The human oral airway is subjected to positive pressure on exhalation and
negative pressure on inhalation but is unsupported by bony or cartilaginous
structures. During sleep apnea this flexible soft tissue tube can get sucked
in and collapse during inspiration, possibly causing death, or if untreated
cause chronic damage to most organs. Well-designed, well-fitted oral
appliances are effective at stenting the oral airway open during sleep and
preventing complete collapse. Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a method of
channeling the central nervous system and guiding dental clinicians to
ascertain the structural alignment for maximal airway dilation. This article
relates the complex design requirements of oral sleep appliances, the
neurology and physiology on which MMT is based and the scientific basis for
an appropriate method of adjustment.
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