Pillar procedure effectiveness

Dentist wrote:

BeanMeScot wrote:I looked into Pillar, too. The very lack of information about it convinced me it doesn't work. If something worked for someone, they would shout it from the rooftops. I just didn't see that out there. The threads on this board were 3 years old. The positive stuff I found on the net was all done by the manufacterer. I know someone who had it done and it didn't help at all. All in all, I just don't think it works.

There are a plethora of studies out there. In Sleep Vol 33, No. 10, 2010 "Surgical Modifications of the Upper Airway for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." ( This is not a company study)

Excellent citation Dentist. I will add this paper to my previous one on dental appliances so that when people ask about research on alternatives, they have information to look at to make their decisions.

49er

I am studying the possibility of the pillar procedure. One thing that jumps out to me, is googling anything to do with problems associated, or who shouldn't, all I get is article after article from manufacturers and mayo, etc. etc.

I have chronic sever dry mouth from radiation treatments, along with dentures that have to be glued in like crazy, due to no saliva. I am concerned this might rule me out as a good fit for the pillar, but nothing I google comes up with anything. I ran into this site by accident, and now pose my question.

If Pillar is such a good option, why can't I find any information on my questions? My neurologist wants me to drive 5 1/2 hours from home for a consult on this, but really think it a waste of my time. I have CPAP, nasal cannula because masks sucked and kept waking me up. Air is pulled in from around the cannula, and dries out/irritates my nasal passages, and wakes me up. Yes, I do have the humidifier, and turn it up, but that doesn't stop the drying out. I am now using breath right strips and Vicks, and not losing sleep anymore. I have never snored, but sleep study said I stopped breathing a number of times during the study.

Can anyone who has my problems please post on here and let me know if this procedure is worth pursuing with my situation?

It didn't help me, but who knows? It was easy and relatively inexpensive. A bit of discomfort at first, but no pain.

I remember 10 years ago when Pillar was going to be THE solution to apnea. It seems to have mostly faded back into the woodwork and CPAP is still the answer. If it was effective, I think it would be the new gold standard.

To me, it looks like a good idea that just didn't work out, like many of the other alternatives to CPAP.

In my opinion, most of the alternatives to CPAP are moves of desperation, borderline quackery, failed efforts, not very effective, or simply new and unproven.

I do hope we find some good and permanent CPAP alternative like we first thought the Pillar procedure would be. Nothing I've seen yet is very convincing or even seems that promising to me.

I had the Pillar Procedure done out of the Snoring Center affiliate in NYC. After approximately 6 weeks, I have noticed zero reduction in my snoring and no improvement. I paid a substantial amount of money and was told success rate is around 70%. I think this may work for some out there, but I'm an unfortunate case where this hasn't worked, so I'm severely disappointed. I did a lot of research beforehand, so I had some expectations that it was going to be 50-50. Before spending any money on this procedure, seriously consider other alternatives.

snoringinnj wrote:I had the Pillar Procedure done out of the Snoring Center affiliate in NYC. After approximately 6 weeks, I have noticed zero reduction in my snoring and no improvement. I paid a substantial amount of money and was told success rate is around 70%. I think this may work for some out there, but I'm an unfortunate case where this hasn't worked, so I'm severely disappointed. I did a lot of research beforehand, so I had some expectations that it was going to be 50-50. Before spending any money on this procedure, seriously consider other alternatives.

I am so sorry about that snoringinnj. I know I would be very disappointed also if I were in your position so I don't blame you as it sounds like you definitely did your research ahead of time.

49er

I had the procedure 6 weeks ago (3 Pillars not 5) It worked really well. Snoring did not stop entirely but my "snore score" on the SnoreLabs iPhone app dropped from 40 to 2. Essentially I spend about 6 minutes a night snoring MILDLY. i began to notice an improvement about a week after the procedure and the improvement continued steadily until it finally plateaued. Of course I wish it had eliminated my snoring entirely but I can live with the results. I feel a lot better during the day.

Have you had a follow up sleep study that says you no longer have sleep apnea (which I presume you had or you wouldn't be here)? Because you shouldn't assume you don't whether or not you stopped snoring. They do not equate to each other by a long shot.