from Airway Management, Inc
February 17, 2003

After a sleep study I was diagnosed with mild apnea. My ENT suggested a CPAP machine. However, I had read that there is a "patient compliance" problem with CPAP, in that many patients discontinue use due to discomfort and frankly, I couldn't imagine using one myself.

After doing some additional research I decided to give the TAP device a try. My snoring stopped the very first night has not returned after three weeks of use. My wife was able to throw away the ear plugs she has been sleeping with for the past several years, and my medical insurance even paid for a major portion of the cost of the TAP.

The TAP gave me an additional, unexpected benefit: I no longer have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! I can only assume my apnea was partially waking me and making me conscious of an urge to urinate. Now I sleep soundly the entire night and am better rested the next day.

Thanks to Dr. Blumenthal, a Memphis dentist who fitted me with the TAP my quality of life has definitely improved.

Chris Deal
Chicago, IL
March 21, 2000

The Thornton Adjustable Positioner - "TAP" - literally saved my life. Ever since junior high school, I can remember having feelings of fatigue, low self-esteem, and other symptoms typically attributed to depression. However, at the time, I didn't know what was wrong. I just knew that I couldn't wake up in the mornings, I didn't have any physical or mental energy during the day, and that I couldn't fall asleep. I was 28 years old before I realized I had sleep apnea and found a solution.

My life and the choices I made were directly affected by my sleeping disorder. I didn't play high school football because I knew I couldn't get up in the morning for 6:00 am workouts. I didn't involve myself in other activities at school because I felt like I didn't belong. I got a college degree in a major that was less than what I desired but at least offered the path of least resistance.

The consequences of living with sleep apnea are almost too numerous and complex to explain. I have a college degree, but a lack of focus has resulted in 16 jobs since graduation 8 years ago. I am divorced and can undoubtedly say my sleep apnea caused about 90% of the difficulties in my relationship with my ex-wife. The disruption of personal finances has created a lot of undue stress over the years. Sleep deprivation is widely regarded as the number one form of torture in times of war. The effects are no different when dealing with day-to-day life.

The day I was fired from a very promising career with a commercial real estate firm because of a lack of performance related to my sleep apnea, I decided not to proceed with anything else in life until I figured out what was wrong. Over the next eight months, I met with psychiatrists, psychologists, ENT's, and others in the medical profession to try and figure out what was my problem. I was at my wit's end when a friend whose father had recently resolved a similar saga, referred me to Dr. Thornton for the Thornton Adjustable Positioner, TAP. I made an appointment to see Dr. Thornton and thirty days later I had a new life. Wearing the TAP at night was the only therapy I needed, and a month later that simple process reversed 28 years of pain and suffering. Without Dr. Thornton and the TAP, I may not have been here today.

John Morrison
Texas
June 11, 2000

I have just been measured for a Thornton Adjustable Positioner, or TAP dental appliance for short. I am fortunate to live about 20 miles from Dr. Keith Thornton's Dallas office. So, it was a real pleasure to have my consultation and fitting by Dr. Thornton.

My family dentist noticed evidence of teeth grinding. While discussing my diagnosis of mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring, he recommended that I consult with Dr. Thornton. He had great praise for his work and his national reputation. At this point in my apnea problem I had already been through a sleep study, tried a CPAP with three different masks, and was considering somnoplasty. Now that I needed to protect my teeth from grinding, the dental appliance sounded like something that would help solve both problems.

Actually, the teeth grinding is related to the apnea. You might ask (as I did), how could someone who sleeps with his jaw open in a snoring position be grinding his teeth? Dr. Thornton explained that the grinding probably takes place when awakening with each apnea event. As one is startled awake it is almost a fight or flight reaction to not breathing. At that point I clench my teeth with great force and awaken. So, ask your dental hygienist or dentist to look for signs of grinding on your teeth. You might be damaging your teeth too.

I am pleased to report that Dr. Thornton is a man who is excited about the device he developed and the continuing research in which he is engaged. I am very optimistic and look forward to getting delivery of my appliance in mid-July after I return from vacation.

I will keep you posted on my progress.