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Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling

Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling in Austin, TX

If you struggle to breathe through your nose, you already know how much it can affect your day. Chronic nasal congestion, a stuffy nose, and constantly feeling like you can’t get enough air can wear on your sleep quality, your energy, and your overall quality of life. Vivaer® nasal airway remodeling offers many patients a minimally invasive path to easier breathing, without the recovery time or risks that come with traditional nasal surgery.

Interested in learning more about Vivaer® nasal airway remodeling in Austin, TX? Get in touch with us by calling (512) 601-0303 or contacting us online today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

What is Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling?

Vivaer® is an FDA-approved, in-office treatment that uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to address nasal airway obstruction at its source. Rather than removing tissue the way traditional surgery might, the Vivaer® device gently reshapes the nasal valve area, the narrowest part of the nasal airway and a common cause of chronic nasal obstruction.

During the Vivaer® procedure, your provider gently repositions the collapsing nostril outward into a better position while applying controlled radiofrequency energy through a specially designed instrument. Most patients receive treatment to the nostril, the turbinate, and the nasal septum on both sides of the nose in a single visit, effectively stiffening and opening the entire nasal airway.

Read Blog Post: Treatments for Nasal Valve Collapse

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How Does Vivaer® Work?

Nasal airway obstruction often develops when the cartilage and soft tissue along the outer wall and lateral wall of the nose become weak or collapse inward, narrowing the nasal passages and making it harder to breathe through your nose. When radiofrequency energy is applied to this cartilage and soft tissue, it works on a cellular level to gently reshape and stiffen these nasal tissues. Over the following weeks, the treated tissue firms up, helping to hold the nasal valve open and support easier breathing, without any tissue removal, implants, or incisions.

Read Blog Post: Treatments for Nasal Valve Collapse

Who Experiences Nasal Airway Obstruction?

Nasal valve collapse and nasal airway obstruction are more common than many people realize, and they’re often mistaken for ordinary congestion. You may be dealing with nasal airway obstruction if you experience:

  • Chronic nasal congestion or a constantly stuffy nose
  • Difficulty breathing through your nose, especially during exercise or at night
  • A constant feeling that you can’t get enough air through one or both nostrils
  • Reliance on nasal strips, breathing strips, or nasal sprays that only offer temporary relief
  • Habitual snoring or disrupted sleep quality linked to nasal blockage
  • Nostrils that visibly collapse or pull inward when you breathe in

If nasal sprays, breathing strips, or other home remedies have only ever offered temporary relief, it may be time to consider a modern solution like Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling.

What Are The Benefits of Vivaer® Treatments?

At Sinus & Snoring Specialist, Vivaer® has a high patient satisfaction rate among those seeking relief from chronic nasal congestion through a non-invasive treatment. Benefits of choosing Vivaer® nasal airway remodeling include:

  • A minimally invasive, in-office procedure with no incisions or implants
  • Noticeable improvement in nasal breathing for most patients
  • Long lasting relief from chronic nasal obstruction, unlike the only temporary relief offered by nasal sprays or strips
  • No change to the outward shape or appearance of the nose
  • Minimal downtime, with most patients returning to normal activities the next day
  • A non-surgical alternative to traditional nasal surgery or turbinate reduction

Many patients tell us that finally being able to breathe freely, without the constant effort of pulling air through a blocked nose, makes a significant improvement in their ability to sleep, exercise, and their day-to-day quality of life.

Vivaer® vs. Traditional Nasal Surgery

Traditional surgery for nasal airway obstruction often involves tissue removal, general anesthesia, and a longer recovery period. Vivaer® offers an alternative for appropriately selected patients: a quick, in-office treatment option performed using local anesthesia or light IV sedation, without the need for invasive surgery or an extended recovery. While Vivaer® isn’t the right fit for every case of nasal valve obstruction, it offers a compelling non-invasive solution for many patients seeking better breathing without going straight to the operating room.

What Are the Risks of Vivaer®?

