Difference in vacuum-formed mouthguard thickness according to heating condition

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Sports Dentistry

Background:

• Vacuum-formed mouthguards are crucial for protecting athletes' teeth.
• Mouthguard thickness directly impacts its protective efficacy.
• Optimizing fabrication processes, like heating conditions, is key to achieving desired mouthguard properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different heating conditions affect the thickness of vacuum-formed mouthguards.
• To determine the optimal heating parameters for ethylene vinyl acetate mouthguard sheets within a proper temperature range.

Main Methods:

• Mouthguard sheets (3.8-mm ethylene vinyl acetate) were vacuum-formed.
• Three heating conditions were tested, defined by center displacement (10, 15, 20 mm).
• Thickness was measured at the labial surface of the central incisor, buccal surface of the first molar, and occlusal surface of the first molar.

Main Results:

• Mouthguard thickness varied significantly across different regions (P < 0.01).
• The incisal (cusp) region was consistently thinner than the cervical region.
• Increased heating (20 mm displacement) resulted in greater thickness at the buccal surface of the first molar (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Heating the mouthguard sheet until a 20 mm center displacement is the optimal condition for fabrication.
• This heating condition ensures adequate thickness, particularly at critical areas like the buccal surface of the first molar.
• Understanding these heating parameters is essential for producing effective vacuum-formed mouthguards.