title: Comparative evaluation of custom and standard boil and bite (self-adapted) mouthguards and their effect on the functioning of the oral cavity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mouthguards provide an effective preventive method against the effects of injuries sustained during sports activities, in particular cycling, football, basketball, skiing or hockey. However, when placed in the oral cavity, they can induce disorders in basic physiological functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this clinical study was to compare the effects of various custom mouthguards with generally available standard boil and bite mouthguards on the functions of the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of a 168 mouthguards (five custom and three standard boil and bite mouthguards) were assessed in a questionnaire-based survey. Their negative effects on the integrity of mucosa, speech, breathing, salivary flow and taste as well as in terms of inducing gag reflex, tooth clenching and temporomandibular joint complaints were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Porida mouthguard was reported to have the most adverse effects on oral functions. In the majority of the respondents, the remaining mouthguards did not have any adverse effects on the stomatognathic system functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mouthguards do not significantly disturb basic functions of the stomatognathic system. Standard Porida mouthguards were shown to have the most unfavourable effect on oral functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. dominikagawlak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gawlak
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mańka-Malara
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamiński
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łuniewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mierzwińska-Nastalska
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries; D006801:Humans; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009055:Mouth; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: mouthguards; orofacial injury; sport; teeth trauma