Sleep Disorder Treatments – Oral Appliances
Oral Appliances open the airway by bringing the lower jaw or tongue forward during sleep. Several oral devices are available. Two of the most popular are the splint and the mandibular advancement device. The splint holds the tongue in a position that allows the air passage to remain open. The mandibular advancement device, or MAD, forces the lower jaw forward to allow more room for air to flow. There may be some side effects with MAD, like pain in the jaw, but many people use it without a problem.
These devices work best for people who have mild or moderate sleep apnea, but they have been used in those with severe sleep apnea with some degree of success. They were originally devised for people who snore and work well for this complaint.
