How Does a Mandibular Advancement Splint Work?
A simple, comfortable way to help keep your airway open while you sleep
How Does MAS Work?
A mandibular advancement splint, often called a MAS, is a custom-made oral appliance worn while you sleep.
It looks a little like a mouthguard, but it works differently. Instead of protecting your teeth, it gently holds your lower jaw in a slightly forward position. This helps move the tongue and soft tissues away from the back of the throat, creating more space for air to flow.
For suitable patients, this can help reduce snoring and support more stable breathing during sleep.
At Dental Sleep Professionals, we provide custom mandibular advancement splints for people with snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, with treatment guided by your symptoms, sleep study results where required, and individual suitability.
What Happens When You Snore Or Have Sleep Apnoea?
When you fall asleep, the muscles around your throat naturally relax.
For some people, this relaxation causes the airway to narrow. As air tries to move through the smaller space, the soft tissues can vibrate. That vibration is what we hear as snoring.
In obstructive sleep apnoea, the airway can become partly or fully blocked during sleep. This can interrupt breathing, disturb sleep quality, and leave you waking up tired, foggy or unrefreshed.
A MAS is designed to help reduce this airway narrowing by supporting the jaw in a better position overnight.
What Our Patients Say
How A Mandibular Advancement Splint Helps
A mandibular advancement splint works by gently positioning your lower jaw forward while you sleep.
This forward position can help:
- Keep the airway more open
- Reduce soft tissue vibration linked to snoring
- Support better airflow during sleep
- Reduce airway collapse in suitable obstructive sleep apnoea patients
- Make breathing feel steadier and less interrupted overnight
The device does not force air into your airway like CPAP. Instead, it helps create more physical space in the airway by changing the position of the jaw, tongue and surrounding soft tissues.
That is why MAS therapy is often considered for people with snoring, mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, or those who struggle to tolerate CPAP.
Who may be suitable for MAS therapy?
MAS therapy may be suitable if you:
- Snore regularly
- Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea
- Have been told to consider an oral appliance
- Struggle to tolerate CPAP
- Want a smaller, quieter and more travel-friendly option
MAS therapy is not the right fit for everyone, and the best next step is a proper assessment with a clinician who understands sleep-related breathing issues and oral appliance therapy.
Dr Joaquichim Ngiam assesses your symptoms, sleep study results, dental health, jaw comfort and treatment goals before recommending whether MAS therapy is appropriate.
Appointments are available at our clinics throughout Australia. You can check out our locations here.
How Our MAS Process Works
Book your consultation
Meet with our team and discuss your symptoms.
Get a diagnosis
If needed, we’ll help you organise a sleep study.
Get fitted
We take digital scans and provide your custom appliance.
Enjoy better sleep
Start sleeping soundly — no machines, no hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
A custom MAS sits over your upper and lower teeth and is worn only while you sleep. It may feel noticeable at first, but because it is made for your mouth, it is designed to feel secure and comfortable once you adjust.
Many people find it easier to use than CPAP because there is no mask, hose, machine, water chamber or power source.
Not always before your first appointment, but a sleep study may be needed if sleep apnoea is suspected or if your diagnosis needs to be confirmed. If you already have sleep study results, bring them to your consultation.
It can look similar, but it works differently. A MAS is designed to hold your lower jaw forward during sleep to help support your airway. A sports mouthguard or basic night guard does not do this.
For some patients, MAS therapy may be an alternative to CPAP, especially if CPAP is difficult to tolerate. This depends on your diagnosis, sleep apnoea severity and clinical suitability.
Many people adjust within a few nights to a few weeks. Some mild jaw or tooth pressure can occur early on, which is why fitting, adjustment and review are important.
Yes. A custom MAS is made for your teeth, bite and jaw position. This generally provides better comfort, fit and control than an over-the-counter device.
The premium Mandibular Advancement Splints supplied by Dental Sleep Professionals are fabricated using high-quality German biomaterials and advanced manufacturing technology. With internal steel reinforcement, they are built to be strong, durable, and resistant to wear — even for those who grind their teeth. All appliances come with a 3-year warranty and typically last between 5 to 7 years.