ABDSM FINAL EXAM TEST 2025/2026 LATEST
UPDATE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Reviewing your patient's diagnostic polysomnogram, you note more than a 50% epoch
consists of alpha waves. According to the current PSG scoring guidelines, the patient is
in which stage of sleep?
A. Stage I NREM
B. Stage II NREM
C. Stage III NREM
D. Stage REM - ANS-A. Stage I NREM
A patient presents for an evaluation to determine their candidacy for an oral appliance
to treat their mild OSA. During your examination, you note the presence of TMD. This
might include the following:
A. Pain in the TMJ
B. Pain in the muscles of mastication
C. Anomalies in mandibular movement
D. All of the above - ANS-D. All of the above
The qualified dentist designation (QDD) came about in response to the 2015 practice
guidelines paper recommending that physiciANS refer patients to dentists "qualified" to
treat sleep related breathing disorders. This was based upon recognition of which of the
following?
A. Older dentists have more experience than younger dentists
B. All dentists have the skills they need to deliver knowledgeable care
C. Oral appliance efficacy data collected in studies is obtained by dentist with extensive
clinical experience
D. Training in dental schools on oral appliance therapy has become common place -
ANS-C. Oral appliance efficacy data collected in studies is obtained by dentist with
extensive clinical experience
The 2015 Practice Guidelines created through cooperative effort of the AASM and
AADSM suggest a physician should seek collaboration with a qualified dentist,
described as someone who has at least:
,A. Board certification
B. Facility accreditation
C. Completion of a 1 yr residency in dental sleep medicine
D. Additional training or experience in dental sleep medicine - ANS-D. Additional
training or experience in dental sleep medicine
An understanding of loop gain is important to the clinical practice of dental sleep
medicine because:
A. It excludes the possibility of cheyne stokes breathing in patients with severe OSA
B. It is the basis of the Mallampati classification system
C. It defines the number of sequential obstructive apneas in an epoch
D. It contributes to the multifactorial nature of sleep related breathing disorders - ANS-
D. It contributes to the multifactorial nature of sleep related breathing disorders
With regards to biomechanical properties of the upper airway, which statement is true?
A. Sleep apnea patients paralyzed during general anesthesia (neural drive removed)
demonstrated airway compliance similar to healthy subjects
B. Sleep apnea patients had more negative closing pressures
C. Sleep apnea patients demonstrate a more positive Pcrit
D. There is no correlation between collapsibility when awake and collapsibility when
asleep - ANS-C. Sleep apnea patients demonstrate a more positive Pcrit
Tagged MRI recently showed 3 patterns of tissue formation during mandibular
advancement. Which of these was NOT observed?
A. The whole tongue moved forward "en bloc"
B. Only the superior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward
C. The posterior tongue did not move, but the whole tongue elongated
D. Only the inferior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward - ANS-B. Only the
superior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward
In Van Heasendonck's 2015 systematic review of oral appliance health benefits, mean
disease alleviation was calculated using the following:
A. An embedded microsensor
B. A highly compliant patient population
C. Patient's diaries of hours of nightly device use
D. Patient's attestations to hours of nightly device use - ANS-A. An embedded
microsensor
Caffeine promotes wakefulness by suppressing or blocking:
A. Thyroid stimulating hormone
,B. Growth hormone
C. Orexin
D. Adenosine - ANS-D. Adenosine
A study design where one or more population samples are followed prospectively to
determine which participant's exposure characteristics (risk factors) are associated with
a disease or outcome is called a:
A. Randomized control trial
B. Non-randomized control trial
C. Cohort study
D. Case control study - ANS-C. Cohort study
In an experiment where participants are randomly assigned, one group receives the
drug or procedure, a placebo group's treatment is disguised to resemble the drug or
procedure being investigated and a control group receives nothing. Members of each
group are prevented from knowing whether they are receiving active therapy. This
would be called a:
A. Randomized control trial
B. Cohort study
C. Randomized case report
D. Blinded triple trial - ANS-A. Randomized control trial
The masseter muscle originates at:
A. The temporal fossa
B. The zygomatic arch
C. The mylohyoid ridge
D. The coronoid process - ANS-B. The zygomatic arch
In Sheats et. al., a morning occlusal guide is a common side effect management
modality. Which of the following is CORRECT?
