Mouthguard types
A properly made mouthguard must:
- Hold the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks away from the teeth, so that lacerations and contusions of the soft tissue during impact can be avoided.
- Cushion the anterior teeth and redistribute the forces from a direct frontal blow.
- Fill the space of missing teeth.
- Help prevent neurological injury by separating the condyles from the base of the skull during impact, reducing intra-cranial pressure and bone deformation.
- Help prevent neck injury.
- Prevent opposing teeth from coming in violent contact, reducing the risk of tooth fracture and supporting structures.
- Provide support to the mandible by absorbing the forces of impact.
- Provide the athlete with the confidence that they are less likely to sustain injuries, thus giving them the competitive edge for aggressive competition.
Unfortunately, the word "mouthguard" is universal and generic, and includes a large range and variety of products, from "over the counter" models bought at the sporting goods stores to professionally manufactured and dental professional prescribed custom made mouthguards.
Presently, over 90% of the mouthguards worn are of the variety bought at sporting good stores. The other 10% are of the custom made variety diagnosed and designed by a health professional (dental professional and/or athletic trainer).
Mouthguards can be classified into four types: types I, II, III, IV.
Type I: STOCK
- available at sporting good retailers
- limited sizes
- no alterations to meet special needs
- uncomfortable
- interfere with speech and breathing
- become dislodged at impact
Type II: BOIL & BITE
- available at sporting good retailers
- partial forming to the athletes teeth after boiling
- distorts at normal body temperatures therefore reducing retention
- thickness of the material varies therfore offering inadequate protection
Type III: CUSTOM VACUUM FORMED
- provided by some dentists
- formed under low heat and one atmosphere of vacuum
- varying thickness offers reduced protection against concussions
- become loose over time
Type IV: PRESSURE LAMINATED CUSTOM MADE (like the MaxxgardTM)
- fabricated in a special heat/pressure lamination machine
- constructed from several layers of ethylvinyl acetate
- dentist supervised impressions of dentition
- maintains its fit and protective thickness over prolonged periods of time.
| | Stock | Boil and Bite | Single layer vacuum | MaxxgardTM |
| Comfort | - | - |  |  |
| Retention | - | - | | |
| Ease in breathing | - | - | | |
| Ease of speech | - | - | | |
| Protection | - | |  | |
| Hold form | - | - | | |
Prevention of
gagging effect | - | - | | |
Reduced risk
of concussion | - | - | | |
| Compliance | - | - | | |
|
