The Occlusal Side Effects of Mandibular Advancement Device Therapy in Adult Sleep Apnea Patients: A Systematic Review

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) remain a popular non-invasive treatment modality for the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the occlusal side effects from long-term therapy may result in poor patient compliance and patient drop-outs. Hence, knowledge of the possible side effects of these devices on occlusion is necessary. This article attempts to systematically review the evidence available in support of the possible long-term effects of mandibular advancement therapy on occlusion in adult sleep apnea patients. A detailed search was conducted for unpublished and published literature and their references in various electronic databases. A grey literature search was also performed. Studies until June 30, 2022, were selected. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, and cohort studies investigating the occlusal side effects of MADs for the treatment of snoring or OSA with a follow-up of at least four years were included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed individually and in duplicate. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane tools for randomized and non-randomized studies. Fourteen studies were selected for the final qualitative analysis. The side effects reported were upper incisor retroclination, lower incisor proclination, decreased overjet and overbite, and change in the total occlusal contact area. The review concludes that long-term MAD therapy has statistically and clinically significant effects on occlusion.