Palatal implant

A palatal implant is a special type of oral implant that is designed to relieve snoring and other disturbing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Although a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is considered the “gold standard” of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, palatal implants are showing more promise, especially for patients who are unable to sleep well wearing a CPAP and either pull it off in the middle of the night or don’t wear it at all because it’s uncomfortable. In some cases, a palatal implant is used as a first-line treatment. A palatal implant changes the characteristics of the soft tissue of the palate, stiffening it and altering how air flows around it. The device is a group of three cylinder-shaped braided polyester filaments that are implanted permanently into the soft palate, which will relieve snoring by changing the flow of air through the nose and mouth and into the lungs.