Overview
There are a variety of treatments to improve breathing through the nose. Latera implant is a procedure for nasal obstruction or difficulty breathing through the nose due to nostril collapse when breathing in. The nose is our natural airway that warms and humidifies the air, which is more pleasant and relaxing than breathing through the mouth. Obstruction can cause snoring, disrupted sleep patterns, mouth breathing, drooling and more. Blockage may be intermittent or constant and involve one or both sides of the nose.
Who is a candidate?
If you have ever needed Breathe Right® strips, you probably have nasal valve collapse. Nasal valves are the narrowest portion of nasal airway, so even a little narrowing can cause blockage. The tissues sometimes collapse just from air movement during inhalation and can collapse to the point of complete obstruction. One way to tell is watching yourself breathe in the mirror. Take a breath and see if you see the sides collapse. If they do, then you have it.
Good candidates for additional sinus and nasal procedures include patients who have the following:
- All types of rhinitis
- A deviated septum
- Enlarged nasal turbinates (skin folds in the nose that shrink and swell)
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Prior injuries such as nasal fractures
What to expect
LATERA is a new technology that involves insertion of a thin implant. This is inserted through an in-office procedure under local anesthesia and provides increased structural support to prevent nasal valve collapse.
Additional treatments can also include nasal medications and sprays, allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops), repair of a deviated septum or enlarged structures in the nose (turbinates), sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty and treatment of nasal valve collapse. Medicines and allergy treatments help alleviate symptoms in mild cases.