Difference in pressure-formed mouthguard thickness according to heating condition

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Mouthguards are crucial for protecting teeth during sports.
• Pressure forming is a common method for fabricating custom mouthguards.
• Optimizing heating conditions is essential for achieving desired mouthguard thickness and fit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different heating conditions impact the thickness of pressure-formed mouthguards.
• To determine the optimal heating parameters for ethylene vinyl acetate mouthguard fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Mouthguard sheets (3.8mm ethylene vinyl acetate) were pressure-formed using a vacuum-pressure former.
• Three heating conditions were applied, defined by center displacement (10mm, 15mm, 20mm).
• Mouthguard thickness was measured at the labial central incisor, buccal first molar, and occlusal first molar.

Main Results:

• Mouthguard thickness varied significantly across different regions (P < 0.01), with incisal areas being thinner.
• Increased heating (20mm displacement) resulted in statistically significant thicker mouthguards at the labial central incisor (P < 0.05).
• No significant differences in thickness were observed at the buccal or occlusal surfaces of the first molar among heating conditions.

Conclusions:

• Heating conditions significantly influence mouthguard thickness, especially in the incisor region.
• Heating the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet to a 20mm center displacement is recommended for optimal mouthguard fabrication.
• These findings provide critical guidance for fabricating effective and well-fitting mouthguards.