flexTAP®
The Newest, Most Innovative customTAP Oral Appliance
flexTAP® with Vertex Technology® is a premium lab-made custom oral appliance for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
As the first custom TAP with no metal parts, flexTAP is an oral appliance that is customized for personal comfort and equipped with a self-adjuster for at-home ease. flexTAP’s new blue ThermAcryl® liner is thinner, more durable, and easy to adjust chair side using warm water. The key to flexTAP’s success is the new patented Vertex Technology, which is the design of the post angulation in the flexTAP hardware.
flexTAP is the first custom oral appliance to include a standard nasal breathing component, the flexTAP Mouth Shield, to improve comfort and treatment outcomes.
Vertex Technology is the key to flexTAP Success
Vertex Technology is the design of the post angulation in the flexTAP hardware.
The post is angled at a 45-degree angle, allowing the patient to advance their lower jaw both vertically and horizontally at the same time.
By opening the box both vertically and horizontally, vs just horizontally in most oral appliances, we’ve seen patients needing less protrusion which eases joint pain or strain on the jaw and less tooth movement.
flexTAP opens the box more than any custom TAP on the market and still has the key factor of patients being able to self-adjust if needed
Adjustment Mechanism
The flexTAP Adjustment Dial allows the clinician or patient to adjust the amount of protrusion of the lower jaw to the most effective and comfortable position. Each half turn (counterclockwise “from user’s perspective”) of the flexTAP® Adjustment Dial will advance in ⅓ mm increments.
ThermAcryl Liner
The flexTAP Adjustment Dial allows the clinician or patient to adjust the amount of protrusion of the lower jaw to the most effective and comfortable position. Each half turn (counterclockwise “from user’s perspective”) of the flexTAP Adjustment Dial will advance in ⅓ mm increments.
Nasal Breathing
flexTAP is the first custom appliance on the market to include a standard nasal breathing component. Recent literature shows nasal breathing as the proper way to breathe. The flexTAP Mouth Shield slips onto the post to increase comfort and provide better treatment outcomes. It also helps prevent dry mouth or excess saliva.
What Customers Are Saying
John Viviano, DDS, Sleep Disorders Dentistry
Steve Carstensen, DDS, Premier Sleep Associates
“Incredibly easy to fit.”
“It is my new go-to. Patients love the additional tongue space and that it's metal-free. I love that we can ask patients to adjust at home without an in-person visit pending their symptoms.”
Research Behind flexTAP
Research is the guiding factor behind all TAP innovation. Custom TAP devices are the most peer reviewed oral appliances on the market with over 45 studies being independent.
1. The flexTAP adjustment mechanism was guided by ACTA research results showing myTAP is as effective as legacy custom TAP appliances.
2. The flexTAP Mouth Shield nasal breathing trainer was guided by A&M research results showing myTAP with Mouth Shield outperformed myTAP alone.
3. Two of the strongest TAP appliance studies proved that vertical adjustability and more tongue space led to better outcomes.
- In the Army Study (n=497), TAP had similar effectiveness to CPAP.
- 10-year ACTA study demonstrated effectiveness and adherence of TAP vs CPAP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the device blue?
Is it PDAC coded?
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.
Why is there a post on this custom TAP?
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.
Can I trim the excess adjuster?
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.
How do I adjust the ThermAcryl tray liners chairside?
- 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.
Why should my patient use the flexTAP Mouth Shield nasal breathing trainer?
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.
Why should I choose flexTAP over any custom oral appliance?
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.
All custom TAP oral appliances are Medicare coded (E0486). Download the coding verification for all customTAP oral appliances.
Learn More About Our Other Oral Appliances
myTAP
myTAP can be fit in as little as 15 minutes, allowing same-day treatment and immediate relief from sleep apnea and snoring.
dreamTAP
dreamTAP offers greater tongue space with no obstructions. Connect with TAP PAP™ for hybrid therapy. Promote nasal breathing with Custom Mouth Shield.
TAP 3
TAP 3 includes an adjustment key for the patient or clinician to adjust the lower jaw while wearing the device until a comfortable and effective position is achieved. Promote nasal breathing with Custom Mouth Shield.
