Custom-Made Mouthguard: Personalized Solution for Injury Prevention Secondary to Bruxism During Physical Activity.

Abstract

The natural dynamics of the jaw during physical activity and its physiological mechanisms are not fully understood. However, teeth clenching during certain sports activities may be associated with increased strength, power, flexibility, and performance. This behavior is termed awake bruxism (AB) and can lead to intraoral damage, highlighting the importance of patient education and management. This work describes the fabrication of a custom mouthguard (MG) idealized to prevent oral injuries secondary to AB during sports practice and discusses its indications, benefits, and guidelines for future research. A 3-mm Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) soft plate was selected as the material for MG fabrication, which was designed to fit the mandibular arch with an occlusal coverage thickness of 1.5-2 mm, vestibular and lingual extensions up to 3-4 mm away from the gingival margin, and an anterior connecting rod thickness of 3-5 mm. The proposed MG is intended to provide comfort, aesthetics, and protection against AB injuries for athletes who may experience neuromuscular benefits when clenching their teeth. For amateur and recreational athletes, promoting cognitive and behavioral changes for AB control is also suggested. Future in vitro and clinical studies are necessary to investigate the mechanical properties and clinical performance of the proposed MG.