As a non-surgical procedure that does not require general anesthesia, incisions, or implants, Vivaer® nasal airway remodeling carries very little risk. The most common consideration is the possibility of inadequate correction of the underlying nasal congestion, meaning results may vary from patient to patient. Some patients experience minor crusting inside of the nose for about four weeks following treatment, along with minimal discomfort during the healing process.

How Is the Vivaer® Procedure Performed at Sinus & Snoring Specialists in Austin?

The Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling procedure is performed by Dr. Daniel Slaughter, Dr. Ryan Salvador, and Dr. Mac Ojeaga right here in our office procedure room, typically using IV sedation for your comfort. The treatment itself takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Because it’s an in-office treatment with minimal recovery required, most patients are able to return to work and normal activities the very next day.

Interested in Vicar® Nasal Airway Remodeling? Schedule a Consultation Today

If you’re ready to explore whether Vivaer® nasal airway remodeling is right for you, reach out to Sinus and Snoring Specialists in Austin, Texas. Our team can schedule a consultation and examination to discuss your symptoms, your treatment options, and the benefits you may achieve with Vivaer® treatment. Call (512) 601-0303 to speak with a friendly member of our team and take the first step toward breathing easier.

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Austin, TX Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling – FAQ

The studies to date have shown that the improvement in breathing appears to last, but because this is a new treatment, we do not have a long history to determine whether this is a permanent change.

Every insurance plan is different, but in many cases, this procedure may be covered by your insurance.

In our office, this procedure is performed under IV sedation in our procedure room. It takes about 15 minutes, and patients can return to work the next day.

VivAer® may be appropriate for adults whose nasal obstruction is caused partly by narrowing or collapse of the nasal valve. Patients may notice chronic difficulty breathing through the nose, restricted airflow during exercise, or worsening obstruction when taking a deep breath.

A nasal examination can help determine whether the nasal valve is contributing to your symptoms and whether VivAer® is an appropriate treatment option.

Possibly. If nasal strips or internal nasal dilators noticeably improve your breathing, that may indicate that opening or supporting the nasal valve improves airflow.

VivAer® addresses the nasal airway itself rather than temporarily holding the nostril open with an external or internal device. An ENT evaluation is needed to confirm whether nasal valve collapse is contributing to your obstruction.

Evaluation typically begins with a discussion of your symptoms and an examination of the inside and outside of the nose. Your ENT specialist may also assess how airflow changes when they gently support the nasal valve.

We aim to determine whether the nasal valve is the primary source of obstruction or whether other problems, such as a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, allergies, or sinus disease, are also limiting airflow.

VivAer® and septoplasty address different areas of the nasal airway. VivAer® targets obstruction from the nasal valve and surrounding tissues, while septoplasty straightens a deviated nasal septum.

Some patients have both nasal valve collapse and a deviated septum. In those cases, treating only one area may not address every source of obstruction.

It may. Nasal valve collapse can become particularly noticeable during exercise or deep inhalation because increased airflow can pull weakened nasal tissues inward.

Clinical studies of VivAer® report improved nasal breathing during exercise or exertion for many treated patients. Whether it can help your specific symptoms depends on where the obstruction is occurring.

Sometimes. VivAer® may help improve nasal airflow when nasal valve collapse contributes to nighttime obstruction. Better nasal breathing may reduce one factor involved in snoring for some patients.

However, snoring can also originate from the soft palate, tongue, throat, or other parts of the airway. A broader evaluation may be needed when snoring is a primary concern.

Yes. Nasal obstruction frequently involves more than one part of the nose. A patient may have nasal valve collapse along with a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, allergies, or another condition affecting airflow.

Identifying each source of obstruction is important because the most effective treatment plan may need to address more than one area.

In some cases. VivAer® may be used to address obstruction involving different areas of the nasal valve, depending on the patient’s anatomy. Internal and external nasal valve problems can produce similar symptoms but involve different portions of the nasal airway.

An ENT examination can identify where collapse is occurring and determine whether radiofrequency remodeling is appropriate.