A new research paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that Airway Management’s non-custom myTAP oral appliance is as effective as the custom TAP for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Fifty-eight patients were randomized to start either with Airway Management’s non-custom myTAP or a custom device. Over a period of 12 weeks, patients used the device assigned to them. Researchers then evaluated their progress by administering an in-lab sleep test and questionnaires.
The median apnea-hypopnea index significantly reduced from 16.3 events to 10.7 events per hour with the custom device and from 7.8 events per hour with the non-custom device. Self-reported outcomes significantly improved in both groups.
“No significant differences were found between both devices,” the researchers wrote. “The effectiveness of a non-custom and custom [mandibular advancement device] is comparable, which suggests that a non-custom [device] can be used as a selection tool for treatment eligibility to improve treatment outcomes,” the authors conclude.
The study also identified another advantage of using a non-custom device: immediate availability. Custom oral appliances can require several weeks to produce, “boil and bite” devices are ready for use immediately, offering a solution for patients affected by the ongoing CPAP recall, according to a statement from the Dallas-based manufacturer Airway Management.
Photo: ID 115247277 © Jana Ščigelová | Dreamstime.com.
