Mouthguards: an easy-to-fabricate element of practice preventive programmes.

Abstract

Mouthguards reduce the prevalence of dental injuries in contact sports. All types are effective, but those which are closely adapted to the teeth are the best retained, most comfortable, and therefore best accepted by sports people. Closely fitting mouthguards can be directly adapted in the mouth or laboratory-made on a stone model of the dental arch. The mouth-formed types can be fitted without professional supervision, but the procedure is often more successful if undertaken or supervised by a dental professional. The mouth forming procedure is quick and involves little material cost compared to the laboratory-made type. These savings can be passed on to patients in the form of lower fees which should encourage the widespread acceptance of mouthguards as a cost-effective preventive measure. Professionally fitted laboratory-made mouthguards are particularly suitable for high risk activities such as boxing, where more specialised protection such as a bimaxillary guard is indicated.