This intra-oral appliance is the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) appliance. For many of those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, this appliance can be a life saver. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that involves the cessation of breathing during sleep that last for a variable length of time. Sleep apnea has been implicated with high blood pressure, drowsiness, heart disease and a host of other physical maladies. The TAP appliance, fitted by a dentist, pulls the lower jaw forward so that the tongue and soft palate cannot fall back against the rear wall of the pharynx--the cause of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
In addition to the treatment of sleep apnea, the TAP appliance and the SilentNite appliance (shown to the right) can help prevent snoring. This annoying nocturnal activity can pose great stress on marriages and relationships. The use of an intra-oral appliance to treat snoring has a hight success rate--almost 80%. Dr. Titus can tell you more about the SilentNite and TAP appliances and also provide you with a screening device that will help determine if sleep apnea is a problem for you.
