flexTAP®

The flexTAP is designed with blue ThermAcryl trays for aesthetic purposes and to maintain an overall cleaner look, as well as to overcome natural staining that occurs with all oral devices.

Yes, flexTAP can be billed for Medicare beneficiaries using the E0486 HCPCS code. This code enables coverage with most medical insurers and expands consumer access to flexTAP that treats mild to moderate sleep apnea.

The post allows for more tongue space, which equates to better outcomes. It also removes the need for exchanging metal parts or hooks, which is time consuming for the doctor and patient. It also enables a wide range of advancement, eliminating the need to switch out hooks or metal parts as well as bite registration, all of which are time consuming and costly for the doctor and patient. It makes for an easier way to apply the nasal breather trainer (flexTAP Mouth Shield). It will also be the connection point of the continued TAP innovation.

The flexTAP adjustor was designed to be interchangeable (future improvements to come), and can easily be snapped back in. Under normal wearing conditions, tension in the mouth pulls it forward, making it less likely to become disengaged from the lower tray. Secondarily, the adjuster is always tethered to the dial or post, so there is no risk from the adjustor falling in the patient’s mouth.

• Too loose: reheat, reseat, and press the trays firmly onto the dentition. Then, place the trays into or under cool water to speed the cooling process.
• Too tight: reheat and reseat. Then, lift the appliance up and down several times to loosen the fit. Place the trays into or under cool water to speed the cooling process.
• If the trays are too tight because they are tall, you can shorten them using a Brasseler Bristle Brush #209-0616-411-144 #12 Standard Stiff.
• If the trays are too tight due to excess material in the interproximal spaces/occlusal contact, use the Brasseler Bristle Brush #209-0616-411-144 #12 Standard Stiff to relieve these areas.

Some patients complain of the flexTAP post – the sleeve of the mouth shield improves comfort of the post and overall device. The mouth shield has been reported to help patients with excess saliva or dry mouth, which are common complaints of all oral appliances. Finally, the mouth shield acts as a nasal breathing trainer. Recent studies have shown nasal breathing to be the proper way to breathe and to get the most quality air.

Building off 30 years of research and innovation, flexTAP is the easiest custom oral appliance for the clinician to deliver and adjust chairside. It’s also more comfortable and easier for patients to use, encouraging better treatment outcomes. Additionally, flexTAP is the only oral appliance [IF1] [KM2] to offer a standard nasal breathing promoter.