Digital workflow to fabricate a 3D-printed monobloc mandibular advancement appliance for primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
Publicado en línea: 07 jul 2025
Páginas: 256 - 267
Recibido: 01 feb 2025
Aceptado: 01 may 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoj-2025-0019
Palabras clave
© 2025 May Nak Lau et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Objective
Mandibular advancement appliances (MAAs) are used to treat primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by advancing the mandible to maintain upper airway patency during sleep. The conventional fabrication of custom-made MAAs requires skilled technicians and specialised laboratories, resulting in longer processing times and higher outsourcing costs. Advancements in 3D-printing technology offer an efficient in-office alternative. The present paper aims to demonstrate the potential of digital technology in fabricating in-office, 3D-printed, non-adjustable monobloc MAAs.
Methods
The fabrication and refinement processes of non-adjustable monobloc MAAs were carried out on three patients of whom two presented with primary snoring and one with mild OSA. The appliances were designed using Appliance Designer™ software (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) and 3D-printed with a stereolithography printer (Uniz 3D printer, San Diego, US) using Ortho Flex resin (NextDent, The Netherlands).
Results
One MAA was made for each patient and incorporated specific refinement strategies to optimise fit and retention. Improvements in snoring were noted in all patients. The Apnoea-Hypopnoea index (AHI) was normalised from 11.2 to 4.6 for the patient with mild OSA.
Conclusion
3D-printed MAAs were successfully employed to manage patients presenting with primary snoring and mild OSA. The digital workflow for fabricating 3D-printed MAAs, including refinement strategies to enhance fit and retention was presented, thereby laying the groundwork for future investigations and the development of in-office 3D-printed MAAs.