The influence of impact object characteristics on impact force and force absorption by mouthguard material

Abstract

Most impact force and impact energy absorption tests for mouthguards have used a steel ball in a drop-ball or the pendulum device. However, in reality most sports-related trauma is caused by objects other than the steel ball, e.g. various sized balls, hockey puck, or bat or stick. Also, the elasticity, the velocity and the mass of the object could change the degree and the extent of injuries. In this study, we attempted to measure the impact force from actual sports equipment in order to clarify the exact mechanism of dental-related sports injuries and the protective effects of mouthguards. The present study was conducted using the pendulum impact device and load cell. Impact objects were removable. Seven mobile impact objects were selected for testing: a steel ball, baseball, softball, field hockey ball, ice hockey puck, cricket ball, and wooden baseball bat. The mouthguard material used in this study was a 3-mm-thick Drufosoft (Dreve-Dentamid GmbH, Unna, Germany), and test samples were made of the one-layer type. The peak transmitted forces without mouthguard ranged from the smallest (ice hockey stick, 46.9 kgf) to the biggest (steel ball, 481.6 kgf). The peak transmitted forces were smaller when the mouthguard was attached than without it for all impact materials but the effect was significantly influenced by the object type. The steel ball showed the biggest (62.1%) absorption ability while the wooden bat showed the second biggest (38.3%). The other balls or the puck showed from 0.6 to 6.0% absorbency. These results show that it is important to test the effectiveness of mouthguards on specific types of sports equipment. In future, we may select different materials and mouthguard designs suitable for specific sports.

Combined analysis of shock absorption capability and force dispersion effect of mouthguard materials with different impact objects

“…In another study, it was mentioned that it is realistic and appropriate to select more than one sensor type and impact object to assess the effectiveness of a mouthguard material 11) . Results of the present study agreed with the aforementioned claims of Takeda et al 11,20) . Sports that involve the use of sticks like ice hockey, field hockey, shinty, bandy, and hurling are good examples where impact objects are different from round types such as the hockey puck or ball.…”

“…In a study by Takeda et al, it was reported that while mouthguard materials were effective in reducing the impact force of any impact object, shock absorption ability depended on the object type 20) . In another study, it was mentioned that it is realistic and appropriate to select more than one sensor type and impact object to assess the effectiveness of a mouthguard material 11) .…”

“…In reality, sports-related trauma is not usually caused by ball-like or round objects, but by angulated, sharp, thin, or pointed objects such as hockey pucks, sticks used in field hockey, hurling, shinty, bandy, or ice hockey, or by players' fingers. A previous study has investigated the influence of an impact object's characteristics on impact force and the impact absorption ability of mouthguard materials 20) . However, this study 20) had numerous limitations: only one type of mouthguard material was investigated and most impact objects used were of a round shape.…”

“…A previous study has investigated the influence of an impact object's characteristics on impact force and the impact absorption ability of mouthguard materials 20) . However, this study 20) had numerous limitations: only one type of mouthguard material was investigated and most impact objects used were of a round shape. Many orofacial injuries were sustained during team sports such ice hockey (2.2-5.0%) which involved the use of sticks, hockey pucks, or by collision 21,22) , and shinty (4.8%) 23) .…”

Экспериментальное Исследование Материалов Новой Конструкции Спортивной Зубной Шины

“…Интерес к экспериментальному исследованию воздействия на органы и ткани челюстно-лицевой области при использовании спортивных капп проявляли многие авторы [15,16,18,19]. Так, в работе [14] произведён биомеханический анализ напряженно-деформированного состояния зуба при взаимодействии с мячом, движущимся со скоростью 1 м/с.…”