Definition of an Effective Oral Appliance for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring: A Report of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

In response to the demands of an emerging profession to set standards of care, the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) brought together leaders in the profession to develop the definition of an effective oral appliance for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing based on current research and clinical experience. On February 15-17, 2013, a consensus conference was held in Tampa, Florida. Fifteen leaders in the profession used the modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to craft an empiric definition of an effective oral appliance with emphasis on purpose, physical features and function. A definition was developed and in March 2013 was accepted by the Board of Directors of the AADSM.

The purpose of this report is twofold. First, it presents a systematic review of all available level one and two literature (based on Oxford Centre methodology) to validate the accepted definition of an effective oral appliance. Second, this report details the processes employed and clarifies inclusion and exclusion rationale.

Future research, improved methods, and innovations in biomaterials will continue to advance the profession of dental sleep medicine. This definition provides a foundation and framework to guide both future investigations and current treatment of individuals with sleep disordered breathing.

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