Understanding and application of mouthguards

Cho, Sung-Hun; Kim, Hee-Jung; Song, Joo-Hun

doi:2023.61.2.131

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 61(2); 2023 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2023;61(2):131-138.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2023.61.2.004 Published online January 31, 2023.

마우스가드의 이해 및 활용

조성현

, 김희중

, 송주헌

조선대학교 치과대학 치과보철학교실

Understanding and application of mouthguards

Sung-Hun Cho

, Hee-Jung Kim

, Joo-Hun Song

Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chosun University

Correspondence: Joo-Hun Song, Tel: +82-10-9288-1434,
Email: jhun2020@chosun.ac.kr

Received: 5 November 2022 • Revised: 22 November 2022 • Accepted: 11 January 2023

Abstract

Mouthguards are removable devices that reduce the risk of injuries in the oral and maxillofacial areas from sports activities and trauma. Mouthguards can be roughly divided into three types: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom. While all three types offer some degree of protection from injuries, custom mouthguards show superior adaptation and shock absorption. Various types of materials have been used and evaluated for their performance, and currently vacuum forming mouthguards with ethylene vinyl acetate material is the main way of fabrication. These mouthguards require regular hygiene maintenance before and after wearing and periodic evaluation from dentists.

Key Words: mouthguard; ethylene vinyl acetate; Oral maxillofacial injury; impact force