Los Angeles Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Jay B. Reznick, now offers the latest technology for the treatment of habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: the Pillar™ Palatal Implant System from Restore Medical Inc. This breakthrough minimally invasive treatment is designed to permanently treat socially disruptive snoring, a serious health and lifestyle problem afflicting more than 27 million Americans and their bed partners. It has also been shown effective in reducing the severity of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. “For the first time, patients have a minimally invasive snoring treatment option that is designed to produce lasting results after a single, brief office-based procedure,” said Dr. Reznick. “Clinical studies have shown that when three tiny inserts are placed in the patient’s soft palate, they alter the palate’s dynamic response to airflow and substantially reduce the severity of snoring and collapse of the airway in many individuals.”
The highly engineered, cord-like Pillar inserts are less than one inch long. They are woven from a polyester material that has been used for many years in implantable medical products. The Pillar procedure is conducted in Dr. Reznick’s office using local anesthesia. The entire procedure takes an average of less than 15 minutes. Most patients report that the procedure causes minimal discomfort and that they are able to resume normal activities and diet the same evening.
Unlike previous treatments, the Pillar inserts stiffen the soft palate without heating or removing tissue. Most existing snoring therapies involve stiffening the palate by scarring and removing tissue. While these therapies can be effective for some patients, many have to undergo multiple procedures to maintain any benefit and others see no sustainable benefit at all. The inconsistency in results can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the unpredictability of scarring responses among patients and the body’s natural tendency to remodel scars over time.
“Because of these drawbacks, some snoring and sleep apnea patients elect not to have surgery,” said Dr. Reznick. “The Pillar system offers an alternative. With strong clinical results, a one-time procedure with minimal discomfort, and the potential for a lasting effect, we are offering many patients a new and better solution.”
About Dr. Reznick:
Dr. Reznick received his undergraduate Biology degree from CAL-Berkeley, Dental degree from Tufts University in Boston, and his MD degree from the University of Southern California. He did his internship in General Surgery at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena and trained in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at L.A. County––USC Medical Center. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at USC and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His special clinical interests are in the areas of facial trauma, jaw and oral pathology, dental implantology, sleep disorders medicine, laser surgery, and jaw deformities. He also has expertise in the integration of digital photography and imaging in clinical practice. He is a Partner in the Southern California Oral and Facial Surgery Group, with offices in Tarzana and Encino, California.