Analysis of factors determining athletes’ choice of the type of mouthguard

Abstract

Introduction. The application of flexible occlusal splints in therapy of the stomatognatic system is recommended for short-term use only because of the risk of muscle overloading or occlusal plane disorders. Mouthguards used in prevention of head and mouth injuries are a modification of occlusal splints. They are made of flexible material with properties enabling absorption of impact energy. Due to regular use during trainings and competitions they may have an impact on the incidence of stomatognatic system ailments. Aim of the study. To assess the factors determining the choice of a mouthguard type and its influence on the stomatognatic system. Material and methods. A survey was conducted among 1279 mouthguard users to collect demographic data and information concerning mouthguards on the occurrence of problems arising from their use including pain in the area of the stomatognatic system. Statistical analysis of the results was also performed. Results. 36% athletes with standard mouthguards, 37% with “boil and bite” and 44% with custom-made ones have a tendency towards strong clenching of dental arches. Participants using a custom-made mouthguard reported chewing muscle fatigue more often than the users of the standard and “boil and bite” type, but they did not report any pain located in the area of temporomandibular joint. People experiencing fatigue and with a strong clenching of dental arches tendency significantly more often choose a type considering its retention ability, whereas pain in the temporomandibular joint area does not influence their preferences. Athletes, who declare teeth clenching, more frequently indicate the retention factor as important. Conclusion. It is necessary to conduct further research on the use of mouthguards considering their impact on the stomatognatic system.

Comfort and wearability properties of custom‐made and boil‐and‐bite mouthguards among basketball players: A randomized parallel arm clinical trial

“…These can also be softened with heat and then molded to provide a comfortable fit. However, previous research has raised concerns about the fit and stability of B&B MGs [28][29][30][31] and their reduced protective effectiveness over time due to thinning. 21,29,50 Other studies have indicated that B&B MGs may hinder ventilation.…”

“…Consistent with previous studies, this research employed a 10point VAS to evaluate various parameters. 40,60,62,65,68 While some studies in medical and dental research use VAS scales with more than five points, 29,31 studies on MGs have indicated that a 5-point VAS scale can provide more accurate results. In comparing these studies, it was evident that CM MGs, including injection-type CM MGs, were superior to B&B MGs, 29 even when using different statistical tests.…”

“…In comparing these studies, it was evident that CM MGs, including injection-type CM MGs, were superior to B&B MGs, 29 even when using different statistical tests. 62 In some investigations, athletes from different sports were individually assigned specific MG types to use, 28,30,31,60,62,65 which allows for a larger number of participants. However, these studies were often performed in a very short period of MG use, and it cannot be assumed that participants from various sports will react similarly to MGs, which may lead to debatable results.…”

“…27 However, there are ongoing discussions regarding the trade-off between increased thickness and occlusal accommodation and the athlete's comfort when using mouthguards, as thicker mouthguards may hinder speech and breathing, potentially leading to athletes' reluctance in using them. 21,[28][29][30][31][32] Although professional dental organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 33 the American Dental Association, 34 and the Academy of Sports Dentistry 35 recommend the use of CM MGs, the absence of national-level regulatory mandates mandating their use contributes to the limited prevalence of MG usage. 1 Although numerous in vitro 26,27,36 and clinical studies [28][29][30] have been conducted, particularly on stock and CM MGs, research on B&B MGs remains limited.…”

Influence of “boil and bite” mouthguards usage by mixed martial arts athletes on the stomatognatic system

“…Nowadays, customized mouthguards are made from a variety of polymeric materials, using thermoforming, traditional polymerization, and thermal injection techniques. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] However, according to the literature, the most used type is a "boil and bite" mouthguard. There are standard splints, adapted by the athlete directly in the oral cavity after its plasticization using hot water.…”