Sports Dentistry Research Articles

Impact Absorption Power of Polyolefin Fused Filament Fabrication 3D-Printed Sports Mouthguards: InVitro Study.

This study aims to evaluate and compare the impact absorption capacities of thermoformed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) mouthguards and 3D-printed polyolefin mouthguards used in sports dentistry applications. The objective is to determine whether 3D-printed polyolefin mouthguards offer superior impact toughness compared to traditional EVA mouthguards commonly used in sports settings. Six material samples were assessed: five pressure-formed EVA mouthguards (PolyShok, Buffalo Dental, Erkoflex, Proform, and Drufosoft) and one 3D-printed synthetic polymer (polyolefin). The materials were evaluated using a modified American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D256 Test Method A for Izod pendulum impact resistance of plastics. Polyolefin samples were 3D-printed using fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. Notably, the FFF process included samples printed with notches placed either parallel or perpendicular to the build direction. This orientation served as a study factor, allowing for comparison of material behavior under different printing conditions. Impact testing was conducted using an Izod impact tester to assess the materials' performance under controlled impact conditions. The study achieved a high power (1.0) in power analysis, indicating strong sensitivity to detect significant differences. Among molded materials, PolyShok showed significantly lower impact toughness compared to others (p = 0.06). The mean impact absorption of EVA materials was 5.4 ± 0.3 kJ/m2, significantly lower than polyolefin materials, which demonstrated 12.9 ± 0.7 kJ/m2 and superior performance (p = 0.0). Horizontal-notched polyolefin samples exhibited higher impact strength compared to vertical-notched samples (p = 0.009). 3D-printed polyolefin mouthguards exhibited significantly higher impact toughness than thermoformed EVA mouthguards. While EVA materials demonstrated structural robustness, their lower impact resistance and observed tearing in other test specimens suggest the need for alternative testing standards to better reflect real-world conditions. 3D-printed mouthguards fabricated with build orientations perpendicular to the direction of impact demonstrate significantly enhanced impact absorption. Further research into manufacturing methods and testing protocols is recommended to optimize mouthguard performance under impact scenarios.

The mouthguard for sports is capable of protecting the implant/crown complex when there is a frontal impact? Responding with finite element analisys

For athletes, the use of a mouthguard is fundamental. This device allows for the absorption and dissipation of energy from the impact. These rehabilitated patients will be subjected to oral-facial injuries and trauma again once they return to contact sports. Evaluate the mechanical effect of an impact over a maxilla region where implant-abutment-crown are present, and this mechanical behavior will be analyzed through the evaluation of maximum stress distributions. A three-dimensional geometry of an implant system (implant-abutment-crown and the bone) was obtained from computed tomography and transformed into separate meshes. A mouthguard was created to cover the surface, and a steel ball with a velocity of 1 m/s was used as the impact object. The results were divided into the individual analysis of the stress generated on each variable studied. The mouthguard was capable of reducing the stress on the implant by 71.81%, stress on the abutment by 73.20%, on both pieces by 74.30%, as well as reducing the impact on the prosthetic crown by 98.32%, thus preventing its fracture. A mouthguard is capable of reducing stress on the implant-abutment-crown complex and bone cortex. Clinical implications The present data contribute to the specialties of Sports Dentistry and Implantology, offering scientific evidence of the importance of a mouthguard to provide the best protection for athletes rehabilitated with dental implants.

Safeguarding Athletes' Smiles: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventive Measures and Dental Traumatology in Sports Dentistry

Safeguarding Athletes' Smiles: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventive Measures and Dental Traumatology in Sports Dentistry

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 4: Faceshields for the prevention of dental and oral trauma.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 8: ToothSOS app.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 3: Mouthguards for the prevention of dental and oral trauma.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 9: Role of dental professionals.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 9: Role of dental professionals.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 6: Education.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 10: First aid education.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 1: General introduction.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 2: Primary prevention of dental trauma across the life course.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 7: Orthodontics for the prevention of dental and oral trauma.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 7: Orthodontics for the prevention of dental and oral trauma.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries: Part 5: Secondary prevention of dental injuries.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD).

