Veteran CPAP User / TAP Device

I am 54 years old and have been using a CPAP for about five years now. It changed my life. Having oxygen in your blood while sleeping is a good thing.
Due to my sinus issues I use a full face mask. Wearing a mask has never really bothered me like it does others. In fact I don't think I could fall asleep without it on now. About a year ago I decided to try a dental device called a TAP Device (Thornton Adjustable Positioner). This device is supposed to help with sleep apnea and I am sure works for some. My experience was not positive. First this device cost me over $4000. Insurance does not cover it. The device works by forcing your lower jaw forward and changing the geometry of your soft pallet thereby allowing air to flow smoothly thus oxygenating your blood properly. First, this thing really is uncomfortable at first and gets worse as it is adjusted out further. Then when you get up in the morning and take it out, then you have to get you jaw to move back where it is normally and this hurts too. But, since I shelled out 4 grand I was determined to make it work. I did just as the doctor said to. But then I purchased a Oxy Meter that records while you sleep and then you can print out the whole nights sleep and see how well my blood oxygen did. I found that the TAP Device offered little help and that the number of events were around 85. Where the same test with my CPAP was 10 or less events. I have talked to several people that have tried the TAP Device and they all had the same experience as me. The doctor insists that it has a 95% success rate. I think he just likes making easy money.
So, to summarize, don't try a TAP Device unless you have $4000 to throw away. (My opinion)
I still use the oxymeter about once a month just to check on my CPAP effectiveness. It works great.

SleepyHowie wrote:I am 54 years old and have been using a CPAP for about five years now. It changed my life. Having oxygen in your blood while sleeping is a good thing.
Due to my sinus issues I use a full face mask. Wearing a mask has never really bothered me like it does others. In fact I don't think I could fall asleep without it on now. About a year ago I decided to try a dental device called a TAP Device (Thornton Adjustable Positioner). This device is supposed to help with sleep apnea and I am sure works for some. My experience was not positive. First this device cost me over $4000. Insurance does not cover it. The device works by forcing your lower jaw forward and changing the geometry of your soft pallet thereby allowing air to flow smoothly thus oxygenating your blood properly. First, this thing really is uncomfortable at first and gets worse as it is adjusted out further. Then when you get up in the morning and take it out, then you have to get you jaw to move back where it is normally and this hurts too. But, since I shelled out 4 grand I was determined to make it work. I did just as the doctor said to. But then I purchased a Oxy Meter that records while you sleep and then you can print out the whole nights sleep and see how well my blood oxygen did. I found that the TAP Device offered little help and that the number of events were around 85. Where the same test with my CPAP was 10 or less events. I have talked to several people that have tried the TAP Device and they all had the same experience as me. The doctor insists that it has a 95% success rate. I think he just likes making easy money.
So, to summarize, don't try a TAP Device unless you have $4000 to throw away. (My opinion)
I still use the oxymeter about once a month just to check on my CPAP effectiveness. It works great.

SleepyHowe,

I am so sorry the TAP device didn't work for you. Unfortunately, your doctor is full of sh-t because according to this study, the best results are mostly for mild apnea between 70 and 80%. And as the severity of the apnea worsens, your chances of success are decreases.

https://advancedbrainmonitoring.app.box ... 7pjn8s11y4

Personally, because of my great struggles in adjusting to pap therapy, I looked into it but the cost greatly dissuaded me. And I ran into dentists like yours including one office that claimed people were successful because they were able sleep through the night. I am not joking.

I am convinced that if all sleep medicine dentists were like Dr. Luisi, on the sleep apnea support board, that the success rate would be alot higher since I am convinced that it also due to a dentist who is willing to go the extra mile to make things work as he seems to be.

And by the way, he has constantly said to me that in order for a dental device to be maximally effective, you need to have good nasal potency. So it could be due your sinus issue that you also didn't have success with the tap.

Glad pap therapy works for and again, i am sorry you had such miserable experience with the tap.

49er

Thanks 49er