News

Local dentist offers new treatment options for sleep apnea

CPAP commonly abandoned; TAP device more comfortable

October 25, 2010 | Category: News Releases

AUSTIN—Bill Siptak owns Austin Mattress/Beds N Brass by day and snores by night. He has a condition called sleep apnea—an often-debilitating disorder caused when the position of the lower jaw causes a literal blockage of airflow to the lungs resulting in disruptive sleep patterns marked by snoring.

“I knew there was a problem because my wife has pointy elbows,” Siptak said. “Not only was I not sleeping, I was waking up exhausted and so was my wife. I saw a piece on television telling sufferers of sleep apnea to go to their dentist for help, and so I called my dentist, Dr. Michael Bell.”

Dr. Michael Bell, DDS uses the innovative Thornton Adjustable Positioned snore appliance (TAP) to treat sleep apnea to improve patients’ health and lives.

“Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to heart and blood pressure problems, in addition to major quality of life issues due to lack of sleep,” Dr. Bell said. “With more than 30 percent of patients abandoning the CPAP system due to severe discomfort, we encourage patients to try the TAP as an easy and cost-effective alternative.”

There are many treatments for sleep apnea. One of the most common is the Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) system while the newer Thornton Adjustable Positioned (TAP) snore appliance is gaining more attention for effectively and comfortably treating sleep apnea patients.

Unlike the CPAP system, which requires patients to wear a mask attached to an air machine during sleeping hours, the TAP snore appliance is easily fits into the mouth like an athletic mouthpiece. While a patient must lay on his back with the CPAP system because the patient’s mask is connected to the air machine, the user of TAP simply inserts the mouthpiece and uses a small key to lock the jaw in place when ready for sleep. The TAP patient is free to sleep in an unencumbered fashion, and the spouse can hear the crickets chirp for a change because the lower jaw is held in the forward position, which maintains a clear airway to reduce snoring.

The TAP is a custom-fitted device that a dentist must prescribe. Patients can visit their dentist to see if the TAP snore device is appropriate, which it usually is for a person who snores with light to moderate sleep apnea. The dentist will create a mold of the mouth similar to the creation of a retainer. Once the patient is fitted, the mouthpiece can be easily inserted at night.

To Bill Siptak, the TAP system means not only a great night’s sleep for himself but for his wife, too.

For more information, go to www.mbelldds.com or call 512-327-7750.

About Dr. Michael C. Bell

Dr. Michael C. Bell, DDS, is a nationally recognized practitioner of general and cosmetic dentistry in Austin, Texas. He was recently voted one of the Top Dentists in Austin Monthly Magazine and was honored for the fourth year in a row as one of Texas Monthly’s Super Dentists. Dr. Bell has been a practicing dentist for more than 30 years, focusing on general and cosmetic dentistry, including dental implants. Dr. Bell and his team are known for their use of the latest technology to provide complete and accurate diagnoses of dental conditions, as well as patient comfort and safety.

For more information, contact:
Brenda Thompson, 512-461-5644
brenda@brendathompson.com