Researchers in the field of dental sleep medicine will gather in Baltimore, Md, from June 1-3 to present their findings at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) 2018 Annual Meeting.“This year’s research is some of the most exciting I have seen in the 25 years that I’ve been practicing dental sleep medicine,” says Harold A. Smith, DDS, president of the AADSM, in a release. “We are vastly increasing our understanding of the benefits of oral appliance therapy, and we are finding new ways to help patients thrive in the face of obstructive sleep apnea.”

This year’s highlighted research abstracts include findings showing the effectiveness of new treatments for older patients and the usefulness of new diagnostic tools for pediatric patients. Other studies are pioneering the measurement of the impact of oral appliance therapy on fatigue and cardiovascular health.

Specific research findings from the AADSM 2018 Annual Meeting, as well as clinical research award winners, include:

Scoring of Fatigue and Sleepiness in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated With A Titratable Custom-Made Mandibular Advancement Device. Checklist of Individual Strength (CIS) found to offer additional information about treatment effectiveness. A study of 41 patients compared their responses on two different diagnostic questionnaires, the CIS and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Patients completed both questionnaires at the beginning of their treatment with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) and again after three months of treatment. Results of the CIS and ESS were compared, and the CIS
questionnaire was found to offer additional information about patients’ responses to treatment. Lead author: Marc Braem, DDS, PhD.

Evaluation of The Overall Clinical Effectiveness and Cardiovascular Effects of a Mandibular Advancement Device in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Preliminary Results. Sleep apnea treatments shown to improve cardiovascular health. A study reported on 31 patients who underwent six months of treatment with a MAD. Those who experienced a reduction in apnea–hypopnea index that was equal to or more than 50% compared to baseline showed a statistically significant improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction and a trend towards improvement in positive airway pressure. Lead author: Marike Dieltjens, PhD.

Additionally, other abstracts will be honored with research awards during the meeting, including:

Clinical Research Awards:

  • Ghizlane Aarab, DS, PhD. for “The Effects of Mandibular Advancement Appliance Therapy on Jaw Closing Muscle Activity During Sleep in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients”
  • Arvind Tripathi, MDS, for “A Novel Use of Complete Denture Prosthesis as Mandibular Advancement Device in The Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Edentulous Subjects”

Student Research Awards:

  • Chloé Kastoer, MD for “Prospective Evaluation of The Effect of Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery on Upper Airway Collapse Patterns During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy”
  • Ahmed Masoud, BDS, MS for “Prospective Evaluation of The Effect of Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery on Upper Airway Collapse Patterns During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy”