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In some cases, common remedies for snoring are just not going to solve the problem. There are cases where the only way to stop snoring is to undergo surgery.

There are several types of surgical procedures to stop snoring. The one that’s best for you will depend on your body and the contributing factors to your snoring problem.

The type of surgeon you would consult to find out what your best option is would be a otolaryngologist. They specialize in the ears, nose and throat. Unfortunately, many insurance companies consider snoring surgery a cosmetic procedure and don’t cover the costs.

LAUP

Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is one of the more common types of surgery for dealing with snoring. In a LAUP procedure, the uvula (the dangling tissue at the back of your mouth) is cut away with a laser. This has the effect of reducing its contact with your throat.

If your snoring is caused by the uvula partially blocking your airway, this surgery can make a difference.

Somnoplasty

Somnoplasty is another fairly common type of snoring surgery. This is a trade name for radio frequency ablation, or RFTA and is a relatively recent form of surgery.

RFTA is another method for reducing the size of the uvula, helping to minimize its contact with your throat. With RFTA, you may need multiple sessions before you see results, and because it is a fairly new procedure, there is not a lot of data published on it yet.

Another recent procedure is know as Coblation-Channeling, a method using radio frequency to reduce the tissue in the airway itself. This procedure is even newer than RFTA however, so again there is not a lot of data published on it yet.

Repose

Another fairly recent procedure for dealing with snoring problems is called tongue suspension which goes under the tradename Repose. This type of surgery helps to keep your tongue from blocking your airways while you sleep.

A small screw gets inserted into your lower jawbone and stitches are placed underneath your tongue, helping to keep your tongue in place during the night.

The final procedure we’ll discuss is nasal deviation surgery. Blockages in your nose or a deviated septum can both restrict your breathing, leading to snoring. This type of surgery helps to remove those blockages and free up your airflow.

An interesting side effect of this surgery is that it also helps to improve your breathing during the day. For that reason, it is often covered by medical insurance policies.

As with any type of serious treatment, you should always consult with a medical professional before considering any surgery. Talk to your doctor about your snoring to get their informed opinion of what treatment would be best suited for your situation.