A. A MOG encompasses many custom made appliances and pre-fabricated devices
used in an effort to reposition the mandible into its habitual pre-treatment position
B. A MOG has a very specific design as established by the AADSM consensus
committee on side effects
C. A morning occlusal guide was shown to stretch the lateral pterygoid muscle to full
functional length with EMG studies
D. Use of an MOG assures the patient that there will be no bite changes as a result of
use of an oral appliance - ANS-A. A MOG encompasses many custom made appliances
and pre-fabricated devices used in an effort to reposition the mandible into its habitual
pre-treatment position
All of the following exacerbate sleep disordered breathing, EXCEPT:
, A. Use of stimulants within 1 hr of bedtime
B. Consumption of a heavy meal within 1 hr of bedtime
C. Use of melatonin within 1 hr of sleep onset
D. Use of alcohol, especially as a meANS to induce sleep - ANS-C. Use of melatonin
within 1 hr of sleep onset
A patient presents to consult with you regarding oral appliance therapy for their
moderate OSA. They report intermittent "jaw pain" for the past 6 weeks. You should
explain that:
A. It is best to postpone treatment until the pain has resolved
B. An oral appliance is contraindicated for a patient that has active TMD
C. A comprehensive oral-facial evaluation is necessary to ID the source of their jaw pain
before considering or proceeding with oral appliance therapy
D. An oral appliance will improve their jaw pain if the source of the pain is muscular, and
not originating from the TMJ - ANS-C. A comprehensive oral-facial evaluation is
necessary to ID the source of their jaw pain before considering or proceeding with oral
appliance therapy
The most recent research points to the primary etiology of sleep bruxism as:
A. Nicotine, ethanol, recreational drug or caffeine use
B. Peripheral triggers such as occlusal discrepancies
C. Central factors such as stress and psychosocial influences
D. The result of a combination of environmental, biological, and psycho-social
influences - ANS-D. The result of a combination of environmental, biological, and
psycho-social influences
According to Caples, et al, risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events is
significantly increased in patients with:
A. Mild OSA
B. Severe OSA
C. Severe OSA on CPAP therapy
D. Both A and B - ANS-B. Severe OSA
In sleep, heart rate... - ANS-Slows 10-15 BPM
In sleep, breathing... - ANS-slows
In sleep, muscles - ANS-relax
In sleep, BP - ANS-Decreases (morning dip)
UPDATE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Reviewing your patient's diagnostic polysomnogram, you note more than a 50% epoch
consists of alpha waves. According to the current PSG scoring guidelines, the patient is
in which stage of sleep?
A. Stage I NREM
B. Stage II NREM
C. Stage III NREM
D. Stage REM - ANS-A. Stage I NREM
A patient presents for an evaluation to determine their candidacy for an oral appliance
to treat their mild OSA. During your examination, you note the presence of TMD. This
might include the following:
A. Pain in the TMJ
B. Pain in the muscles of mastication
C. Anomalies in mandibular movement
D. All of the above - ANS-D. All of the above
The qualified dentist designation (QDD) came about in response to the 2015 practice
guidelines paper recommending that physiciANS refer patients to dentists "qualified" to
treat sleep related breathing disorders. This was based upon recognition of which of the
following?
A. Older dentists have more experience than younger dentists
B. All dentists have the skills they need to deliver knowledgeable care
C. Oral appliance efficacy data collected in studies is obtained by dentist with extensive
clinical experience
D. Training in dental schools on oral appliance therapy has become common place -
ANS-C. Oral appliance efficacy data collected in studies is obtained by dentist with
extensive clinical experience
The 2015 Practice Guidelines created through cooperative effort of the AASM and
AADSM suggest a physician should seek collaboration with a qualified dentist,
described as someone who has at least:
,A. Board certification
B. Facility accreditation
C. Completion of a 1 yr residency in dental sleep medicine
D. Additional training or experience in dental sleep medicine - ANS-D. Additional
training or experience in dental sleep medicine
An understanding of loop gain is important to the clinical practice of dental sleep
medicine because:
A. It excludes the possibility of cheyne stokes breathing in patients with severe OSA
B. It is the basis of the Mallampati classification system
C. It defines the number of sequential obstructive apneas in an epoch
D. It contributes to the multifactorial nature of sleep related breathing disorders - ANS-
D. It contributes to the multifactorial nature of sleep related breathing disorders
With regards to biomechanical properties of the upper airway, which statement is true?
