title: [Materials for mouth protectors].
abstract: Taking into account the number of teeth which are yearly irreversible traumatised during sport activities, the general use of mouthguards would contribute positively to the prevention of dental injuries. Custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable to wear and offer better retention and protection than stock and mouth-formed mouthguards. Different kinds of materials are available on the market for the construction of mouthguards. A polyethylene-polyvinylacetate copolymer (EVA) is the most suitable material. EVA allows the inclusion of hard or soft layers within the mouthguard. The thickness of a mouthguard is important for the reduction of applied forces to teeth: energy absorption capacity increases with material thickness. Increased thickness however, is associated with a reduction of comfort. Therefore, it is important that dentists take the patients' wishes and demands on both comfort and protection into consideration. A description of the clinical and technical method for the construction of a custom made mouthguard is given.
authors.affiliation: Département de Prothèse amovible, Unité COPR, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie Eenheid COPR (Uitneembare Prothetiek) Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Kloeg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Collys
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003764:Dental Materials; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012408:Rubber; D012828:Silicones; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012828:Silicones; C477722:polyethylene-polyvinylacetate copolymer; D014867:Water; C013215:polyvinyl acetate; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012408:Rubber