Mandibular advancement devices for the treatment of OSA in adults: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder characterized by obstruction of the upper pharyngeal airway during sleep. Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are the first treatment of choice in mild and moderate OSAS in patients without severe cardiovascular morbidity, and CPAP is used in severe OSAS. Objective. To analyze the scientific literature to describe mandibular advancement devices for treating OSA in adults. Methodology. The literature review was performed through digital databases such as ResearchGate, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The articles collected were published from 2020 to 2024 in Spanish and English. Results. Twenty-five articles were collected describing mandibular advancement devices for treating OSAS. They were effective in more than 70% of the cases. Conclusion. The studies reviewed in the present investigation demonstrate that MADs are an effective alternative for the treatment of mild to moderate OSAS. For severe OSAS, there is a more effective alternative, such as CPAP. The effectiveness of these devices and CPAP increases when a thorough clinical diagnosis is available.