Industry Leader in Oral Appliance Therapy
The TAP is a durable, patient-friendly sleep care solution. It’s also incredibly effective, with a 90% success rate. customTAP devices are recognized as the market leader in sleep care and are currently prescribed by over 15,000+ clinicians worldwide to treat nighttime snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Patented Technology
Keith Thornton, DDS holds over 70 patents for his technology, not offered by any of our competitors.
Backed by Research
With 50+ studies, custom TAP appliances are the most researched mandibular advancement devices in the industry with best patient outcomes. In 2015, AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) and AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine) guidelines cited TAP as leading among oral appliances using both oral appliance and CPAP criteria.
Midline Adjustment for the Best Outcomes
With a single point of central adjustment, TAP prevents uneven bilateral adjustment that may create an irregular bite and jaw discomfort. Simply, pulling the jaw forward is easier than pushing the jaw forward. With the fixed mechanical hinge and inseparable pivot point, all custom TAP devices meet Medicare requirements to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The unique design of TAP empowers patients to fine-tune treatment at home, as well as work with the clinician to achieve the best results.
A recent systematic review of 20 randomized controlled trials and six cohort studies comparing different mandibular advancement device (MAD) designs in OSA treatment showed favorable outcomes of midline traction appliances.
TAP Promotes Nasal Breathing
With its patented Mouth Shield, TAP is the only oral appliance to promote nasal breathing in the industry. The silicone Mouth Shield is available for all custom TAP devices for nasal enhancement. It also works to prevent excess saliva and dry mouth, and it provides more comfort and better treatment outcomes for the patient.
Key Features
- Incorporates the best features of myTAP with a customized fit and new Vertex Technology
- Vertex Technology “opens the box” with less protrusion
- Mouth Shield standard accessory to promote quality nasal breathing
- More tongue space due to less hardware in the mouth
- No bite registration needed
- Fewer returns to lab for hardware customizations and fit issues
- 3 year warranty
Protrusion
- 14mm range of self-titratable adjustment
- No need to switch out hooks
Hardware
No metal parts. Interchangeable threaded adjuster. 30% shorter post (vs myTAP) for increased comfort.
Liner
New ThermAcryl liner, irradiated makes it easier to adjust chairside. Thinner trays.
Key Features
- Offers greater tongue space with no obstructions
- Option to connect TAP PAP for hybrid therapy (severe patients)
- Custom Mouth Shield accessory available to promote nasal breathing
- Bite registration preferred
Protrusion
- 15 mm range of protrusion
- 3 hook sizes for greater range of advancement
- Each case comes with all three hooks
- Each hook allows for an additional 5 mm range of adjustment
- Typically, the medium hook is used in the appliance and the long and short hooks are supplied for later use
- A clinician can easily change hooks in the practice, in about 5 minutes or less
- Using the supplied key, you can advance the hook 5mm. A half turn, counter-clockwise facing the patient, will advance 0.25 mm.
Hardware
Chromium-cobalt/stainless steel parts
Liner
Two custom-formed soft liner options for superior retention: AccuTherm or Triple Laminate (TL)
Key Features
- An adjustment key enables the patient or clinician to adjust the lower jaw while wearing the device until a comfortable and effective position is achieved
- Custom Mouth Shield accessory available to promote nasal breathing
- Bite registration required
Protrusion
- Single hook allows for 7mm of advancement
Hardware
Stainless steel parts
Liner
Two custom-formed soft liner options for superior retention: AccuTherm or Triple Laminate (TL)
A Deeper Look At Liners
New ThermAcryl
Only available with flexTAP.
Irradiated thermoplastic makes it easier to work with:
- For a clinician when adjusting the trays
- For the lab when fabricating the appliance
More comfortable for the patient due to thinner trays and irradiation features.
Use warm water to achieve a perfect fit chairside.
AccuTherm
Irradiated thermoplastic liner with a hard outer shell.
Use warm water to achieve a perfect fit chairside.
Triple Laminate (TL)
Hard outer shell with a soft inner liner.
Improve Treatment Outcomes with Mouth Shield
Due to airflow through the mouth, some patients experience dry mouth leading to mild discomfort when using an oral appliance. Our patented silicone Mouth Shields have been designed to prevent dry mouth and excess saliva. A major additional benefit is the promotion of nasal breathing. Recent research shows that using an oral appliance with a Mouth Shield can improve cognition in those with dementia. Specifically, the trial found that it improved cognition in 71% of those with mild cognitive impairment and half of those with Alzheimer’s disease, and decreased snoring in all study groups.
Mouth Shield comes as a standard accessory for flexTAP™, and is also available for dreamTAP™ and TAP™ 3 for an additional charge.
Prevent Temporary Morning Bite Change with AM Aligner™
One of the most mentioned side effects of mandibular advancement is morning malocclusion, or temporary morning bite change. The AADSM suggests that a morning repositioner like an AM Aligner should be considered first-line treatment for this common side effect.
Included with every case, the AM Aligner™ is a unique thermoplastic material that takes a registration of the patient’s normal bite before treatment. Fitting the AM Aligner takes less than 10 minutes. It is to be used for 5-10 minutes each morning after use of an oral appliance to exercise the jaw back to its usual position.
