Pressure-forming method using a single-mouthguard sheet.

Abstract

Mouthguard thickness is important for the prevention of orofacial trauma during sports. However, it is difficult to maintain the necessary thickness after forming the mouthguard. The aim of this study was to evaluate a pressure-forming method using a single-mouthguard sheet. A mouthguard sheet of 3.8mm ethylene vinyl acetate was prepared by cutting 3mm from the anterior margin of the sheet holder with a length of 7mm and with the width being from the buccal cusp of the upper right first premolar to the buccal cusp of the upper left first premolar and compared with the original sheet. The sheets were pressure-formed when the sheet was heated until the centre was displaced by 15mm from baseline. The thickness of the mouthguard was measured at the labial surface of the central incisor, and the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar. The fit of the mouthguard was examined at the right central incisor and right first molar by measuring the distance between the mouthguard and the cervical margin of the working model. Differences in the thickness and the fit of the mouthguards between the sheet conditions and the measured regions were analysed by two-way analysis of variance. Mouthguard thickness varied among the measured regions of the central incisors and first molars (P<.01). The greatest thickness was found at the labial surface of the central incisor in mouthguards fabricated using the cut sheet (P<.01). Mouthguard fit did not differ between the two sheets. The results suggest that a useful mouthguard with proper thickness and fit can be produced with the pressure-forming method using a single-mouthguard sheet by cutting the anterior part of the sheet.