The importance of the dentist in paralympic sports

Sports dentistry aims to promote health, improve performance and prevent injuries in athletes. It is necessary for the dental surgeon to participate in the routine of athletes from the youth categories, including athletes with intellectual, physical and visual disabilities, this group presents several changes in the oral cavity because of their limitations. The participation of the Brazilian team in the Paralympic Games since 1972, became essential to evaluate oral health problems in these athletes and rehabilitate them, providing better results in competitions. Methodology: 20 articles were selected between 2005 and 2021, indexed in the Pubmed, scholar and lilacs database, using the descriptors ‘’Dentistry”, “Oral health”, “Sports Medicine”, “Disabled Persons” and “Sports for Persons with Disabilities”. Oral injuries in Brazilian para-athletes, bruxism, mouth breathing and recurrent oral herpes lesions are the most frequent problems and can negatively affect the performance of these athletes. There is a high need dental care practices for patients with special needs at the University Dentistry. There was a significant need for attention and dental treatment for athletes with intellectual disabilities, and it is important to invest in strategies that promote self-care in order to improve daily hygiene. It is necessary for dental surgeons to work in Paralympic sports, meeting the individual needs of athletes with access to quality oral health and adequate monitoring, in order to improve performance and avoid complications that affect the quality of sports practice. The objective for this article is review the literature on the importance of dental surgeons in Paralympic sports.

Effects of oral health problems in athletic performance

The study was a review of articles relating to the effects of oral disease as they create potential challenges in overall health and performance, especially in elite athletes. The authors searched articles on sports dentistry, elite athleticism, the prevalence of oral diseases among athletes, as well as physiological debilitation on movement secondary to oral health issues in general. Data were then categorized into sections related to varying types of oral diseases, and their effects on performance both in competitive sports as well as in day-to-day functioning. The use of protective equipment and salivary diagnostics for utilization in the prevention of disease were also included in the review. A total of 76 articles were selected for use in the paper. It is well-documented that common oral conditions such as caries, periodontal diseases, dental erosion, malocclusion, temporomandibular joint disorders, stress and immune suppression, poor nutrition, and injuries of various types can have deleterious effects on athleticism and can create untoward physiological challenges. Protective sports equipment and the care of such is also important to consider. Athletes should know the risks associated with activities particular to their various fields of interest and need to direct adequate attention to their personal oral health status. Negative effects of poor oral health on physical fitness, performance, and cognitive function have been noted in many scholarly articles, yet the majority of athletes have limited education and training in such matters. Maintaining good fitness also requires striving for optimal, oral health, which includes proper professional diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.

Bird's-eye view of prevalence, mechanism of injury, and prevention of sports-related orofacial injuries in basketball game

Sports-associated orofacial trauma causes negative sequelae in an athlete. To prevent this, we must closely assess the mechanism as well as the available literature regarding the prevalence. It is easier to apply knowledge of sports dentistry if the injury mechanism, types of injury, and management are known. Every single game is accompanied by its own set of injuries. Basketball is a dynamic game. Athletes involved in this game are at high risk of orofacial injuries. The preventive aspect is often a blind spot, especially in Indian Sports. This review gives a bird's-eye view of the type of orofacial trauma and prevention in athletes playing basketball game.

Oro-dental trauma burden and mouthguard usage among contact sports players: A call for sports dentistry initiatives in Sri Lanka.

