Difference in laminated mouthguard thickness according to the laminate order

Abstract

Background/aim: Mouthguard thickness should be maintained to prevent oral trauma by protecting the teeth and the surrounding soft tissue. The aim of this study was to examine the difference in laminated mouthguard thickness according to the laminate order.

Materials and methods: The mouthguard sheets used in this study were 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm ethylene-vinyl acetate. The sheets were pressure-formed using a pressure former, and the laminated mouthguard was fabricated. Two laminate conditions were examined. One condition used the 2.0-mm sheet for the first layer and the 3.0-mm sheet for the second layer (condition 2F3S) and the other condition used the 3.0-mm sheet for the first layer and 2.0-mm sheet for the second layer (condition 3F2S). The first layer was trimmed to cover the labial surface and incisal edge of the anterior teeth and the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth. The second layer was formed over the first layer. The mouthguard thickness was measured at the labial surface of the central incisor and the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar. Differences in thickness by measurement region of mouthguards formed under different laminate conditions were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance.

Results: The mouthguard thickness was significantly different at the measured regions of the central incisors and the first molars (p < .01). The thickness at the labial surface of the central incisor and at the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar became statistically significantly larger with the 3F2S condition than that for the 2F3S condition (p < .05 or p < .01).

Conclusions: The thickness of the laminated mouthguard became larger when the sheet thickness of the first layer was greater. It is recommended to use the thicker mouthguard sheet as the first layer when fabricating a laminated mouthguard.

Keywords: fabrication; laminate order; mouthguard; thickness.