Diagnosed with severe OSA in January though no symptoms. Tried CPAP at the sleep lab and can't tolerate it.

I was told a TAP dental device might help me - I feel it is better than using nothing. Looks easy enough to use...has anyone had any success with it?

Costly though at $1500.....



Thanks!

Fred

fjddmd wrote:Diagnosed with severe OSA in January though no symptoms. Tried CPAP at the sleep lab and can't tolerate it.

I was told a TAP dental device might help me - I feel it is better than using nothing. Looks easy enough to use...has anyone had any success with it?

Costly though at $1500.....



Thanks!

Fred

Hi Fred -
I've been using CPAP for about a year now but wanted to try something different. I'm currently testing out a TAP device from a local dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. Yes, it's costly but thankfully my insurance covers the device. It takes about a month to get "up to speed" with the device and I"ve only been using the device for about 2 weeks now. Unfortunately my device doesn't fit properly and is slipping off of my top teeth so I'm going in next week to get it checked out. However, so far, I really like the device and am hopeful. I can tell over the 2 weeks I was able to wear it, my sleep improved. But the real test will be my sleep study, once I have that with the device. I did find a site that is very helpful and has a lot of other users that have had success with the TAP device - www. talkaboutsleep.com I found a lot of helpful advice over there. good luck to you. diane

I work for a Dental lab that manufactors them. In January 2007 the new TAPIII will be on the market. In the anterior their is an jackscew that is attachmed to the lower. It allows you to turn it and move the lower jaw into a protructive position. This opens up the airway, and helps prevents the soft tissues from closing it down.
This devise is made under the license of a dentist. WOW, I didn't know they were that costly. They have a fairly successful record. I tried one years ago, but just kept spitting it out and didn't like the sore jaw in the morning ( you had to massage it out).
The divise is handel by Airway Management. But look on my companys web site
www.glidewell-lab.com under products. If you look under the Removables products listing you see TAP and TAP titanium, just click on the link. You'll see a picture and brief discription. We also have Dr and Pt DVD's available as well.

clary wrote:I work for a Dental lab that manufactors them. In January 2007 the new TAPIII will be on the market. In the anterior their is an jackscew that is attachmed to the lower. It allows you to turn it and move the lower jaw into a protructive position. This opens up the airway, and helps prevents the soft tissues from closing it down.
This devise is made under the license of a dentist. WOW, I didn't know they were that costly. They have a fairly successful record. I tried one years ago, but just kept spitting it out and didn't like the sore jaw in the morning ( you had to massage it out).
The divise is handel by Airway Management. But look on my companys web site
www.glidewell-lab.com under products. If you look under the Removables products listing you see TAP and TAP titanium, just click on the link. You'll see a picture and brief discription. We also have Dr and Pt DVD's available as well.

I'm using the TAP right now (and it was handled by Airway Mgt). I like the sounds of the TAPIII. I don't think mine is fitted correctly since mine falls out when I wear it However I'm hoping that will all be resolved next week when I see the dentist again. I think if they have to recast my molds, I'll ask about the TAPIII. Thanks for the heads up....

The fit is critical. Good impressions are a must. The Tap will more than likely have to be remade. Since the fit is an frictional fit at the incisal and occlusial line angles. Even if you try it on and it feels a little over tight stay with that fit.

Fred & Others,

I have been using a TAP-II device now for about two years to control my sleep apnea. I had previously tried bipap for about a year...but could never adjust to it very well. On a visit about a year ago, my local dentist and I were discussing snoring and sleep apnea. He made me aware of the TAP device...but said he had never actually made one for a patient (or himself, for that matter!). I agreed to be his 'ginea pig' and we made the necessary dental impressions and ordered the device.

It turns out that it has worked extremely well for me almost from day 1. My wife says I absolutely do NOT snore when wearing it, and under my pulmonologist's supervision, I have done TWO overnight oximetry studies comparing the effectiveness of the TAP-II device with my bipap. The results of both studies showed that the TAP device worked as well, if not even a little better, than the bipap device.

So...I am a great believer in the TAP-II device and will use it, I hope, for the rest of my life. (I am 67 years old...and was dianosed with 'moderate to severe' sleep apnea about 15 years ago.) The TAP-II oral device is literally a lifesaver for me!

In my case, the laboratory that made the device charged about $500...far below the price that I've seen quoted in previous messages on this website. It is worth three times that ($1,500), but I would suggest that you check with local dentists and/or dental labs, and you will probably be able to find a more reasonable price!

Tom

tomdurango wrote:Fred & Others,

In my case, the laboratory that made the device charged about $500...far below the price that I've seen quoted in previous messages on this website. It is worth three times that ($1,500), but I would suggest that you check with local dentists and/or dental labs, and you will probably be able to find a more reasonable price!

Tom

GREAT info. How do u find a dental lab that will do this? They fit you as well? I thought u would need to go to a dentist to get the fitting. I need 1 of these and am very interested in saving the $$$.

