Mandibular Advancement Devices

[Homerec130]

Talked to my dentist about these and his comment was don't even think about it. He feels they are not worth the problems they create with TMJ, jaw misalignment and other issues. He has had a couple of patients ask him to make one, and he refused and explained why.

Homer

[BlinkyGeorgia]

My son invited me to accompany him to his sleep dentist for an adjustment. I went. His dentist uses a dental device but advised me that they are effective only 70-85% of the time and then only for patients with mild to moderate apnea. He said they would be a waste for those with severe apnea. I have severe apnea. So...................................   Back to the mask. BTW: I'm  very pleased with the Airfit P10 mask. It was the only one that I could adjust to fit without noisy air loss! Domestic tranquility at last!  <gr>

[maucat]

I tried one a few years back. It was expensive and ultimately didn't work and it wasn't that I wasn't motivated. It was made by a dentist specializing in these devices. I have moderate sleep apnea but I thought I'd give it a try. It was not comfortable so it's one kind of discomfort or the other. I'm back on cpap.

[CB91710]

Does anyone have experience with these devices for controlling sleep apnea? Are they preferable to masks and pumps?

Yes
No

Created a painful TMJ condition and did nothing to help my apnea.
I could not properly close my jaw to chew food for several hours after getting up.

[sonicboom]

The other, in my view, major problem with MADs is that there is no nightly data to measure the efficacy of the appliance other than the "how do I feel in the AM' test. One could add a pulse oximeter to the nightly routine which would give info on desats but no info on AHI.

[klv329]

I have used one in the past with a cap machine. It seems to help open the airway a bit, but my OA obstruction is mainly farther down in the throat when the muscles relax during sleep. Sometimes the jaw joint would be tender.

Of course, the MAD doesn't treat my sleep transition issues that require a Resmed ASV.

I may get a new MAD to see if it helps hold my jaw in place when using FFM.