Contact sports-related oro-dental trauma contributes to a significant proportion of sports injuries among school children. Oro-dental trauma imposes a detrimental impact on the oral health-related quality of life. However, the burden of oro-dental trauma among contact sports players and their practices of mouthguards remains a research gap in Sri Lanka. The current study bridges that while providing evidence for contextual changes such as initiating sports dentistry. The study was conducted among 1340 adolescent contact sports players in Colombo district, Sri Lanka; 63.1% males and 36.9% females (age 13-18), who were enrolled in football, rugby, hockey, boxing, basketball, and martial arts in the school setting. A checklist was administered to obtain demographic information, sports practices, and the use of mouthguards. An oral examination was conducted for those who experienced oro-dental trauma during the last 12 months. Self-reported oro-dental trauma pooled prevalence of the contact sports players was 35.9% (95% CI = 33.3-38.5), with males' preponderance. Dental trauma was present in 23.8% (n = 319), while 15.8% were uncomplicated and 8% were complicated. Soft tissue injuries were present in 12.1% (n = 162). Oro dental trauma (ODT) was highly prevalent among boxing, rugby, and hockey players. Only 20.8% (n = 279) of players used mouthguards. However, 91.0% (n = 254) of them were using ready-made mouthguards. Mouthguard use and the type of mouthguard showed statistically significant associations across the type of oro-dental trauma among contact sports players. Contact sports-related oro-dental trauma prevalence is as high as 35.9% among Colombo district school children in Sri Lanka. However, their level of mouthguard usage is shallow at 20.8%. Further research is necessary to investigate the reasons behind this, and national guidelines should be developed to prevent and manage sports-related accidental injuries.

Mouthguards in Sports Dentistry: A Review

Sports dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the prevention and treatment of sports-related orofacial injuries. These injuries can range from minor, such as tooth luxation, to severe, such as facial bone fractures and concussions. The most important way to prevent sports-related dental injuries is to wear a mouthguard. Dentists play a vital role in managing dentofacial injuries due to sports. Thus, sports dentistry is an important field that can help athletes of all ages and skill levels enjoy their activities safely. By taking steps to prevent sports-related dental injuries, athletes can protect their teeth, gums, and overall health. Sports dentistry can help to reduce the cost of dental care in the long term.

DENTAL EROSION IN MARATHON ATHLETES: a literature review

The aim of this study is to bring a discussion about dental erosion in marathon athletes. To be able to explore the prevalence of dental erosion and its characteristics. In addition, analyzing the athletes diet and their routine in dealing with erosion, suggesting actions adopted by dentists in the practice of neutralizing dental erosion and providing guidance to patients who are marathon athletes. The methodology that was used in this study was a narrative literature review. It is evident that athletes are often considered to be highly healthy beings, however, when their oral health is analyzed it is considered to be downfalling. For athletes to perform perfectly well in their activities, in addition to their physical health, there needs to be routine monitoring with a multidisciplinary team, which should include a dentist specialized in Sports Dentistry. This way, complications and dental pain will not interfere with their running performance. When starting a race, it is essential to stay hydrated, and sports drinks are capable of replacing salts and body fluids that were eliminated through sweat, in addition to promoting muscular energy. Dental erosion is diagnosed when the surface of the tooth suffers frequent and prolonged exposure to acidic elements such as citrus fruits, reflux, coffee, soft drinks and sports drinks. Isotonic drinks have an average hydrogen potential (pH) of 2, becoming highly erosive to the tooth enamel. It has yet not been found in research a way to replace the isotonic drink with another, less acetic sports drink. It is necessary for the dentist to have an understanding about the pathology to be able to act with preventive measures, treatment methods and a diagnosis. Patients who are athletes must be aware and willing to be a good collaborator so that together with the dental professional they can complete the treatment with success.

A suggested universal protocol for dental examination in sports.

The athletes of any sport and level submit their bodies to constant exercise. Any given pathology can increase the risk of injury, illness, or even reduced performance. The medical examination is valuable in diagnosing existing health problems and preventing medical issues that might compromise the athlete's overall health when exercising. The stomatognathic system is not an exemption, as oral pathologies, including dental caries and periodontal diseases, are found in high incidence in sports. The need for accurate and detailed dental examination in sports leaded dentists from the European Association for Sports Dentistry and the Academy for Sports Dentistry to elaborate a universal dental examination in sports protocol that can record the overall oral health of the athlete, including the teeth, periodontium, and musculoskeletal screening, for all athletes. The outcome of this stomatognathic examination allows sports physicians and professionals other than dentists to have a complete image of the individual oral health condition of any given athlete, and it allows the dentists to efficiently screen and prevent pathologies, as well as to advise on the eligibility to practice sports from the oral health perspective.