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Improving mouth guards
J B Park1, K L Shaull, B Overton
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, College of Dentistry, Iowa City.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Optimizing mouth guard thickness and stiffness is key for better energy absorption and protection. A stiffer insert material that softens at higher temperatures could enhance mouth guard safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Mouth guards are crucial protective equipment in sports.
- Current mouth guards vary in material properties, affecting protection.
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer is a common material for mouth guards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and water-absorption properties of EVA materials for mouth guards.
- To determine the impact of thickness and stiffness on mouth guard performance.
- To propose an improved mouth guard design for enhanced protection.
Main Methods:
- Testing EVA copolymer materials with varying thickness and stiffness.
- Measuring material properties including mechanical strength, thermal behavior, and water absorption.
- Analyzing thickness changes before and after mouth guard fabrication (custom vs. boil-and-bite).
Main Results:
- Mouth guard fabrication significantly reduces material thickness (25-99%).
- Greater initial material thickness correlates with higher energy absorption capacity.
- Optimal occlusal thickness is critical for effective energy dissipation.
Conclusions:
- Material thickness reduction during fabrication impacts protective capabilities.
- A thicker mouth guard generally offers superior energy absorption.
- A proposed design incorporates a stiffer insert with a higher softening temperature for improved protection.