Eliminating Barriers for Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment

If dental practices were able to prescribe treatment to every patient who snored or suffered from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), business would boom. That’s because a whopping 27% of the U.S. population snore. But too often we hear from dentists that common treatment options have big barriers for patient acceptance including high costs, insurance acceptance and discomfort during use. The result is a missed opportunity in terms of improving patient lives and expanding business.

An Easier Way to Treat Sleep Apnea and Snoring

In 2013, Airway Management, a leader in helping people who suffer from disordered breathing while sleeping, released the myTAP oral appliance. Clinically proven to treat snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea, the myTAP comes as a pre-assembled stock unit meant to be precision fitted in the dental office using unique thermoplastic materials. This gives the myTAP a fit and feel of a custom device but by definition is not one, since a mold of the patient’s teeth is not being made.

The result is a low-cost customizable device, eliminating the need for dental impressions, bite records and dental labs in the process of treating sleep apnea and snoring with an oral appliance. For these same reasons, the myTAP is available as an immediate treatment option and can be fitted in just 15 minutes. As all dentists know, when you reduce the time and costs of treatment, you increase patient acceptance.

Learn More About myTAP

While oral appliances are still a relatively new option in treating sleep apnea in patients, they are quickly growing in popularity. The myTAP is no exception and as the exclusive distributor, you won’t find this unique treatment option from any dental supply company other than Patterson.

See more information, the most recent research study (more available upon request) and product videos about the myTAP precision-fit oral appliance here.

About Post Author

Mike Smurr

Mike Smurr is the <a href="https://www.pattersondental.com/">Patterson Dental</a> Director of Marketing, Merchandise. Mike began his career with Patterson in 2000, as Milwaukee Branch manager, and held that position until December 2008. During this time, the branch earned Branch of the Year honors twice (fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2003), as well as the Chuck Lottes Award in fiscal 2004 for largest dollar increase in net income over prior year. Mike began his dental career in 1982 as a territory manager for Columbus Dental, serving northern Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1986, he became a marketing manager with Columbus Dental, and was instrumental in transitioning product lines when the company was purchased by Bayer Dental (now Heraeus). From 1989-1990 Mike worked in Germany with the International Marketing team of Bayer Dental. Upon returning to the U.S., he held positions of increasing responsibility, from key account manager to national sales manager. In 1998, Mike became the dental marketing director for Banta Healthcare Products (now TIDI Products), where he advanced to vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for the dental, medical and foodservice business. In his current role as Director of Marketing, Merchandise, Mike is responsible for the marketing interactions between Patterson Dental and the over 800 manufacturers with whom Patterson works. This includes marketing communications, product submissions, promotional and introductory product campaigns and private label business.