Dental Appliances and Surgery

Flat-plane splints or appliances that bring the jaw forward and down are described as unlikely to create meaningful long-term airway or facial dimension changes. Maxillomandibular advancement surgery is described as more aggressive and research-supported for improving sleep apnea. Claims about many appliance choices are limited by the source's acknowledged lack of detailed expertise and evidence. ALF appliances are described as potentially supporting medial-lateral expansion but not anterior facial expansion. Appliances or surgeries that alter facial structure are considered more relevant to airway-oriented goals.