dreamTAP oral Sleep Apnea Device

DaisySmith · Post by **DaisySmith** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:10 am

I was really surprised to search the forums and find no mention of this device. (http://www.oralartsdental.com/dreamtap/) If there is even a chance this thing works I want to take it. I cant stop struggling after 2 years and would do anything to get off cpap. Anyone had success with this??

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:22 am

There has been some discussion about TAP ® (Thornton Adjustable Positioner)
on this forum.
Type "Thornton" into the search box to find some discussion.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:59 am

DaisySmith wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:10 am
I was really surprised to search the forums and find no mention of this device. (http://www.oralartsdental.com/dreamtap/) If there is even a chance this thing works I want to take it. I cant stop struggling after 2 years and would do anything to get off cpap. Anyone had success with this??

I cant stop struggling after 2 years and would do anything to get off cpap.

No wonder, a guaranteed shoot yourself in the foot. To Succeed at anything requires acceptance of the challenge. The mind must be right.... Jim

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 1:07 pm

Cpap is the primary therapy used by members of this forum.
The success stories here rarely involve alternative treatments.
I would imagine that some may have reported success, but I could not find a users site.
Most positive reviews are on sites that are very unlikely to be neutral.

That concerns me, as many people have trouble adjusting to cpap.
Something else needs to be available; but the outlook is dim.

RodL1948 · Post by **RodL1948** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:23 pm

DaisySmith wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:10 am
I was really surprised to search the forums and find no mention of this device. (http://www.oralartsdental.com/dreamtap/) If there is even a chance this thing works I want to take it. I cant stop struggling after 2 years and would do anything to get off cpap. Anyone had success with this??

I have seen reports that long-term use of such devices can cause dislocation of the lower jaw which then presents a whole new set of problems.

xcountrygal · Post by **xcountrygal** » Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:37 pm

I was really surprised to search the forums and find no mention of this device. (http://www.oralartsdental.com/dreamtap/) If there is even a chance this thing works I want to take it. I cant stop struggling after 2 years and would do anything to get off cpap. Anyone had success with this??
Hi Daisy:
While I am relatively new to cpap myself and still trying to sort out all of the variables, particularly masks, I do have some personal experience with a mandibular advancement device (Somnomed) - just not the particular device you cited.

I started using a MAD following a sleep study years ago that noted no actual obstructions, but my oxygen levels would decrease to low 80's during REM. AHI was somewhere in the area of 6-8. Followup home studies with MAD indicated that it was working well for me up until this past year. As my device was getting old, the sleep dentist ordered a home sleep study to provide data needed to authorize a replacement MAD. Much to my surprise, my AHI without the MAD was 49!! I asked to have another home sleep study done with my MAD in place AHI - 17. These studies were 1 month apart - same home sleep study device and same technician scoring the data - so in my case, the MAD made a significant difference in my AHI - unfortunately, not enough of a difference any more.

Ethically, my sleep dentist could not make another device for me - hence the referral for cpap therapy.

There are obviously pros and cons to using an MAD IF you have mild sleep apnea. Pros: it is very portable and can be taken off the grid easily (we like to canoe the Boundary Waters, used to backpack and tent camp in non-electric areas). It is relatively discrete and doesn't make any noise . It fits in your purse or backpack and doesn't require its own suitcase.
Cons: it will change your bite (my bite was never good - so not much difference for me). If you have to have any dental work such as a crown done after your device is made - your sleep dentist will need to very carefully adapt the device to the new tooth (I broke one(the MAD) after a crown as I clench my teeth in my sleep). If you have any tendency toward TMJ, I would strongly discourage it or proceed with much caution. Also, be aware that it will be more difficult to determine day to day efficacy - tho my sleep dentist did monitor yearly with home sleep studies.

If considering a MAD, really vet the sleep dentist you plan to use - there are professional organizations that accredit sleep dentists. If you see someone who wants to totally rebuild your mouth, I would quickly walk the other way. Also consider that it will probably be only a temporary solution as my OA has increased as I have gotten older and now is severe enough to require cpap therapy.

I hope this is helpful information.
Carol

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:28 pm

Some have reported similar devices contributing to TMJ,
so anyone with a predisposition to TMJ would likely not be eligible.
Further, anyone using a device would need to pay careful attention to any mouth changes.
TMJ can be very painful. A colleague had it. She would often moan quietly in pain.
Her health insurance DID NOT COVER IT.

RicaLynn · Post by **RicaLynn** » Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:26 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:28 pm
Some have reported similar devices contributing to TMJ,
so anyone with a predisposition to TMJ would likely not be eligible.
Further, anyone using a device would need to pay careful attention to any mouth changes.
TMJ can be very painful. A colleague had it. She would often moan quietly in pain.
Her health insurance DID NOT COVER IT.

+1

Having suffered with and struggled through treatment for TMJ in college (which, thankfully, WAS covered under my mother's family dental plan), I am leery of ANY oral appliance. Even though I grind my teeth, every OTC night guard specifically mentions that they are contraindicated if you have a history of TMJ. And as appealing as the notion of nasal pillows with no headgear is, I am hesitant to try TAP-Pap for the same reason.

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:51 am

I dont know but I had a device that pulled my tongue and lower jaw forward. Didn't work....still had 64 AHI

I also had the tongue advancement surgery. Also didn't work.

had my uvula out. Didn't work. MOST painful surgery I've had in a while...this was back in 2004.

dreamTAP oral Sleep Apnea Device

dreamTAP oral Sleep Apnea Device

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