Characterization of mouthguard materials: Physical and mechanical properties of commercialized products

Gould, Trenton E.; Piland, Scott G.; Shin, Junghwan; Hoyle, Charles E.; Nazarenko, Sergei

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2008.12.005

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Volume 25, Issue 6 , Pages 771-780, June 2009

Characterization of mouthguard materials: Physical and mechanical properties of commercialized products

Trenton E. Gould
- School of Human Performance, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
- Corresponding author at: Sport and High Performance Materials Program, The University of Southern Mississippi, The School of Human Performance, 118 College Drive, #5142, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Tel.: +1 601 266 6339; fax: +1 601 266 4445.
Scott G. Piland
- School of Human Performance, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
Junghwan Shin
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
Charles E. Hoyle
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
Sergei Nazarenko
- School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

Received 3 November 2008; received in revised form 19 December 2008; accepted 20 December 2008.

Abstract

Objectives

Contemporary mouthguard materials need to perform consistently over a wide range of possible temperatures (−20 to 40°C). Therefore the specific aim of this study was to characterize commercialized mouthguard materials’ properties and investigate the effect of temperature on these properties.

Methods

Five commercially representative thermoplastic mouthguard materials (Essix™ Resin, Erkoflex™, Proform™-regular, Proform™-laminate, and Polyshok™) were tested. The durometer hardness, water absorption, tear strength, and impact attenuation of the mouthguard materials were measured according to ASTM D2240-05, D570-98 (2005), D624-00, and ASTM D6110-06f (modified) guidelines. Tests were conducted on five separate specimens at both room 23±2°C and intra-oral 37±2°C temperatures. Independent t-tests (α=0.05) were used to test for differences between room and intra-oral temperatures.

Results

Material hardness decreased (p<0.05) from room to intra-oral temperatures for all mouthguard materials. Water absorption increased (p<0.05) from room to intra-oral temperatures for all mouthguard materials. Tear strength decreased (p<0.05) from room to intra-oral temperatures for all mouthguard materials. Impact attenuation between room and intra-oral temperatures was different (p<0.05) for the Erkoflex™, Proform™-laminate, and Polyshok™ material respectfully. However, there was no difference between temperatures for the Essix™ Resin (p=.058) or Proform™-regular (p=.275) materials.

Significance

Temperature measureably affects the physical and mechanical properties of mouthguard materials. It is particularly noteworthy that none of the commercialized products met current ANSI and SAI standards for impact attenuation.

Keywords: Mouthguard materials, Impact testing, Dental materials, Shock absorption, Ethylene vinyl acetate, Material characterization