Mouthguards in dentistry: Current recommendations for dentists

Abstract

Properly fitted mouthguards reduce the risk and severity of orofacial injury, to both hard and soft tissues, preventing thousands of dollars of trauma management. In this review, findings from recent research will be evaluated to discuss the strengths and limitations of the different types of mouthguards, including their indications by sport. Design, ideal dimensions, and other characteristics will also be explored. Additionally, patient education and motivation will be examined, with a focus on the dentist’s role in this regard. Finally, in addition to proper oral hygiene, the importance of proper mouthguard maintenance and evaluation will be discussed. This review will therefore be able to act as a guide for dentists looking to provide patients of all ages with personal protective equipment and stay up‐to‐date on recent developments in this branch of the sports dentistry field.

Effect of different custom-made mouthguard palatal extensions on the stress-state of dentoalveolar: a 3D-FEA

“…[3,4,23] Custom-made MGs are personalized by professional dentists according to the individual's dentition shape, thus, they are tighter and are the type most often used in mainstream at present. [3,4,23] So, for custom-made MGs, the design of the palatal edge can be more aggressive. For the NP group, although a satisfactory protective effect on the teeth was obtained in this experiment, the partial absence of the palatal structure directly destroys the overall tightness and also may affect the retention effect, which requires further veri cation in subsequent experiments.…”

“…The protective effect of MGs on teeth and periodontal soft and hard tissues has been widely recognized and it is viewed as an important device for preventing sports injuries. [3,12,[22][23][24] MG material and thickness are important factors affecting its protective performance and comfort performance. [25][26][27] Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a type of copolymer foam material known for its excellent shock resistance, good biocompatibility and the advantages of easy molding of thermoplastic.…”

“…To ensure the protective effect of the MG, it is generally recommended that the labial, palatal and posterior borders, a relatively large area, needs to be extended as much as possible during manufacture of the MG. MG is an elastic device that needs to be worn inside the mouth. [3,4,22,23] The excessive volume often causes the user to experience foreign body sensation; discomfort in breathing, swallowing and pronunciation; and TMJ fatigue. [7][8][9]29] Therefore, it seems that balancing the protective effect and comfort of the MG are particularly important.…”

Basic research to propose a new design of laminated mouthguard—Effect of lamination order on thickness

“…Custom‐made mouthguards which are produced by taking an impression at a dental office are the recommended ones to use. The major advantages in using a mouthguard manufactured by the dentist instead of stock devices are the decreased stresses on the mandibular condyle and articular disk, 13 the prevention of trauma to the skull, teeth, and jaws during at‐risk activities of impact, 14 and being properly fitted to the patient's mouth 15 . Custom‐made mouthguards can be fabricated using thermoforming techniques such as a vacuum‐forming technique or a pressure‐forming technique 16,17…”

“…The major advantages in using a mouthguard manufactured by the dentist instead of stock devices are the decreased stresses on the mandibular condyle and articular disk, 13 the prevention of trauma to the skull, teeth, and jaws during at-risk activities of impact, 14 and being properly fitted to the patient's mouth. 15 Custom-made mouthguards can be fabricated using thermoforming techniques such as a vacuum-forming technique or a pressure-forming technique. 16,17 The vacuum-forming technique is easy to perform but results in a final product that has uneven thickness.…”