There are 3 types of sports mouthguards available.
1. Custom Mouthguards:
These are the conventional rubber –type mouthguards fitted by a dental professional. We first need to take an accurate impression to create a plaster model. The model is then given to our technician who will create a beautiful thermoformed mouthguard. We normally need 1-2 days to construct these.
These mouthguards offer excellent protection but are thick and bulky. This makes it challenging to talk while they are being worn and some patients find that the bulk can cause gagging.
2. SISU Mouthguards:
These are a high tech modern version of the “boil and bite” mouthguard. These are made of a hard medical grade plastic. They are softened in hot water and carefully moulded around the upper teeth.
These mouthguards only require one visit and can be fitted on the spot. These are also great for patients wearing braces as the SISU mouthguard can be easily re-softened in hot water and remoulded to the teeth periodically as the teeth are straightening.
3. Boil and bite mouthguard:
These are available from chemists or sporting goods stores. These are softened in hot water then moulded over the Teeth. Generally, the fit of these is poor and they often drop out when the player opens their mouth. They offer some protection and are better than having nothing. But I feel they may not be sufficiently protective if a serious impact is sustained. These sports mouthguards can be used over braces – and in fact, the braces offer something to grip onto – so the fit is better and more retentive in braces patients compared with non–braces patients.
These mouthguards are a quick option and can be fitted by the player him/ herself. This type of mouthguard can also be refitted a couple of times as the teeth move.