Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) is an effective treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. It’s also known as mandibular device for repositioning (MRD).
Based on the American Sleep Apnea Association, millions of people across the United States snore while sleeping. Snoring is not just an unpleasant sound but it can also disrupt a person’s sleep and lower the overall quality of sleep.
A mandibular advance device might be a solution. Learn more about it here.
Around 22 million people in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea. As a person’s body relaxes, their throat is also relaxed. The relaxation causes a narrowing of the airway, which produces distinct snoring noises when breathing.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes the throat’s walls to shut completely, which blocks breathing.
A lot of people don’t realize that they suffer from sleep apnea. Common symptoms, besides snoring, include:
experiencing unusually tiredness during the day
A sudden awakening during the night
issues with focus and memory
The breathing stops while asleep, which a partner will usually notice
migraines that start in the morning
People who think that they could be affected by this condition might think about an examination of their sleep, which will confirm the existence of sleep apnea. Upon diagnosis by a sleep specialist, they can suggest treatment options.
The treatments for sleep apnea comprise:
Lifestyle changes, like shifting sleep places, weight loss and allergy treatment
surgery
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) appliance
oral devices, like MADs, for instance. MAD
CPAP is the most commonly used treatment for sleep apnea.
A MAD is a different treatment method that people can try. It is a temporary method of moving the tongue and jaw forward, which decreases constriction of the throat and stops sleep apnea as well as snoring. Moving the tongue forward will increase the airway space.
Certain MADs are semi-customized or custom-designed and fit a specific person’s mouth. Others are also known as boil-and-bite MADs, are available at a cost of over-the-counter (OTC). They feature soft materials that become more pliable under temperatures of boiling. The act of rubbing down on the mold’s flexible surface helps in fitting the device.
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The authors of a 2018 review note that more study is needed to assess the effectiveness of each type of MAD.
It is crucial to remember this MADs are not suitable for patients who wear dentures or have grave dental issues.
The major benefit of using the MA device is that it assists in reducing the amount of sleep apnea and snoring.
A study from 2000 on 22 individuals’ use of MADs for 12 to 30 months indicates that the devices are effective in treating sleep apnea as well as snoring.
Every single participant wanted to use the MADs. The number of participants was very small.
In the report of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, people likely to reap the greatest benefit from MADs are those who:
patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea
young people
those with sleep apnea who improves when sleeping on their backs
females
those who have a receding jaw structure (also known as retrognathic mandible)
The following individuals are more likely to not see improvement in their symptoms due to MADs:
older adults
people who are overweight and who have excess fat tissue around the neck
those with a stiff jaw who have a stiff jaw, which can make advancement difficult
those suffering from dental problems, such as gum disease
those suffering from central sleep apnea, which is a neurological condition as opposed to a mechanical condition.
Find out more about central sleep apnea here.
Although a MAD may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms and the snoring problem, there are side effects. This can include:
discomfort around the jaw and mouth area
toothache
excessive drooling
dry mouth
gum irritation
The side effects of using the MA device are typically mild. But, they could lead people to forego treatment by a MAD.
While CPAP is the gold standard treatment for sleep apnea, individuals are not always able to keep up with treatment. A majority of patients taking CPAP therapy for sleep apnea end up abandoning treatment.
A study published in the journal of Thoracic Disease indicates that MADs are helpful for patients with mild sleep apnea or have difficulty struggling with CPAP treatment.
CPAP can be more efficient overall than MADs to treat sleep apnea. However, patients tend to choose MADs more often and this method is cheaper than CPAP.
Comparatively to CPAP, MADs are portable they take up virtually no physical space in the bedroom, and do not create noise. They also don’t require power. But, they’re not for everyone.
The American Thoracic Society explain that MADs are useful for improving symptoms but not for completely control of sleep apnea. They say that CPAP will more often provide immediate relief from symptoms of sleep apnea.
In addition to CPAP and MADs treatments for sleep apnea, other alternatives include:
Surgery: Surgical intervention for sleep apnea generally involves removing any excess tissue from the back of the throat to reduce airway restriction.
Weight loss: This solution can ease sleep apnea symptoms through reducing the neck’s fatty tissues.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption: Doing both can lower the risk of constricted airways over time.
Nasal decongestants, as well as other OTC allergy medications can increase the flow of air and assist people in breathing through their noses when they sleep.
Change your sleeping position: You might try switching their sleeping positions and lying on their side to test whether symptoms diminish. People with this condition are more likely to experience symptoms when sleeping on their back.
Mandibular advancement devices provide a beneficial tool to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
They can be used with little or no negative side effects, are simple to utilize, and are more affordable than CPAP.
However, MADs don’t work well for all. People suffering from severe sleep apnea, also known as central sleep apnea might not be able to find relief using these devices.
People who are worried that they may have sleep apnea should speak with their doctor or see an expert in sleep. A sleep study could prove a confirmation of a diagnosis for sleep apnea. A specialist can then suggest solutions.