Patient Guide for Your Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)

Q: Do I really have to do the morning routine every day?

Yes, absolutely. The morning exercises and the AM Aligner are the most important things you can do to keep your bite feeling normal and comfortable for the long term. This is a critical part of the daily therapy.

Q: When will my snoring and sleep get better?

Many people feel a difference in the first few nights. The full benefit, however, comes after we have slowly adjusted the device to the ideal position over several weeks and your sleep doctor has confirmed the results.

Q: Will this permanently mess up my bite?

The goal of the morning routine is to prevent major bite changes. However, small, lasting changes in how your front teeth meet are an expected side effect of successful treatment. We will monitor your bite very closely.

Q: What if it's too uncomfortable to wear all night?

If you’re having trouble, try wearing the device for an hour or two in the evening while you read or watch TV. This helps your mouth get used to it. If you still can’t wear it through the night, please call us, as a small adjustment can often make a big difference.

Q: Do I still need my sleep doctor?

Yes. We work as a team with your sleep doctor. After your device is fully adjusted, your doctor will need to do a follow-up sleep study to make sure the device is effectively treating your sleep apnea.

Appliance & Preventive Care

How to Use / Wear

Your new device is a custom-fit medical appliance. Following a daily routine is the key to successfully treating your sleep apnea.

Nightly Routine

Be Consistent: For the best results, you must wear your device every night, all night.
How to Insert: Always wet the device with water first. Place the top piece on your upper teeth, then gently slide your lower jaw forward to fit it into the bottom piece.
Adjustments: We will start you at a gentle forward position. Over time, we will guide you on how to make very small adjustments to find the most effective and comfortable setting. Please do not make adjustments on your own.

Morning Routine (CRITICAL)

Your jaw has been held forward all night. This morning routine is essential to guide it back to its natural resting position.

Immediately After Waking: Take the device out and clean it. Then, perform your jaw exercises right away.
Wait 30 Minutes: Give your jaw time to relax after the exercises.
Use Your AM Aligner: After waiting 30 minutes, bite gently into your clear AM Aligner (Morning Occlusal Guide) for 15-20 minutes. This helps ensure your bite feels normal and comfortable for the rest of the day.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily cleaning is required to keep both your main device and your AM Aligner clean and fresh.

Morning Routine: Every morning, clean both appliances. Gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of mild liquid dish soap (like Dawn). Rinse them very well with cool water afterward.
Avoid Toothpaste: Do not use any kind of toothpaste. It can be scratchy and create tiny grooves where bacteria can hide.
Also Avoid: Do not use hot water, denture tablets, or mouthwash with alcohol, as these can damage the appliance material.
Storage: After cleaning, let the devices air dry and store them in their protective cases.

What To Expect

It’s normal to need some time to get used to your new device. Most of these feelings are temporary.

Common Temporary Feelings:

Jaw or Muscle Soreness: Your jaw muscles are learning a new position, so they might feel a little tired or tender at first, just like sore muscles after exercise.
Extra Drool or Dry Mouth: This is very common and will go away as your mouth gets used to the device.

Potential Long-Term Bite Changes:

Using this device for a long time can cause small, lasting changes in how your teeth fit together. This is an expected part of the treatment.

You might notice that your top front teeth don’t overlap your bottom front teeth as much as they used to.
We will watch these changes very closely at your check-up appointments to make sure your bite stays healthy and comfortable.