A Stabilometric Study on Usefulness of Custom-made Mouthguards in Athletes.

概要

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The value of mouthguards for preventing injury among athletes is well-known, but only a small percentage of athletes wear them. The main reason for limited use is poor fit, because the majority of athletes who wear mouthguards use over-the-counter products. Custom-made mouthguards have advantages over ready-made ones in that they are more comfortable and fit better. In this study, stabilometric testing was done to investigate the effect of custom-made mouthguards on athletic performance. The subjects were 13 rugby players. All were tested under the following 4 sets of conditions: mouthguard (-) occlusion (-), mouthguard (+) occlusion (-), mouthguard (-) occlusion (+), and mouthguard (+) occlusion (+). The two-dimensional amplitude of the center of gravity, the area moved (Sg), and the distance moved (Dg) were calculated under each set of conditions. Sg and Dg were both significantly lower under mouthguard (+) occlusion (+) condition. In other words, occlusion was adequate and stable when wearing a custom-made mouthguard, and as a result the guard has no adverse effect on maintenance of equilibrium or somatic sensation.
特定非営利活動法人日本口腔科学会の論文