A novel device for passive restraint of the tongue as an adjunct to mandibular advancement therapy in incomplete responders

Abstract

Tongue restraint may provide additional benefit in mandibular advancement splint (MAS) therapy. However, previous methods of tongue restraint are based on applying active force, resulting in a substantial degree of discomfort for most users. This report describes a novel method called Tongue Tamer (TT), which uses the natural passive ‘flow’ of the tongue to fill the space available to it when relaxed. The TT has been added to the lower plate of patients with an incomplete response to MAS therapy. In a series of 17 cases, the addition of TT has resulted in an additional reduction of -41.8 ± 67.3% (mean ± standard deviation) in apnea-hypopnea Index (AHI) compared to MAS therapy alone and 30% of patients were converted to complete responders (AHI<5 events/h). This novel method of passive restraint of the tongue may be a useful adjunct to MAS therapy.