Variations in mouthguard thickness according to fabrication method

Area of Science:

• Sports Dentistry
• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Technology

Background:

• Mouthguards are crucial for preventing dental injuries in sports.
• The fabrication method can influence mouthguard thickness and protective qualities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare mouthguard thickness based on different sheet forming methods.
• To identify how vacuum-forming, vacuum-pressure-forming, and pressure-forming affect mouthguard dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Used 3.8-mm ethylene vinyl acetate sheets.
• Employed vacuum-forming, vacuum-pressure-forming, and pressure-forming techniques.
• Measured thickness at incisor and molar regions, analyzing differences using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests.

Main Results:

• Mouthguard thickness varied significantly across different regions (incisor, molar) and forming methods (P < 0.01).
• Incisal regions were thinner than cervical regions.
• Vacuum-forming resulted in thinner mouthguards compared to vacuum-pressure-forming (P < 0.05), particularly at the anterior teeth.

Conclusions:

• Mouthguard thickness at anterior teeth is influenced by the forming method.
• Choosing the appropriate mouthguard fabrication technique is critical for effective protection.