Custom-Fitted Sports Mouthguards for Injury Prevention

Dental injuries are the most common type of oral / facial injury sustained during participation in sports.  Custom-fitted mouthguards are essential in the prevention of athletic oral/facial injuries and they are also the most satisfying of all types of teeth protectors.

Benefits of Custom-Fitted Mouthguards vs. Boil & Bite Mouthguards

Custom-fitted mouthguards have a much better fit than store-bought ‘Boil & Bite’ mouthguards, because they are made from a mold of your mouth and custom fitted by our dentist.  Our properly-fitted mouthguards are protective, comfortable, supple, tear-resistant and not bulky. Because they are custom-fitted, they have excellent retention, fit and enough thickness in critical areas.  They interfere the least with speech and have virtually no effect on breathing.

Disadvantages of Boil & Bite Mouthguards

Stock/Boil & Bite Mouthguards, available in sporting goods stores, come in limited sizes and are the least protective. They are bulky and have poor fit and retention; thus, must be held in place by constantly biting down.  Interfering with speech and breathing, stock mouthguards are less protective.  Athletes often have to cut and alter them for better fit. Often they lack proper extensions and do not cover the posterior teeth of teenage athletes.

How Custom-Fitted Mouthguards are made

They are made from a stone cast of the mouth, commonly of the upper arch, using an impression (mold) made by the dentist.  A thermoplastic material is adapted over the cast with a special vacuum machine. They are then trimmed and polished for proper fit and gum adaptation. All posterior teeth are covered and muscle attachments are uninterrupted.

If you are wearing Braces

Children, teens and adults who are active in contact sports or other activities that may result in injury to the mouth or jaw, should wear a mouthguard. Our Orthodontists will be able to recommend an appropriate mouthguard to wear while braces are in place.  Braces do not typically interfere with playing wind or brass instruments.