Use of Laser in Sleep Disorders: A Review on Low Laser Uvulopalatoplasty

Abstract

Study Objective. The objective of this study is to find the effectiveness of the low laser therapy on uvulopalatoplasty/soft palate in sleep apnea patients and snoring. Also, this study aims to touch base on the effectiveness of the Er:YAG and combined use of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers for the uvulopalatoplasty. Methods. A comprehensive and systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, the US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry, WHO Library, and Medline. The search strategies were developed to cover publications from January 2010 through March 2020. The past 10 years of the search were performed to report the data following systematic review and meta-analysis protocol (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Results. With the help of keywords, the total number of abstracts identified was 946. These abstracts were further reviewed as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 106 abstracts were identified to match the selection criteria. Further review of full articles resulted in 12 articles that matched the inclusion criteria for the study. Conclusion. Er:YAG can be a good alternative and least invasive therapy for managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Er:YAG therapy is considered to nonsurgical intervention with minimum side effects and can be performed chairside.

Novel Therapies for Preventing, Managing and Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring in Pediatric and Adult Patients

“…The panel reviewed 2 meta-analyses 112,113 and several studies addressing NALT in treating adult OSA or snoring. [114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124] The majority of the studies used Er:YAG 2940-nm laser stimulation.…”

“…[114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124] The majority of the studies used Er:YAG 2940-nm laser stimulation. The successful outcomes reported in one of the review articles 113 confounded ablative and nonablative studies as well as animal studies and, therefore, overstated the limited evidence to support NALT. The limitations to the studies included lack of control groups and control group dropout data.…”

Combined Oral Appliance Therapy and Adjunctive Minimally Invasive Er:YAG Laser Therapy for Complete Resolution of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Clinical Case Report

“…As early as 2011, dentists were using erbiumdoped yttrium aluminium garnet lasers (Er:YAG) in a nonsurgical manner to decrease snoring to improve patient quality of life. 4 The use of nonsurgical lasers for treating snoring has become very popular, with two lasers dominating the market: the Lightwalker AT-S by Fotona (specific protocol for snoring: Nightlase) and the Solea by Convergent (specific laser protocol for snoring: Solea Sleep). 5,6 However, as of 2020, research still showed that although nonsurgical laser therapy was able to significantly decrease snoring, it is not an effective treatment for OSA.…”