[Materials for mouth protectors]

Rev Belge Med Dent (1984). 2003;58(1):21-33.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Taking into account the number of teeth which are yearly irreversible traumatised during sport activities, the general use of mouthguards would contribute positively to the prevention of dental injuries. Custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable to wear and offer better retention and protection than stock and mouth-formed mouthguards. Different kinds of materials are available on the market for the construction of mouthguards. A polyethylene-polyvinylacetate copolymer (EVA) is the most suitable material. EVA allows the inclusion of hard or soft layers within the mouthguard. The thickness of a mouthguard is important for the reduction of applied forces to teeth: energy absorption capacity increases with material thickness. Increased thickness however, is associated with a reduction of comfort. Therefore, it is important that dentists take the patients' wishes and demands on both comfort and protection into consideration. A description of the clinical and technical method for the construction of a custom made mouthguard is given.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Acrylic Resins
  • Compressive Strength
  • Dental Materials*
  • Dental Stress Analysis
  • Elasticity
  • Equipment Design
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Maxillofacial Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Mouth Protectors*
  • Polyethylenes
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Polyvinyls
  • Rubber
  • Silicones
  • Tooth Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Water

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Dental Materials
  • Polyethylenes
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Polyvinyls
  • Silicones
  • polyethylene-polyvinylacetate copolymer
  • Water
  • polyvinyl acetate
  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Rubber