SleepDent

Unfortunately, as you said, each case is unique. To some degree, the amount of protrusion needed relates to the severity of the patient's OSA. It is typical that TAPs default at about 50% of the range. It is possible that this amount of protrusion could be sufficient for a younger, thinner, mild level patient. Usually, I just tell people to do one half turn a day until there is a sense that the adjustments are no longer providing any more improvement OR your muscles and jaws joints start to feel strained. I would say that, for most people, 50 to 70 % of maximum protrusion generally gets the job done, but for more severe cases it could take closer to 100%. I am sure that your sleep dentist will monitor you until you are properly adjusted. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D., The Naples Center For Dental Sleep Medicine.

See my post: Help Is On The Way For People With Leaking Full Face Masks. Actually can be used for leaking any kind of masks. SleepDent

I just about have the prototypes where I want them to begin field trials. They are basically made out of a bunch of F.D.A. approved parts and materials that have been repurposed and reshaped. The key is to try to build enough strength and longevity into the prototypes when you are working with an essentially hand-built product. I have NO shortage of people who want to use them. Dr. Luisi

Thanks. Hoping to get it into commercial production in about a year. We'll see how it goes. Dr. Luisi

Although the Tap3 Elite is no longer produced, my remembrance of it is that it had the same face plate held on by two screws as the other members of the Tap family. My best guess is that the current mouth shield for the Tap3/dreamTap WOULD retrofit to the Tap3 Elite. I would got to www.tapintosleep.com to get their number and give them a call. You might be pleasantly surprised. Dr. Luisi

At this moment, I am working on prototypes for a new type of full face mask that could help huge numbers of people. The mask starts out as a nasal pillow mask that attaches to the teeth via a tray that eliminates all external straps. This is nothing new. The CPAP Pro and the TapPap have been doing this for years. What IS new is that my mask comes with a very, very soft silicone oval shaped intraoral mouth shield that seals off the mouth from the INSIDE. Very, very comfortable. Feels like nothing at all. With an intraoral seal, the air pressure becomes your friend, not your enemy because it just seals more tightly. Mask will not leak in any position and with any movement-EVER. Will keep you updated as to progress. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr.,D.M.D., The Naples Center For Dental Sleep Medicine.

At this moment, I am working on prototypes for a new type of full face mask that I think is going to help huge numbers of people. The mask starts with nasal pillows that are attached to the upper teeth via a tray which eliminates all external straps. This is nothing new. The CPAP Pro and the TapPap have been doing this for years. What IS new is that my device has a very, very soft oval-shaped silicone mouth seal that goes inside the mouth. Very comfortable and feels like nothing. By sealing the mouth from the inside, the air pressure becomes your friend and not your enemy because it actually seals better. Mask will just not leak in any position and with any movement-EVER. Will keep you updated on the progress. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D., The Naples Center For Dental Sleep Medicine.

I think that you make some very valid points. I think that there IS too much reliance on the numbers and trying to quantify things. And when you really dig into the standards that are currently set, you find that, basically, there is still a certain amount of uncertainty as to what constitutes "adequate" treatment, both for CPAP and oral appliances. There really should be more emphasis on quality of life. Let me give you a real life example from my practice. A patient was diagnosed with an AHI of 45. He did not take take my primary recommendation as to the best oral appliance for his severity level and, instead, chose something more comfortable to him. His chief complaint was that his wife did not like his snoring at night. The appliance knocked out his snoring to his wife's satisfaction and reduced his AHI to about 25, which made him feel a lot better. The sleep doctor covering the case was pretty dissatisfied with the results, but the patient and his wife were pleased and he continues to use the appliance. Is that good enough. Maybe, yes. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D., The Naples Center for Dental Sleep Medicine.

Check out www.tapintosleep.com. Dr. Luisi

Right. It is very important to let at least 30 minutes elapse after removing the appliance before you start using the A.M. Aligner. Your muscles need time to warm up and there are some tender tissues behind the ball joint of your lower jaw that need to work out some fluid in them that builds up over night. You must use the A. M. Aligner GENTLY. Don't try to force your teeth into the holes quickly like a square peg in to a round hole. That can cause pain. Dr. Luisi