TAP 3
- Construction: Two custom trays, hook on the upper and socket on the lower
- Adjustment: One central point, turned with a key by the patient or the dentist
- Range: 7 mm on one hook
Dental sleep appliances
TAP 3 and DreamTAP
Two TAP appliances, both titrated at one point at the front with a key the patient can turn at home. The TAP 3’s hook and socket sit lingually, which helps the lips close; the DreamTAP sets its hardware on the outside of the trays for more tongue room and a 15 mm range. We build both in Phoenix from scans or impressions and a construction bite.
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The two TAP appliances
DreamTAP
- Construction: Two custom trays, hardware on the outside
- Adjustment: Key, 0.25 mm per 180-degree turn, by the patient or the dentist
- Range: 15 mm across three hook sizes
Hook and socket at the front, one central adjustment.
TAP 3
The TAP 3 is two custom trays joined at the front. A hook on the upper tray seats in a socket on the lower tray, and that connection holds the mandible forward. The joint works as a fixed hinge, so the trays stay connected while the patient sleeps.
Advancement is set at a single point on the midline with an adjustment key. With one central adjustment there is no left and right to set separately: both sides advance together, which avoids the irregular bite that uneven adjustment can leave.
The patient, or you, turns the key with the appliance in the mouth, following the titration you prescribe. One hook gives 7 mm of advancement. The stainless steel parts sit lingually, which helps the lips close over the appliance, and the design leaves room for the tongue.
- Construction
- Two trays, hook on the upper and socket on the lower
- Adjustment
- One central point, turned with a key
- Range
- 7 mm on one hook
- Hardware
- Stainless steel, set lingually
Hardware on the outside of the trays, 15 mm of range.
DreamTAP
On the DreamTAP the advancement hardware is set facially, on the outside of the trays at the front. With the parts outside, the tongue has more room than on the TAP 3.
Three hook sizes cover 15 mm of advancement, against 7 mm on the TAP 3.
Each 180-degree turn of the adjustment key moves the mandible 0.25 mm. Because every step is the same, the patient can count turns to set the position precisely, so the treatment position can be held and still changed as symptoms change. The hardware is chromium-cobalt and stainless steel.
- Construction
- Two trays, hardware on the outside
- Adjustment
- Key, 0.25 mm per 180-degree turn
- Range
- 15 mm across three hook sizes
- Hardware
- Chromium-cobalt and stainless steel, set facially
TAP 3 or DreamTAP
Both are adjusted at the front with a key. The main differences are where the hardware sits and how far it can take the mandible.
| Feature | TAP 3 | DreamTAP |
|---|---|---|
| Where the hardware sits | At the front, set lingually | At the front, on the outside of the trays |
| Advancement range | 7 mm on one hook | 15 mm across three hook sizes |
| Adjustment | Key at one central point | Key at one central point |
| Who adjusts | Patient or dentist | Patient or dentist |
| Metal | Stainless steel | Chromium-cobalt and stainless steel |
| Trays we build | Hard acrylic, or hard with a soft liner | Hard acrylic, or hard with a soft liner |
Not sure which suits the case? Call the sleep lab before you take the bite.
Sending a TAP case
What we need from you
Diagnosis stays with the patient’s physician; you prescribe the appliance and direct titration. As with any mandibular advancement device, long-term wear can change the bite, so plan for follow-up.
- Scans or impressions
- Upper and lower. Either is fine.
- Construction bite
- Taken at the starting advancement and vertical opening you want the appliance built to.
- On the prescription
- TAP 3 or DreamTAP, hard acrylic or soft liner, and the starting advancement and titration range.
TAP, TAP 3 and DreamTAP are trademarks of Airway Management. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.