiness.
Benefits of Removing Radiofrequency Ablation
Enlarges the airway
Minimally invasive
Manages sleep apnea
Manages snoring
Patient goes home the same day
What to Expect
Dr. Davis performs this procedure in a nearby operating room on an outpatient basis. For some patients, ablation of the soft palate can be performed in our office. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with other procedures to treat snoring or sleep apnea; however, tongue ablation itself only takes a few minutes. Patients go home the same day and we prescribe medications and recommend popsicles to control discomfort.
*Results may vary and are not guaranteed*