Sports mouthpieces are usually classified as either stock, "boil and bite," or custom mouthguards.
"Stock mouthguards" are preformed mouthpieces that are sold ready to use. No customization is expected on the wearer's part. This type of guard usually only manufactured in just a few sizes, often only small, medium, and large. Stock mouthguards are typically the least expensive type of mouth protector but they are also considered to be the least protective guard.
There are a number of criticisms that are directed toward the use of stock sports mouthguards. Because they usually only come in just a few sizes the fit and comfort of a stock guard are typically poor. So to help to keep this type of mouthpiece in place an athlete will often feel that they must perpetually clench their teeth together. This clenching action can create speech and breathing difficulties, thus creating a reason why the athlete will not wear their guard.
An athlete may try to improve the wearing comfort of a stock mouthguard by trimming it. Excessive trimming can compromise the level of protection the mouthguard can provide. Additionally, because so few sizes are usually available a stock mouthguard may not cover over all of the wearer's back teeth the way a properly fitted mouthguard should.
A "boil and bite" mouthguard is a type of guard that is bought off the shelf in one of a few standard sizes. The athlete then takes the mouthguard home and customizes the fit of the guard to their mouth. Boil and bite mouthguards are the most used type of sports mouthpiece.
Boil and bite mouthguards are made from a thermoplastic material. The wearer removes the guard from its packaging and then places it in hot water so it becomes softened. The athlete then uses their fingers, lips, tongue and biting pressure to seat the guard over their teeth and form its contours.
Because they are customized by the wearer, boil and bite mouthguards can be expected to fit somewhat better and be more comfortable to wear than stock mouthguards. There is still some potential that an athlete will feel that they must clench their teeth together so to hold the guard in place. The need for this clenching activity can hinder the wearer's breathing and speech activities. Additionally, boil and bite mouthguards are often considered to be bulky.
When choosing a boil and bite guard a size must be chosen that extends over all of the back teeth. During the customization process care must be taken so the thickness of the plastic that covers the chewing surfaces or biting edges of the teeth does not become thinned out, or else the level of protection provided by the guard will be compromised.
Custom mouthguards are appliances that are made for athletes, usually by their dentist. Custom mouthpieces are typically considered to be the preferred type of mouthguard and considered to provide the greatest level of mouth protection. These guards can be customized not only related to factors associated with the athlete's oral anatomy but also in some cases according to the type of sport that the wearer will be participating in.
The fit, comfort, and retention of a custom mouthguard can be expected to be superior to any other type of mouth protector. This means that it can be anticipated that a custom mouthguard will be pleasant to wear and therefore more likely to be worn at all times. The superior retention typically associated with a custom mouthguard implies that it will be less likely to interfere with the wearer's breathing and speech. These guards can cost several times the amount of a boil and bite or stock mouthguard but this should be considered money that has been well spent.
Custom mouthguards are made in a dental laboratory on a plaster cast of the athlete's mouth. The dentist will take a dental impression of their patient. This impression is then filled with plaster so to create a replica of the teeth and surrounding gum tissue over which the mouthguard will be fitted. This plaster cast is sent to a dental laboratory where the mouthguard will be fabricated so it accurately fits on the cast. The time frame allowed for the fabrication process can vary but in most cases it will be one to two weeks.
Once the dental laboratory has delivered the completed mouthguard to the dentist's office the athlete will be scheduled for an appointment so the fit of the custom mouthguard can be evaluated. The dentist will refine the fit of the guard as is necessary. The mouthguard is now ready to be used.
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