title: An improved mouthguard material.
abstract: A modified mouthguard material which reduces transmitted forces is described. Tests showed that the inclusion of air cells in a 4 mm thick polyvinyl-acetate-polyethylene (EVA) copolymer reduced the effects of impacts of less than 10 kN when compared with a material of the same EVA composition and thickness. The EVA copolymer with air-inclusions is suitable for the construction of stock mouth-formed and vacuum-formed mouthguards. The improved elastic properties of the modified mouthguard material reduced transmitted forces by 32 per cent when compared with traditional EVA mouthguard polymers of the same thickness.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Westerman
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Stringfellow
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eccleston
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D008422:Materials Testing; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014618:Vacuum
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011145:Polyvinyls; C013215:polyvinyl acetate