Abstract
Aim
The aim was to examine the influence of the heating temperature on the fabrication of vacuum-formed mouthguards.
Materials and methods
Mouthguard
sheets of 3.8 mm ethylene vinyl acetate were vacuum-formed on working
models at three heating temperatures: 80, 100, and 120°C. The thickness
of the mouthguard was measured at the labial surface of the central
incisor, and the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the first molar.
Differences in the thickness of the mouthguards were analyzed by two-way
analysis of variance. The fit of the mouthguard was examined at the
central incisor and the first molar by measuring the distance between
the mouthguard and the cervical margin of the working model. Differences
in the distance between the mouthguard and the cervical margin
according to the heating temperatures were analyzed by one-way analysis
of variance.
Results
Mouthguard thickness varied among the measured regions of the central incisors and first molars (P
< 0.01). The greatest thickness was found at the labial surface of
the central incisor and the buccal surface of the first molar in
mouthguards fabricated with heating temperature of 120°C (P < 0.05). The best fit was obtained in mouthguards fabricated with heating temperature of 120°C (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Heating
the mouthguard sheet until the temperature reached 120°C was the best
fabrication method to maintain the thickness and to obtain proper fit.
It is important to control the heating temperature when fabricating
vacuum-formed mouthguards.
Comments