MARK MURPHY, DDS
PREVENTING SIDE EFFECTS
UNDESIRABLE JAW PAIN
Preventing side effects is
preferable to treating them.
Joint pain can be caused by
excessive OAT device titration,
asymmetrical advancement
or manufacturing variances.
Modern precision design
and fabrication techniques
for OAT devices can mitigate
variances, create more
predictable experiences, and
improves outcomes.
Appropriate Titration
Many dorsal style OAT devices
have a 70 o angled post. The
chart below demonstrates
that protrusion is lost with a
70 o angled post design as the
vertical opening increases.
Advancing the mandible
further or using elastics are
common, compensating,
techniques. Alternatively,
the 90 o post design option of
ProSomnus devices maintains
the protrusive mandibular
position even when the jaw
opens. Many doctors report
treating patients with less
protrusion when using the 90 o
post.
Precision Manufacturing
Variance in size, placement
and angulation of the
advancement mechanism
(screw, rod, Herbst or post)
is inherent in a traditional
OAT device fabrication.
To compensate, leading
doctors report having to
titrate one side of the OAT
device differently. The photos
below show observed and
measurable inaccuracies
in post size that are
indicative of the traditional
manufacturing method.
Given that screw titration
devices are often prescribed
for adjustments of less than
one mm, these variances
are counterproductive. The
ProSomnus CA device utilizes
a precision manufacturing
method, from device design to
assembly, that mitigates these
variances to create more
predictable performance.
1.25mm difference between right and left advancement
post of a traditionally fabricated device.