EFFICACY OF MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT SPLINT TO MANAGE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

As first-line therapy, MADs are recommended for mild-to-moderate OSA and severe OSA in those who cannot tolerate or refuse to use CPAP. Compared to CPAP, MADs provide several advantages, including simplicity, portability, and patient acceptance. PubMed, Medline, and ScienceDirect databases were used to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the literature from 2001 to 2023. The search terms were "Mandibular advancement splint, obstructive sleep apnea, and randomized control studies." After screening, 11 studies were included, most of which indicated that a mandibular advancement splint is a good alternative for treating individuals with OSA. The reviewed studies provide significant insights into the safety and efficacy of several oral appliances and devices for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and associated sleep disorders. While some studies show that mandibular advancement devices (MADs) may be beneficial in enhancing subjective measures like the perception of sleep quality and the reduction of snoring, other studies emphasize that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is more effective in lowering the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).