Founded in 1996, Airway Management, Inc. stands as one of the pioneering companies in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine. Part of our success is that our Founder and Chief Innovation Officer is still fully active in the company, with a desire to constantly improve patient outcomes.
TAP devices are easy to use due to the patented single-point midline adjustment mechanism at the front. This pulls the lower jaw forward rather than pushing from the sides like Herbst-style or Dorsal devices.
It allows for precise, incremental Easy to Use while worn in the mouth, enabling finer adjustments and often greater advancement beyond natural bite range.
TAP devices are backed by over 50+ independent peer-reviewed studies on thousands of patients, showing reliable results and comparisons to CPAP.
Key highlights for patients:
— Large studies show significant drops in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI — a main measure of OSA severity). Many patients reach an AHI below 5 (successful control).
— Long-term studies (up to 10 years) find TAP provides similar benefits to CPAP in lowering AHI, easing daytime sleepiness, and improving daily life — especially for mild to moderate OSA.
— A 2025 retrospective study of CPAP-intolerant patients with moderate-to-severe OSA showed 72% had major improvement (at least 50% AHI reduction or better control to mild levels). Success varied by severity: 85% in moderate, 75% in severe.
— Reduces snoring (up to 90-96% in reports), lowers daytime sleepiness scores, improves oxygen levels, and supports better gum health with add-ons like the Mouth Shield.
TAP options like myTAP (quick same-day fit), flexTAP, and Nylon flexTAP® (new 3D-printed design) build on this evidence for better comfort and fit.
OSA often links to other conditions. Studies on devices like TAP show treating it can bring positive changes:
— Reduces daytime systolic blood pressure by about -1.8 mmHg and diastolic by -2.2 mmHg (from pooled trial data). Some research shows it’s as good as — or better in nighttime readings — than CPAP for lowering 24-hour blood pressure in people with hypertension and OSA, potentially cutting risks for heart disease or stroke.
— Improves alertness, attention, memory, and executive function — thanks to better sleep and less daytime tiredness. Some pilot studies even suggest snoring reduction may help reverse mild cognitive issues.
— Links to better glucose control in diabetes, reduced inflammation, and help managing related issues like obesity or high cholesterol.
— A 2025 randomized trial on myTAP with Mouth Shield in patients with mild-moderate periodontitis and OSA/mouth breathing showed reduced gum inflammation and bleeding when added to regular dental care — it supports oral health without worsening issues.
— May ease mood problems (like depression/anxiety), GERD, asthma, or related risks in some studies.
