Use of mandibular advancement devices for the treatment of primary snoring with or without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): A systematic review

The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the available scientific evidence on the benefit of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in the treatment of primary snoring (PS). From 905 initially identified articles, 18 were selected. Papers that provided indirect information regarding obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and/or sleep breathing disorders (SBD) were included. Information was obtained on monoblock and duoblock appliances from the selected studies. The devices were most commonly able to achieve 50%–70% of the maximum mandibular protrusion. The frequently used outcome measurements were the apnea-hypopnea index, Epworth sleepiness scale, and oxygen desaturation index, which all yielded positive post-treatment results. The most common side effects were temporomandibular joint pain and excessive salivation, which improved with time. Our findings indicated that the use of MADs, even with varying designs, improved outcomes in all the reported patient populations (PS, OSAS, and SBD). Despite the lack of studies on PS, the available evidence supports the use of MADs for treatment of PS. Snoring should be treated from a preventive and psychosocial perspective to avoid progression to more severe diseases that could have a significant medical and economic impact.