Morning Repositioner / A.M. Aligner
Sleeping with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) to treat obstructive sleep apnea is an effective and easy solution. However, about fifty percent of patients will have muscle and jaw soreness in the morning. To help return your lower jaw to its original position, it is recommended that you wear a morning repositioner. The Morning Repositioner: a simple dental appliance that fits on your lower teeth. You simply clench your teeth together inside the morning repositioner to recalibrate the normal position of the teeth and jaw.
The Morning Repositioner helps in minimizing the possibility of forward jaw movement. The Morning Repositioner is worn for only ten to twenty minutes after waking and can conveniently be done while showering or doing other routine tasks. To attain the full benefits of the Morning Repositioner, clench with moderate pressure into the device and hold for as long as is comfortable. The easy clenching will aid in lessening the soreness form overnight MAD usage.
The Morning Repositioner is a simple appliance. It is best to use the appliance while starting your normal morning routine, such as taking a shower or making breakfast. (you must not eat or drink in the repositioner) It is strongly recommended that you perform these clenching exercises each and every morning upon removal of your mandibular advancement device. It is important not to chew or grind on the appliance as this will harm the material and not achieve the desired effect. You simply clench with moderate pressure into the appliance.
- Upon removal of your mandibular advancement device place the Morning Repositioner onto your lower teeth.
- Place the tip of your tongue as far back on the roof of your mouth as you can. While the tongue is in this position, close down onto the Morning Repositioner.
- Keeping your mouth firmly closed in this position
- You can now relax your tongue.
- Clench as firmly as you can and hold this clench until it becomes uncomfortable to do so. It is expected that you will feel some discomfort in the musculature as this is normal.
- When you can no longer stand the discomfort, release the pressure slightly while trying to slide your lower jaw further back. Once again, clench as hard and as long as you can.
- After performing a couple of clenching exercises, it is recommended that you open your mouth as wide as you can and wiggle your lower jaw from side to side to help relax the musculature.
Repeat steps 5 through 7 time permitting. Preferably these clenching exercises should be performed for at least ten to twenty minutes, every morning.