CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED STUDIES: CUSTOM-MADE vs. BOIL AND BITE MOUTHGUARDS
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Sep 2012
A dental school in Washington recently conducted a controlled randomized trial to determine if mouthguards influence the strength and performance of collegiate athletes.
?Mouthguards are considered as effective and cost efficient devices aimed at buffering the impact or blows that may otherwise cause moderate to severe dental and maxillofacial injuries.?
Besides these roles, some ?claim that they also enhance athletic performance.?
Thus a study to evaluate and compare the effect of two different types of mouthguards on collegiate athletes was conducted.
Two types of mouthguards, one an over the counter boil and bite mouthguard and the other, a custom made mouthguard were used in the studies.
Physical tests aimed at evaluating the strength and performances of the athletes were used. These included the use of a 3-stroke maximum power ergometer and a 1600m run while wearing the mouthguards
At the conclusion of the studies, it was determined that custom made mouthguards did not have detrimental effect on athletic strength and performance and were reported to be comfortable and not causing breathing difficulties.
In contrast, boil and bite mouthguards did not perform as well. They had a slight negative impact on athletic performance which the authors attributed to breathing difficulties and discomfort.
From this writer?s point of view, the above studies further showed the importance of selecting which types of mouthguards to use when involved with contact sports.
Certainly, if boil and bite mouthguards caused discomfort and breathing difficulties, one can readily conclude that the over-the-counter stock mouthguards will do worse. These mouthguards which are manufactured and sold without regards to fit and comfort, much less protection are the most uncomfortable and least functional among all mouthguards.
Further, the study possibly demonstrated that custom made mouthguards are the only way to go.
However, as good as they are, this writer cautions athletes as to who make ?custom made? mouthguards for them.
Given the right equipment and correct materials, most dental technician can fabricate a custom made mouthguard based on the prescription of a licensed dentist.
But that?s where their role should end.
Athletes should not allow dental technicians to take their impressions much less fit their mouthguards because they are not properly trained and licensed to do so. Those functions belong to the dentists.
In conclusion, based on the many studies thus far on mouthguards, this writer strongly suggests that athletes use custom made mouthguards. When properly made and then fitted by licensed dentists, they are proven to be the most cost effective means to prevent or reduce the traumatic dental injuries in contact sports.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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