The effect of light‐cured resin with a glass fiber net as an intermediate material for Hard & Space mouthguard

Abstract

Background/Aims: Despite the use of conventional mouthguards, preventable sports-related dental injuries continue to occur. The authors have developed a twolayered ethylene polyvinyl acetate (EVA) mouthguard with a hard polyethylene terephthalate (PET) insert and a buffer space (H&SMG). However, adapting the PET onto the EVA layer requires skill. A light-cured Splint Resin (SRLC) and a glass fiber net (NET) reinforcement appear to resolve this issue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SRLC with NET could replace PET and find a more practical application for NET. Materials and Methods: A pendulum impact testing machine and a dental model with strain gages were used. Six types of mouthguards were made: one with two laminated EVA blanks (LAM-MG), a three-layer type with a PET insert and an intermediate space (PET-H&SMG), a H&SMG with SRLC insert (LC-H&SMG), and three other types with differential NET-SRLC reinforcement; NET on the outer surface of SRLC, NET on the inner surface of SRLC, and NET on both the outer and inner surfaces. Five mouthguards of each type were fabricated and tested ten times with impact distances of 15 and 30 cm. Forty more impacts were applied to all H&SMGs to confirm the durability of the hard inner layer. Results: All H&SMGs showed significant strain reduction compared to the LAM-MG. PET-H&SMG and the four types of LC-H&SMG exhibited an equally slight strain (approximately 95% shock absorbing ability) in all conditions. During the test against the smaller impact, all H&SMGs showed no cracks. When tested against the stronger impact, only the LC-H&SMG with the reinforced inner surface, the double NETreinforced LC-H&SMG, and the PET-H&SMG remained intact. Conclusion: The NET-reinforced SRLC can replace PET as an intermediate mouthguard material. The NET application, at least on the internal surface, is indispensable for the LC-H&SMG reinforcement.

Biomechanical Analysis of a Custom-Made Mouthguard Reinforced With Different Elastic Modulus Laminates During a Simulated Maxillofacial Trauma

“…Another investigation 14 reported that some reinforcements could present fracture during impact. This is especially concerning for the high elastic modulus groups, when brittle materials could be used.…”

“…In vitro studies which evaluate the performance of mouthguards generally use pendulum devices in which a jaw is simulated in metal or resin and receives a solid body impact, then a strain gauge can check the displacement of the assembly. 14,15 However, other studies have used a numerical analysis which enables visualizing the regions with the highest stress concentration during the impact, thus the dental structure can be analyzed individually, discretizing the results in the dentin, enamel and bone. 4,6,8,16…”

Mouthguard Use Effect on the Biomechanical Response of an Ankylosed Maxillary Central Incisor during a Traumatic Impact: A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

“…However, the results are valid since the limitations are common among the groups and the proportionality observed in the results could possibly be repeated if these conditions were included in further simulations. Different methods can also be applicable to study the mouthguards’ performance, as the pendulum impact [ 38 ], since it can serve as complement for further studies regarding the different mouthguard thickness and types.…”

Modeling the Contact Interaction of a Pair of Antagonist Teeth through Individual Protective Mouthguards of Different Geometric Configuration

“…The work is aimed at a number of factors [ 28 , 29 ]: materials, production methods, and geometry, etc. The assumption is considered that by introducing an intermediate layer made of a harder material into a structure, it is possible to achieve a better effect in protecting the teeth [ 16 , 29 , 30 ]. The intermediate interlayer of A-silicone in mouthguards made it possible to maximally reduce the stress intensity of the teeth by 87.6%, as shown in this work.…”

“…One of the most common materials in mouthguards is the EVA polymer [ 28 ]. Currently, there is a significant amount of research devoted to the analysis of the properties of EVA from different manufacturers [ 29 , 30 ]. The behavior EVA model is nonlinear and reflects elastoplastic deformation.…”