ABSTRACT
Of the variety of mouth guards available to the conscientious athlete for protection of oral structures, the pressure-laminated appliance provides the best fit and most protection. The pressure-lamination technique, however, is not widely known among dentists. This article contains a step-by-step description of making pressure-laminated athletic mouth guards.
Subject(s)
Athletic Injuries/prevention & control , Mouth Protectors , Sports Equipment , Equipment Design/methods , Equipment Safety , Models, Dental , Pressure , Vacuum , Vinyl CompoundsABSTRACT
Dentoalveolar trauma does not pose a significant morbid risk for the trauma patient. However, the long-term consequences of mismanagement can be devastating. Early, correct diagnosis, and appropriate referral of these injuries can affect the success of treatment. Failure to recognize or obtain appropriate consultation can result in premature tooth or alveolar bone loss, resulting in problematic prosthetic rehabilitation. The purpose of this article is to review the concepts of recognition, management, and prevention of dentoalveolar trauma. In situations where the possibility of trauma is likely, such as in athletics, dentoalveolar and related fractures can be prevented through the use of mouthguards fabricated by health care professionals.
