How do Mandibular advancement Splints work?
Despite what many people think, CPAP is not your only option to treat snoring or sleep apnoea. Mandibular advancement splints (or MAS) are a comfortable and portable alternative that have been shown to work just as well as CPAP for those with mild to moderate sleep apnoea and snoring. They can also be called mandibular advancement devices (MADs), snore guard, anti snoring device, dental sleep device or oral appliance.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is when your upper airway narrows or gets blocked when you are asleep, reducing your airflow. This triggers your brain to wake you up to keep breathing and the cycle continues throughout the night. This can stop you from sleeping soundly leaving you waking up tired, foggy or unrefreshed. It can also prevent organs like your brain and heart from getting enough oxygen.
Untreated, OSA can increase your risk of
Dementia
Depression
Heart disease
Diabetes
and many others.
So How Do They work?
When we fall asleep, the muscles around our throat relaxes. For some people this causes the throat and back of the tongue to collapse, partially or fully blocking the airway. A mandibular advancement splint (or MAS) works by holding your jaw forward which pulls the base of your tongue forward opening the space in the back of your throat so that you can breathe properly.
What are the Benefits of Using a MAS?
Compared to CPAP, MAS have been shown to be more comfortable and convenient. They are small, portable and discrete. You don't need power so you can take it caravaning, camping or on the plane with you. They don't make any noise and there is nothing sitting on your face.
How Effective are They?
Studies have shown that they are as effective as CPAP for snoring and mild - moderate sleep apnoea. Some people also use them with their CPAP machine to help treat severe disease and lower the pressures needed by their CPAP to help make it more comfortable.
Does Custom Matter?
Not all appliances are created equal, or as comfortable. A custom appliance fitted by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine means it will fit comfortably, securely and it can be calibrated until it works. Finding the optimal jaw position is not always simple and the adjustability is one of the key reasons custom devices always outperform the non custom options in both effectiveness and long term use.
What side effects could I experience?
Many of the side effects you experience with MAS are temporary. Just like wearing in new shoes, these go away on their own as you get used to wearing the device. These can include TMJ pain, teeth pain, drooling, dry mouth and others.
Over time you can have some changes in your bite which are usually minor and not noticeable. Your experienced dentist will help you manage any side effects.
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