Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are considered a primary treatment option for people with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and for those with severe OSA who are unable or unwilling to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Compared to CPAP, mandibular advancement devices offer advantages such as ease of use, portability, and higher patient compliance. The present study aimed to review the effectiveness of mandibular advancement splint in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. A comprehensive literature review covering the years 2001 to 2023 was conducted using the Medline, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. The search used the keywords “mandibular advancement splint, obstructive sleep apnea, and randomized control studies.” After applying the inclusion criteria, 11 studies were selected, the majority of which supported the use of a mandibular advancement splint as an effective treatment for OSA. The research analyzed provides valuable information regarding the safety and effectiveness of various oral appliances in the management of obstructive sleep apnea and related sleep disorders. While some studies show that MADs improve subjective outcomes, such as perceived sleep quality and snoring reduction, others indicate that CPAP remains superior in significantly reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
