MAS (Mandibular Advancement Splint)

Based on over 40 years of published scientific studies oral appliances are now regarded by sleep physicians as the best available treatment for snoring, and along with CPAP one of the two main treatments for sleep apnea. The appliances are made from thin yet high strength laminates and acrylic, go over the tops of the teeth and are worn during sleep. Oral appliances have been proven to be effective, safe and comfortable.

Description

Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)

What is it?

A mandibular advancement splint is a small device used for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. It is the main alternative to CPAP therapy. It is worn inside the mouth clipped onto the patient’s teeth during sleep.

Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)

Home // Sleep Disorders // Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea // Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)
What is it?

How does it work?

It is thought to work by pushing the lower jaw forward, relative to the top jaw and tensioning the back of the tongue, slightly increasing the upper airway dimensions.

How is it fitted?

The device needs to be fashioned by a specialist dentist. Good dental hygiene is required and the patient needs to have at least some upper and lower native teeth. A cast is initially taken of the patient’s teeth. This is sent away to a lab which makes the device. Over the next few weeks, the device is progressively altered to increasingly push the lower jaw forward.

Significant advantages over CPAP

No external power source is required.
The device is inconspicuous when worn.

Additional information

What to expect	What to Expect In the first few weeks, you will find the splint very uncomfortable. Your lower jaw is held forward during the night and you will experiece aching of the jaw muscle in the first few hours of the morning. You will also feel as though your teeth do not fit together properly. These symptoms usually disappear by noon. You will experience a lot of saliva and drooling in the first few weeks of wearing the splint. You may want to sleep with a hankerchief or towel on your pillowcase. Sometimes, you will wake up to find that you have unknowingly removed the splint during sleep. The initial problems will gradually go away after a while. To make it easier for you to get used to the splint, put it on 1 to 2 hours before you go to sleep.

What to expect

What to Expect

In the first few weeks, you will find the splint very uncomfortable. Your lower jaw is held forward during the night and you will experiece aching of the jaw muscle in the first few hours of the morning. You will also feel as though your teeth do not fit together properly. These symptoms usually disappear by noon.

You will experience a lot of saliva and drooling in the first few weeks of wearing the splint. You may want to sleep with a hankerchief or towel on your pillowcase. Sometimes, you will wake up to find that you have unknowingly removed the splint during sleep.

The initial problems will gradually go away after a while. To make it easier for you to get used to the splint, put it on 1 to 2 hours before you go to sleep.