ABDSM Final Exam-Dental Sleep Medicine Exam
Newest Exam 2025 / ABDSM Final Exam Dental Sleep
Medicine Preparation/ABDSM Final Exam Dental
Sleep Medicine Practice Exam With Complete
Questions And Correct Answers| Brand New Version
1. The primary role of oral appliance therapy (OAT) in sleep medicine is
to:
A. Cure obstructive sleep apnea
B. Replace CPAP in all patients
C. Manage snoring and mild–moderate OSA
D. Treat central sleep apnea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Oral appliance therapy is indicated primarily for primary snoring and mild
to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It may also be used in
severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, but it does not cure OSA
nor treat central sleep apnea.
2. The most common mechanism by which mandibular advancement
devices improve OSA is:
A. Increasing lung volume
B. Stimulating respiratory drive
,C. Advancing the mandible to enlarge the airway
D. Reducing nasal resistance only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Mandibular advancement devices work by protruding the mandible,
which pulls the tongue and soft tissues forward, increasing the upper
airway space and reducing collapse during sleep.
3. Which sleep study measurement is most critical for diagnosing OSA?
A. Oxygen saturation baseline
B. Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
C. Sleep latency
D. REM duration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) quantifies the number of apneas and
hypopneas per hour of sleep and is the primary diagnostic criterion for
OSA severity.
4. Mild obstructive sleep apnea is defined as an AHI of:
A. 1–4 events/hour
B. 5–14 events/hour
C. 15–29 events/hour
D. ≥30 events/hour
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
OSA severity is classified as:
• Mild: 5–14
• Moderate: 15–29
• Severe: ≥30 events/hour
5. Which patient is the BEST candidate for oral appliance therapy?
A. Severe OSA with heart failure
B. Mild OSA with good dentition
C. Central sleep apnea patient
D. Edentulous patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Patients with mild to moderate OSA, adequate dentition, and no major
TMJ issues are ideal candidates. Central sleep apnea and edentulism are
contraindications.
6. A common side effect of oral appliance therapy is:
A. Permanent airway damage
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Transient jaw discomfort
D. Reduced oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Jaw discomfort, tooth soreness, and excess salivation are common
early side effects and usually resolve with adjustment and adaptation.
7. Which dental condition is a contraindication to OAT?
A. Class II malocclusion
B. Active periodontal disease
C. Mild bruxism
D. Large overjet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Active periodontal disease compromises tooth support, making
appliance retention unsafe. Other conditions may be manageable with
careful planning.
8. The gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea is:
A. Home sleep test (HST)
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Polysomnography (PSG)
D. Questionnaires
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In-lab polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard because it
measures brain activity, airflow, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, and
sleep stages.
Newest Exam 2025 / ABDSM Final Exam Dental Sleep
Medicine Preparation/ABDSM Final Exam Dental
Sleep Medicine Practice Exam With Complete
Questions And Correct Answers| Brand New Version
1. The primary role of oral appliance therapy (OAT) in sleep medicine is
to:
A. Cure obstructive sleep apnea
B. Replace CPAP in all patients
C. Manage snoring and mild–moderate OSA
D. Treat central sleep apnea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Oral appliance therapy is indicated primarily for primary snoring and mild
to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It may also be used in
severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, but it does not cure OSA
nor treat central sleep apnea.
2. The most common mechanism by which mandibular advancement
devices improve OSA is:
A. Increasing lung volume
B. Stimulating respiratory drive
,C. Advancing the mandible to enlarge the airway
D. Reducing nasal resistance only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Mandibular advancement devices work by protruding the mandible,
which pulls the tongue and soft tissues forward, increasing the upper
airway space and reducing collapse during sleep.
3. Which sleep study measurement is most critical for diagnosing OSA?
A. Oxygen saturation baseline
B. Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
C. Sleep latency
D. REM duration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) quantifies the number of apneas and
hypopneas per hour of sleep and is the primary diagnostic criterion for
OSA severity.
4. Mild obstructive sleep apnea is defined as an AHI of:
A. 1–4 events/hour
B. 5–14 events/hour
C. 15–29 events/hour
D. ≥30 events/hour
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
OSA severity is classified as:
• Mild: 5–14
• Moderate: 15–29
• Severe: ≥30 events/hour
5. Which patient is the BEST candidate for oral appliance therapy?
A. Severe OSA with heart failure
B. Mild OSA with good dentition
C. Central sleep apnea patient
D. Edentulous patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Patients with mild to moderate OSA, adequate dentition, and no major
TMJ issues are ideal candidates. Central sleep apnea and edentulism are
contraindications.
6. A common side effect of oral appliance therapy is:
A. Permanent airway damage
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Transient jaw discomfort
D. Reduced oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Jaw discomfort, tooth soreness, and excess salivation are common
early side effects and usually resolve with adjustment and adaptation.
7. Which dental condition is a contraindication to OAT?
A. Class II malocclusion
B. Active periodontal disease
C. Mild bruxism
D. Large overjet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Active periodontal disease compromises tooth support, making
appliance retention unsafe. Other conditions may be manageable with
careful planning.
8. The gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea is:
A. Home sleep test (HST)
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Polysomnography (PSG)
D. Questionnaires
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
In-lab polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard because it
measures brain activity, airflow, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, and
sleep stages.