A. Sleep apnea patients paralyzed during general anesthesia (neural drive removed)
demonstrated airway compliance similar to healthy subjects
B. Sleep apnea patients had more negative closing pressures
C. Sleep apnea patients demonstrate a more positive Pcrit
D. There is no correlation between collapsibility when awake and collapsibility when
asleep - ANS-C. Sleep apnea patients demonstrate a more positive Pcrit
Tagged MRI recently showed 3 patterns of tissue formation during mandibular
advancement. Which of these was NOT observed?
A. The whole tongue moved forward "en bloc"
B. Only the superior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward
C. The posterior tongue did not move, but the whole tongue elongated
D. Only the inferior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward - ANS-B. Only the
superior posterior portion of the tongue moved forward
In Van Heasendonck's 2015 systematic review of oral appliance health benefits, mean
disease alleviation was calculated using the following:
A. An embedded microsensor
B. A highly compliant patient population
C. Patient's diaries of hours of nightly device use
D. Patient's attestations to hours of nightly device use - ANS-A. An embedded
microsensor
Caffeine promotes wakefulness by suppressing or blocking:
A. Thyroid stimulating hormone
,B. Growth hormone
C. Orexin
D. Adenosine - ANS-D. Adenosine
A study design where one or more population samples are followed prospectively to
determine which participant's exposure characteristics (risk factors) are associated with
a disease or outcome is called a:
A. Randomized control trial
B. Non-randomized control trial
C. Cohort study
D. Case control study - ANS-C. Cohort study
In an experiment where participants are randomly assigned, one group receives the
drug or procedure, a placebo group's treatment is disguised to resemble the drug or
procedure being investigated and a control group receives nothing. Members of each
group are prevented from knowing whether they are receiving active therapy. This
would be called a:
A. Randomized control trial
B. Cohort study
C. Randomized case report
D. Blinded triple trial - ANS-A. Randomized control trial
The masseter muscle originates at:
A. The temporal fossa
B. The zygomatic arch
C. The mylohyoid ridge
D. The coronoid process - ANS-B. The zygomatic arch
In Sheats et. al., a morning occlusal guide is a common side effect management
modality. Which of the following is CORRECT?
A. A MOG encompasses many custom made appliances and pre-fabricated devices
used in an effort to reposition the mandible into its habitual pre-treatment position
B. A MOG has a very specific design as established by the AADSM consensus
committee on side effects
C. A morning occlusal guide was shown to stretch the lateral pterygoid muscle to full
functional length with EMG studies
D. Use of an MOG assures the patient that there will be no bite changes as a result of
use of an oral appliance - ANS-A. A MOG encompasses many custom made appliances
and pre-fabricated devices used in an effort to reposition the mandible into its habitual
pre-treatment position
All of the following exacerbate sleep disordered breathing, EXCEPT:
, A. Use of stimulants within 1 hr of bedtime
B. Consumption of a heavy meal within 1 hr of bedtime
C. Use of melatonin within 1 hr of sleep onset
D. Use of alcohol, especially as a meANS to induce sleep - ANS-C. Use of melatonin
within 1 hr of sleep onset
A patient presents to consult with you regarding oral appliance therapy for their
moderate OSA. They report intermittent "jaw pain" for the past 6 weeks. You should
explain that:
A. It is best to postpone treatment until the pain has resolved
B. An oral appliance is contraindicated for a patient that has active TMD
C. A comprehensive oral-facial evaluation is necessary to ID the source of their jaw pain
before considering or proceeding with oral appliance therapy
D. An oral appliance will improve their jaw pain if the source of the pain is muscular, and
not originating from the TMJ - ANS-C. A comprehensive oral-facial evaluation is
necessary to ID the source of their jaw pain before considering or proceeding with oral
appliance therapy
The most recent research points to the primary etiology of sleep bruxism as:
A. Nicotine, ethanol, recreational drug or caffeine use
B. Peripheral triggers such as occlusal discrepancies
C. Central factors such as stress and psychosocial influences
D. The result of a combination of environmental, biological, and psycho-social
influences - ANS-D. The result of a combination of environmental, biological, and
psycho-social influences
According to Caples, et al, risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events is
significantly increased in patients with:
A. Mild OSA
B. Severe OSA
C. Severe OSA on CPAP therapy
D. Both A and B - ANS-B. Severe OSA
In sleep, heart rate... - ANS-Slows 10-15 BPM
In sleep, breathing... - ANS-slows
In sleep, muscles - ANS-relax
In sleep, BP - ANS-Decreases (morning dip)
