How Long Does a Mandibular Advancement Device Take to Work?
While mandibular advancement devices are one of the most commonly used tools to treat snoring and certain types of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)‚ you may be wondering how long it will take for them to be effective if you are about to be fitted for one․ The good news is that many people have improvement sooner than they expect․
A mandibular advancement device is a type of mouthpiece that holds your lower jaw forward while you sleep․ This keeps your airway open by pushing your jaw forward‚ preventing the soft tissues in your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway․ Some patients see a difference on the first night wearing the device because it begins to affect the position of the airway․
If you are not one of the people who feel immediate improvement, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t working. The time frame varies from person to person‚ though snoring reduction is usually noticeable within a few days to a few weeks after starting the treatment․ When the appliance is being used to help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea, it may take longer to assess whether it is effective․ Follow-up visits are often used to refine the fit and positioning of the appliance to improve the outcome․
The fit of mandibular advancement devices used for treatment of OSA is customized for the patient’s mouth to make it more comfortable and more effective‚ prolonging the time it can be worn․ The appliance may continue to be adjusted by the dentist in follow-up visits until the optimal jaw position has been reached‚ which opens the airway and is easy to wear․
Another factor is comfort: you may need a few nights to adapt to the appliance. It is normal for people to experience excessive salivation‚ sore gums and jaws‚ and slight tooth sensitivity․ These side effects typically go away as your mouth becomes accustomed to it‚ with your body adjusting more quickly to your device with more consistent daily wear․
The effectiveness of these treatments may depend on the cause of the snoring (the severity of the snoring‚ the shape of the upper airway‚ posture during sleep‚ and certain health conditions)․ For some people‚ symptoms improve relatively quickly‚ while others require a number of weeks of adjustments before feeling relief․
Sleep apnea patients who use the appliance may have to undergo additional testing during a follow-up to determine whether or not the appliance is effective at reducing the breathing interruptions that are the hallmark of sleep apnea․ This objective assessment allows your healthcare team to see if further adjustments are needed․
If you are considering a mandibular advancement device, patience and consistency are key. Although some people notice improvements after the first night, most achieve their best results after several weeks of regular use and professional adjustments. Working closely with your dentist helps ensure that the appliance fits properly, functions effectively, and provides the long-term relief you are seeking from snoring or sleep-related breathing concerns.
If you have more questions about snoring appliances or how they could affect your dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if a snoring appliance is the best treatment plan for you.
Related Article: How Much Do Snoring Appliances Cost?