How Oral Appliances Work
Oral Appliances are placed in the mouth and are worn much like an orthodontic appliance or sports mouth protector. They are worn during sleep to prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat so that the airway stays open during sleep. The appliances promote adequate air intake and help to provide normal sleep in people who snore and have a medical condition known as sleep apnea. Oral appliances can be used alone or in conjunction with other means of therapy such as continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Determination of proper therapy can only be made by joint consultation of your dentist and sleep physician.
Types of Oral Appliances
Currently, over 40 different types of oral appliance are available to specially trained dentists to treat sleep disordered breathing. In our office, we use several mandibular repositioning devices depending on your specific needs.
Mandibular Repositioning Appliances
Mandibular repositioning appliances maintain the lower jaw (mandible) in a protruded position during sleep. This serves to open the airway by indirectly pulling the tongue forward since the tongue is attached to the lower jaw, by stimulating activity of the muscles in the tongue and making it more rigid, and by holding the lower jaw and other structures in a stable position to prevent opening of the mouth.
Appliance Used in Our Office (TAP)
The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP®) is a custom-made two piece adjustable appliance that is worn while sleeping. The trays of the appliance snap over the upper and lower teeth and hook together. The design is based on the same principle as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. The airway must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat. The TAP® holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it does not shift nor fall open during the night. This prevents the airway from collapsing. The more you pull your jaw forward, the more your airway will open.
The TAP® is the only mandibular advancement device that can be adjusted easily by the patient or practitioner while in the mouth. This feature allows the patient to always be in control of their treatment. The unique design also allows the patient to fine-tune their treatment position at home to achieve maximum results.
Most patients experience relief the very first night they wear their TAP®. Although it may take up to a week to get used to wearing a TAP® appliance, this is a small hurdle for patients. Nine in ten patients wear the device all night, every night – making the TAP® a highly effective solution for both snoring and sleep apnea.
SNORING HEADS
Features
* Patient-friendly* Superior results* Easy to fit* Infinitely adjustable* Precise control of advancement* Interchangeable hooks* Freedom for lateral movement* More room for tongue* Allows lips to close
The TAP® can help prevent conditions linked to sleep apnea:
* Chronic daytime sleepiness* High blood pressure* Heart attack* Stroke* Heartburn, reflux* Morning headaches* Depression
FDA Approval: Approved for both snoring and OSADate of FDA Approval: August 21, 1997FDA Registration Number: K972061
