An improved mouthguard material |
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| Authors: | Bill Westerman BDS MDSc DDH P M Stringfellow BE † J A Eccleston PHD ‡ |
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| Institution: | *Private Practitioner.;?Professional Engineer.;?Department of Mathematics, The University of Queensland. |
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| Abstract: | a modified mouthguard material which reduces transmitted forces is described. Tests showed that the inclusion of air cells in a 4 mm thick polyvinylacetate-polyethylene (EVA) copolymer reduced the effects of impacts of less than 10 KN when compared with a material of the same EVA composition and thickness. The EVA copolymer with air-inclusions is suitable for the construction of stock, mouth-formed and vacuum-formed mouthguards. The improved elastic properties of the modified mouthguard material properties of the modified mouthguard material reduced transmitted forces by 32 per cent when copared with traditional EVA mouthguard polymers of the same thickness. |
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| Keywords: | Mouthguard materials air-inclusions transmitted force impact |
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