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- Title
Effect of thickness and occlusal accommodation on the degree of satisfaction with mouthguard use among water polo players: A randomized crossover trial.
- Authors
Flores‐Figueiras, Carla; Zamora‐Olave, Carla; Willaert, Eva; Martinez‐Gomis, Jordi
- Abstract
Background/Aim: The optimal mouthguard type and design for each player and sport are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of using a thicker custom‐made mouthguard with occlusal accommodation on the degree of satisfaction among water polo players. Material and Methods: Twenty‐five elite water polo players participated in this randomized four‐period crossover trial conducted from February to May 2019. For each participant, two customized mouthguards were fabricated using 4‐mm ethyl vinyl acetate foil: Type A included no occlusal accommodation, and Type B included a 2‐mm occlusal accommodation. Players wore each mouthguard during training sessions and competitions for 2 weeks in one of two randomized sequences. After each match or training session, players were asked to evaluate the mouthguards on 10‐point scales across three domains: discomfort or interference with function, protection, and general satisfaction. Mouthguard preference was also recorded. Results: The mouthguard with occlusal accommodation was reported to interfere more with speech and swallowing (P <.001) and with esthetics, breathing, and athletic performance (P <.05) compared with the conventional mouthguard. Although occlusal accommodation was associated with a higher perceived degree of protection (mean difference 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2‐0.8), players were still more satisfied with the conventional mouthguard (mean difference 1.5; 95% CI: 0.8‐2.3). Two players preferred the occlusal mouthguard, whereas 22 preferred the conventional mouthguard (P =.007). Conclusions: Among water polo players, occlusal accommodation increasing the thickness of the custom‐made mouthguards may offer a greater perceived sense of protection, but this comes at the cost of greater discomfort and reduced overall satisfaction. Dentists can recommend conventional mouthguards for most water polo players.
- Subjects
THICKNESS measurement; OCCLUSAL adjustment; SATISFACTION; MOUTH protectors; WATER polo players; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; CROSSOVER trials
- Publication
Dental Traumatology, 2020, Vol 36, Issue 6, p670
- ISSN
1600-4469
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/edt.12583