Thank you,

BuzzCap7

BuzzCap7 & others,

Fitting of the TAP-II device is, in essence, done by your dentist. Impressions must be made of your upper and lower teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab (ask your dentist abou this), the device is custom made to fit you, and then your dentist makes any necessary minor changes to the fit. Of course, your dentist will charge you for making the impressions and adjusting the final fit. I suspect, however, that in most cases the dentist's fees will be less than the cost of the TAP-II device itself. You should be able to get a total price from your dentist, which would include the impressions, the cost of the device, and the cost to make minor adjustments.

Tom

I have the Herbst device which essentially does the same thing though it's less bulky than the TAP. I looked at both and ended going with this because I thought it would be easier to tolerate. Now it feels weird if I don't have it in at night. The only disadvantage is that you cannot adjust it yourself. You have to go in and have the dentist do it for you which can be a royal pain.

As for it being effective, it's pretty much eliminated my apnea altogether. However, it's changed my bite enough to the point I may have to have some dental work done. Since my lower jaw is moved forward my back teeth don't touch the way they used to which has caused some issues with my front teeth. The dentist has adjusted and readjusted the device to try with poor results and I will be heading back to have it readjusted next week for hopefully the last time. This was to see if he could reduce the advancement of my jaw.

Once that's done I'll have to have four of my molars "built up" so that all my teeth touch. Not fun, but I think it's worth the alternative of using CPAP.

What was your AHI before and after you started using the device?

fjddmd wrote:Diagnosed with severe OSA in January though no symptoms.

I heard that oral appliances do not have a high rate of success for people with SEVERE OSA. (Heard this from a dentist who makes them.)

This is for Tomdurango

Hi Tom I am so glad to hear of your success with TAP II My husband would like to try one and wants to knw where you are located. He would like to contact your dentist for the fitting. One can't always fine great dentist and I am sure this device is only as good as the dentist who fits it. My husband tried cpap and couldn't stand wearing it.

Thanks

rureps

corner559 wrote:I have the Herbst device which essentially does the same thing though it's less bulky than the TAP. I looked at both and ended going with this because I thought it would be easier to tolerate. Now it feels weird if I don't have it in at night. The only disadvantage is that you cannot adjust it yourself. You have to go in and have the dentist do it for you which can be a royal pain.

As for it being effective, it's pretty much eliminated my apnea altogether. However, it's changed my bite enough to the point I may have to have some dental work done. Since my lower jaw is moved forward my back teeth don't touch the way they used to which has caused some issues with my front teeth. The dentist has adjusted and readjusted the device to try with poor results and I will be heading back to have it readjusted next week for hopefully the last time. This was to see if he could reduce the advancement of my jaw.

Once that's done I'll have to have four of my molars "built up" so that all my teeth touch. Not fun, but I think it's worth the alternative of using CPAP.

Hey Corner,

I need to comment on something you said. Research has shown that the degree to which your jaw is advanced does not have any bearing on whether or not your bite will change. It either will, or it won't, and you are among the 30-35% who have this change occur. Do not have your dentist adjust it back, as your symptoms might reoccur. You are thinking correctly, however, that this change and what you have to do dentally is certainly worth the benefit.

For the others, it is not the lab who decides the cost of TAP (or any OSA) treatment, but the dentist. Yes, the lab fee figures in, but some dentists just deliver an appliance and never check the patient again while others have a complete program to make sure there are no TMJ issues, make sure there are no long-term sore teeth, see that the patient has a follow up sleep study, etc.. Don't forget, you are not buying a device...you are buying treatment. Do you shop for the cheapest pacemaker, or do you find a competent surgeon? (BTW, the TAP3 is a big improvement over the TAP-T, which TRIED to improve on the TAP2, but failed. If you get a TAP, I would ask for the TAP3.

Greetings Fred,

As well diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Sleep study with a CPAP device yielded open airways but I was unable to sleep. Mask pressure and machine noise kept me awake all night. There is a newer nasal CPAP device that also can allow one to sleep (like me) on their side.

Found the TAP device and suggested that and was sent to the Dentist for fit and all that.

I went out and purchased a Digital voice recorder and external powered (makes it supper sensitive) microphone. It has a voice activated setting that allows the unit to remain inactive (not recording) during quiet sleep and only record during louder sounds like sleep disturbance.

I bought this device and used it so I would know when I had adjusted the protrusion screw out enough to stop the audible symptoms. Worked well and I found my setting.

Otherwise someone would have to stay awake all night (like a sleep center) every night to listen and record until you get the proper setting.

Yes, I get to do the morning exercises to ‘reset’ my mandible for proper bite alignment. Sometimes the jaw is sore and sometimes the teeth are sore, well one or two but that is a rarity.

All-in-all, if you are uncomfortable with CPAP, check to see if your insurance covers it (TAP device). I am a Vet so since the device should help medical issues (High BP and all that) it was covered under that plan.

Best in your search,

Christopher