Whether you’re playing a contact or non-contact sport, dental injuries can still happen during play. But don’t worry—a custom sports mouthguard can protect your teeth, helping you avoid these injuries.
With many mouthguards available—from store-bought to custom—some offer far better protection than others. Let’s explore why custom mouthguards stand out and the benefits they offer.
What is a custom made mouthguard?
A custom mouthguard is designed by a dentist to fit your teeth and alignment perfectly, made specifically to your mouth. You can even customise the thickness level to suit your preference.
Mouthguards are used to provide protection to your teeth during contact sports like rugby, AFL, hockey, and more. They help avoid chipped or cracked teeth and broken jaws.
In other non-contact sports such as mountain biking or netball, custom made mouthguards can still be used to protect from sudden impacts. With many sports enforcing a ‘no mouthguard, no play’ policy, it’s crucial to have a proper mouthguard to safeguard teeth. This way everyone can continue to enjoy their favourite sports safely.
The process of creating a custom mouthguard
In order to make a custom fit mouthguard, a dentist will take an impression of your mouth with soft material. You will have soft material pressed onto your teeth which hardens to create an accurate impression of your teeth. This mould is sent to a laboratory and used to create a custom mouthguard that perfectly fits your mouth. Alternatively, a dentist may get a digital picture of what your teeth look like, by scanning your mouth using a digital intraoral scanner. This device records images of your teeth which are then stitched together by computer software to get an accurate image of your teeth.
There are a variety of materials that can be used to create a dental mouthguard. The three main types of mouthguards are:
- Vacuum Foam: Single-layer mouthguards that offer better protection than store-bought options, though the fit isn’t perfect.
- Pressure Laminated: Multi-layer mouthguards that provide strong support and a more precise fit.
- Impressionless: Made from thermal polymer, these offer the best fit and strongest protection.
Once a custom fitted mouthguard is created, it is sent back to the dentist to assess whether it provides the right amount of coverage for the patient.
Custom vs store bought mouthguards
While all mouthguards offer some protection, dentist-fitted ones provide superior defense with a snug fit, better shock absorption, and greater durability.
Unlike a store-bought boil and bite mouthguard, which is made malleable in boiling water and then semi-moulded to your teeth, custom fitted mouthguards are precisely crafted to fit your teeth perfectly.
Let’s do a side-by-side comparison:
Sustainable protection
Ultimately, if you’re looking for long-term protection for your teeth, custom fit sports mouthguards provide better value for your money and superior protection. By investing in a custom mouthguard, you can avoid costly restorative procedures down the line.
At Oakleigh Dental, we help our patients get the exact type of sports mouthguard they need. If you’re interested in learning more or ready to book an appointment to get your own custom mouthguard made, get in touch today and we’ll get you back on the field in no time!
