THE 3 T’s OF
PATRICK TESSIER
to patients accepting oral appli-
ance therapy is confidence that
it will work. With a price tag that
can be over $3,000, it’s a big
leap of faith. Even with insur-
ance reimbursement, between
co-pays and deductibles, the
out of pocket can be quite high.
For the Clinician: the literature
is quite clear the OAT is very ef-
fective, but what about for your
patient?
The lowest cost and most effec-
tive method to gain confidence
for both the patient and the doc-
tor is with a trial appliance. Even
better, a trial appliance that very
much replicates the permanent
appliance. Like the myTAP as a
predictor for the dreamTAP.
Dentists are resourceful and
creative. They are driven to
continuously improve tools and
techniques to provide the best
care for their patients. Take the
myTAP for example. Following
introduction in 2013, Clinicians
around the world have found nu-
merous ways to utilize the device
for their practices. For instance,
did you know that you can si-
multaneously treat patients or-
thodontically with clear aligners
and sleep disordered breathing
(SDB)? Here are the most pop-
ular uses, so far, for the myTAP.
Temporary
There are several reasons a pa-
tient may need to use a tempo-
rary oral appliance. The most
common is while waiting for the
permanent device to be man-
ufactured. Many dentists use
the myTAP to avoid any risk for
non-treatment, while the custom
appliance is being built.
Dog ate the appliance? Need
an emergency back-up? How
about a CPAP alternative for
travel or camping? Most Den-
tists don’t want to leave their
patients without this life saving
treatment.
Titration
One of the difficult aspects of
treating SDB with oral appliances
is determining the most effective
protrusion position. The most
reliable method comes from the
Sleep Labs – Titrate and mea-
sure while the patient is sleeping.
Summary
The myTAP is by far and away
the simplest, lowest cost, small-
est, chairside delivery appliance
on the market. Backed by 20
years of peer reviewed TAP
studies. It works. The biggest
question is how will you use the
myTAP in your practice?
Underneath the myTAP is a scale
with 1mm increments. Read the
scale at the end of the adjust-
ment nut.
Some Clinicians combine with
Home Sleep Testing devices
(HST) for a measured titration
done at home. Others rely on
empirical data from the sleeping
partner. Did the symptoms de-
crease?
Trial
Probably the biggest obstacle
PATRICK TESSIER
BSME, MBA
Patrick is a Mechanical Engi-
neer with an MBA. He serves
as the Director of Dental
Business Development for
Airway Management.
He can be reached at
[email protected]