Sleep apnea devices can cause dental side effects

This is about Mandibular Advancement Devices. That means a device - usually prescribed by dentists - to reposition your jaw to prevent (or at least reduce) the occurrence of Sleep Apnea. I also don't know if there is any version of this device that can monitor compliance and efficacy. Since CPAP is the "gold standard" for the treatment of Sleep Apnea, this is presumably for those who can't or won't use CPAP.

The article suggest that - over time - nightly use of this device can cause changes to the bite and the jaw.


Link ===> https://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?s ... mID=323295

From the link: “Mandibular advancement devices can help treat obstructive sleep apnea, but they must be worn nightly for life and are thought to cause long-term dental and skeletal side effects that have not been well defined. ”

I tried a couple of these prior to getting real help. I couldn't even get through the "wear it for an hour every night before going to bed" part with either. For me, the jaw pain was nearly immediate. And made me drool so much I probably would have drowned in my sleep.