The role of intraoral protective appliances in the reduction of mild traumatic brain injury.
Intraoral appliances (mouthguards) have long been used and mandated for several sports, with good results on the reduction of dentition injury. Recently claims have arisen that mouthguards prevent brain injury. This article reviews the data on such claims, the basic science that has been conducted, and how an intraoral appliance may in the future become part of an engineered system to reduce transfer of energy from impacts to specific locations on the head, in an effort to mitigate some types of mild traumatic brain injury.
Sports Biomechanics Impact Research Lab, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
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Halstead
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control