Preliminary Investigation of a Novel Mouthguard

Abstract

Background: Mouthguards (MGs) remain an important piece of personal protection for athletes for the prevention of injury. Although MGs provide tremendous benefts, the design and fabrication process does not record the position of the mandible or the occlusion, which could lead to injury. This study compared a novel MG to over‑the‑counter (OTC) and custom MGs on a skull model.

Methods: The OTC MG was formed as per manufacturer’s guidelines, the custom MG was laboratory fabricated, and the novel MG was fabricated through a proprietary process. Each group of the three MGs was
assessed for vertical dimension change, occlusal contacts, and condylar displacement.

Results: Average number of occlusal contacts for the OTC, custom and novel MG were 2.4, 4.0, and 10, respectively. There was a signifcant difference between all values (P < 0.05). Average change in vertical dimension for the OTC, custom, and novel MG were 15.3 mm, 9.3 mm, and 8.0 mm, respectively. The novel MG value was signifcantly different (P < 0.05). The average distance of condylar displacement for the OTC, custom and novel MG were 1.9 mm, 1.3 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: The novel MG was signifcantly different (P < 0.05). The data from this preliminary investigation suggests that the novel mouthguard had maximized occlusal contacts, minimized vertical dimension change and condylar displacement as compared to OTC and custom MGs.

Keywords: Occlusion, oral appliance, vertical dimension