The TAP

HOW THE TAP WORKS

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.

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 OSA
Date of FDA Approval: August 21, 1997
FDA Registration Number: K972061

The Silencer

Professional is a laboratory fabricated fully adjustable oral appliance for the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. The appliance features a titanium precision attachment, which controls the anatomical settings of the appliance. It is capable of anteroposterior adjustment as well as vertical adjustment through a range of 10mm, in both dimensions. The design of the precision attachment also allows lateral movement of the mandible which respects and protects the TMJ. The titanium Halstrom Hinge? is made of implant grade titanium and carries a five-year warranty.

There are three component materials in the Silencer. The body of the appliance is constructed of elastomer,a pliable material which offers the patient a much greater degree of comfort than harder acrylic materials. For additional support, to the dentition as well as the temporomandibular joint, hard acrylic "bite pads" are placed in the molar regions. A commercially pure titanium articulating component grants the appliance the many adjustment characteristics that make the Silencer unique - kind to the tissues, the teeth, and the temporomandibular joint.

FDA Approval: Approved for both snoring and OSA
Date of FDA Approval: Nov 29, 1995
FDA Registration Number: K954530

The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway SysteT is the first dental device to be reviewed by both the dental and ENT divisions of the FDA and to be approved as a dental device for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea through mandibular repositioning and also as a nasal dilator for reduction of nasal resistance and improved nasal breathing.

The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway System(tm) functions to:

* Act as a mandibular repositioner
* Act as a nasal dilator
* Allow mouth breathing to occur, if required.

The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway SystemT is designed to achieve these functions with the following goals:

* Maintain maximize the intraoral volume.
* Minimize the force on the teeth.
* Have no components that extend extra orally through the lips.
* To reduce upper airway resistance.

THE OASYS ORAL/NASAL AIRWAY SYSTEMT REDUCES THE FORCES ON THE TEETH BY DESIGN.

The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway SystemT fits securely onto the lower arch only. The upper flange extends in front of the upper arch and under the upper lip. This maintains a slippage during mandibular movements during usage. There is a nature give to the wires that creates a yielding give when the mandible pulls back on the device. Provided is an upper splint that distributes the forces through the entire arch. Together these act to reduce the forces on the teeth.

MAXIMAL INRAORAL VOLUME

The OASYS Oral/Nasal Airway SystemT maintains maximal tongue space by positioning the connectors and adjustment components outside of the dental arch leaving the palate and anterior oral space completely free for the tongue to position itself up and forward. There is usually even an open space for the tip of the tongue to go between the incisor teeth.

SYNERGISTIC FUNCTION FOR MAXIMAL RESULTS The OASYS

Oral/Nasal Airway SystemT maintains the patentcy of the oropharyngeal airway by functioning as a mandibular repositioner and as a nasal dilator by maintaining a stretch in the nasal labial tissue to dilate the internal nares.

For more information http://www.oasyssleep.com

Because of the construction design, we use the Silent Nite as a transitional or temporary appliance only.

The SomnoMed MAS is a custom-made device, consisting of upper and lower dental plates with a unique patented fin-coupling component, which allows normal mouth opening and closing. If required, a part can be added to make the device adjustable. This feature provides incremental and adjustable levels of lower jaw advancement, which improves the effectiveness and comfort-level of treatment as the jaw is moved only as far as is required to alleviate snoring and reduce OSA. Key features and benefits of the device include: Permits normal mouth opening Allows speech and drinking Provides full lip-seal Easily adjustable Safe and effective Clinically proven Custom-fitted Additionally, the SomnoMed MAS is made from durable fade-proof acrylic that retains its shape and color for at least four-five years and is covered by a two year manufacturer's warranty.

FDA Approval received July 2005

The EMA - Custom appliance is a simple, patient-friendly oral appliance created for noninvasive treatment of snoring and OSA. The primary treatment mechanism of opening the bite and gently moving the mandible forward is achieved with the use of interchangeable elastic straps that offer varying degrees of mandibular advancement. The flexibility of these elastic straps provides unsurpassed lateral movement and overall TMJ comfort. The 2 mm thick pressure formed bases offer orthodontic retention (resulting in no tooth movement) and maximum anterior tongue space because there are no projections in the palate.

The Elastic Mandibular Advancement (EMA®) appliance uses elastic force to advance the mandible. Hand plastic trays are pressure formed to the patient's models and utilize the undercut areas of the teeth for retention. This insures that there will be no movement of the patient's teeth. Bite planes are used to open the bite. Mandibular advancement is achieved with different length straps. The elastic pull can also be adjusted to suit the patient's musculature. The straps provide complete lateral movement.

The EMA - Custom is available only to dental professionals
FDA Approval: Approved for both Snoring and OSA
Date of FDA Approval: Sept. 29, 1997
FDA Registration Number: K971794

Klearway™ is a fully-adjustable oral appliance used for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Fabricated of thermoactive acrylic resin, Klearway becomes pliable for easy insertion and confirms securely to the dentition for an excellent fit while significantly decreasing soft tissue and tooth discomfort. Small increments (0.25mm) of forward lower jaw advancement are initiated by the patient under the direction of a dentist and this helps avoid rapid jaw movements that can cause significant patient discomfort. The appliance does not encroach on tongue space.

Once warmed under hot water and inserted, the acrylic resin hardens as it cools to body temperature and firmly affixes itself to both arches. Lateral and vertical jaw movement is permitted which enables the patient to yawn, swallow, and drink water without dislodging the appliance.

A total of nine articles about the Klearway appliance are available for review by dentists and/or physicians.

FDA Approval: Approved for both Snoring and OSA
Date of FDA Approval: May 25, 1995
FDA Registration Number: K950763