Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are increasingly being used to treat obstructive sleep apnea; however, treatment efficacy varies among patients and the exact treatment mechanism of action remains unclear. Various factors have been associated with treatment response, yet these associations only weakly predict MAD efficacy, emphasizing the need for alternative prediction methods, such as functional imaging, to select potential successful candidates for MAD treatment, preferably in an upfront setting.
This study demonstrates that MAD treatment acts by increasing the total upper airway volume, predominantly due to an increase in the velopharyngeal volume. However, this increase in the total upper airway volume was only significant in responders. Pending future validation, functional imaging might thus be useful for MAD patient selection.
