The human mouth is vulnerable to impact during physical activity. Whether you are involved in high-contact sports like rugby or boxing, or recreational activities like basketball or skateboarding, a custom-fitted mouthguard is an important piece of protective equipment designed to reduce the risk of dental trauma.
A mouthguard acts as a shock absorber, protecting the teeth, alveolar bone, and surrounding soft tissues from impact. While there are various types available, they offer different levels of protection:
Custom-Made (Dental Clinic): Fabricated from an impression of your teeth, these are designed to provide a precise and comfortable fit. They allow for normal breathing and speech and offer a high degree of protection based on your unique dental anatomy.
Boil and Bite (Pharmacy): These provide a basic level of protection but are often bulky and may not stay securely in place during an impact.
Stock (Retail): These are pre-shaped and rarely fit securely, often requiring the wearer to clench their teeth to keep the guard in position.
In addition to sports protection, custom-made oral appliances are utilised for other clinical concerns:
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): An occlusal splint can protect teeth from the forces of clenching and grinding during sleep.
Snoring and Mild Sleep Apnoea: For patients diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnoea, a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) can assist in keeping the airway open. Please note: A medical diagnosis from a GP or sleep specialist is required before these devices can be prescribed.
Acquiring a custom mouthguard typically requires two appointments:
Clinical Impressions: A registered dental practitioner takes a precise impression or digital scan of your teeth. These are then used by a dental laboratory technician to fabricate your mouthguard.
Fitting and Review: We ensure the device fits securely and provide instructions on how to clean and maintain it.
A mouthguard should be brought to your regular clinical examinations to be checked for wear, tear, and continued fit. This is particularly important for younger athletes whose mouths are still developing.
Important Information: All dental procedures carry risks. A clinical examination is required to determine suitability for any custom-fitted appliance. Individual results and levels of protection vary. Mouthguards do not eliminate the risk of injury but are designed to reduce the severity of dental trauma. For sleep-related conditions, a referral from a medical practitioner is required. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries additional risks; before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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