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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(08): 684-687
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398655
Clinical Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Method for Detecting the Deterioration in the Shock Absorption Capability of Mouthguards

Y. Tanaka
1   Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontolgy and Oral Rehabiliation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Japan
,
H. Miyanaga
1   Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontolgy and Oral Rehabiliation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Japan
,
Y. Maeda
1   Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontolgy and Oral Rehabiliation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Japan
,
M. Abe
1   Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontolgy and Oral Rehabiliation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Japan
,
S. Miwa
1   Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontolgy and Oral Rehabiliation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Japan
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 02 January 2015

Publication Date:
11 March 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Objective methods for mechanical assessment of mouthguards used for a prolonged period of time are currently unavailable. The aim of this experimental study was to establish a quantitative method for assessing the preventive effect of mouthguards. 10 participants volunteered for this study. Impact loads were simulated by dropping a 250-g steel rod from a height of 100 mm onto upper front teeth of 10 custom ethylene vinyl acetate mouthguards fixed to a steel receiving rod. The mean output from load cells equilaterally placed between plates at the base of the apparatus was measured as the impact pressure (N). Its attenuation ratio (%) was calculated as the ratio of the difference in impact pressures without and with a mouthguard to impact pressure without a mouthguard. Impact pressure with mouthguard was approximately 60% of that without mouthguard in all cases. Intraclass correlations showed excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for attenuation ratio (0.98 and 0.94, respectively). Bland-Altman plots indicated lack of systematic bias. The results suggest that attenuation ratio of impact pressure calculated by the proposed method is a valid criterion for assessing the preventive effect of mouthguards. The method may enable early detection of mouthguard deterioration and their timely replacement.

Key words

ethylene vinyl acetate - intraclass correlations - minimal detectable change - Bland-Altman plot - deterioration - impact injury
 

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