Why Get a Custom Fit Mouthguard?
Comparing our custom-made athletic mouthguards with stock/boil-and-bite mouthguards reveal significant differences. Boil-and-bite mouthguards do not fit as accurately so they often are uncomfortable and frequently interfere with the athlete’s ability to breathe and speak. Evidence suggests that boil-and-bite mouthguards provide a false sense of protection due to the dramatic decrease in thickness during the fitting process. As it stands, we do not promote boil-and-bite mouthguards and always recommend custom fit mouth guards for any of our patients involved in contact sports.
Why Choose Playsafe®?
They’re Well Made
Laminated sports mouthguards are more protective than single-layered mouthguards.
The Playsafe Mouthguard is a pressure laminated mouthguard which is constructed by pressure forming several different layers of protective material together. Each Playsafe Mouthguard contains the indentations of the lower teeth within the occlusal surface of the Playsafe Mouthguard so that if the patient receives a blow to their lower jaw it is protected. Additionally, this soft and flexible high impact absorbing polymer supports the teeth and protects the gums.
This is designed for serious sports players who may encounter a hard ball or equipment going at speed. The Heavy-Pro Playsafe Mouthguard contains several layers of high impact protective shielding to deflect the destructive energy.
The appropriate thickness is also an important attribute of custom pieces. The thickness of mouthguard materials is directly related to energy absorption and inversely related to transmitted forces when impacted. So the thicker the mouth guard, the better the protection. However, wearer comfort is also an important factor in their use. Thicker mouthguards are not as user-friendly. The optimal thickness is around 4 mm. An increased thickness, while improving performance marginally, results in less wearer comfort and acceptance.
They Prevent Concussions
Yes, they can prevent concussion of the brain!
The above-mentioned indentations in its biting surface, combined with the appropriate thickness of 4 mm, will safely immobilize the lower jaw, preventing reverberation of the brain, reducing the rate of a concussion received by a blow to the mandible.
Well Recognized
These mouthguards are the real deal!
The Playsafe Mouthguard is made from a tough elastic thermoforming material formulated for the construction of custom-made mouthguards and complying with the requirements of the BGA and FDA. The Playsafe Mouthguard also complies in full with the Personal Protective Equipment Legislation and demonstrates this by having the CE mark in its recognizable form of black text on a white background permanently sealed within it.
Additionally, tests by The Open University Materials Engineering Dept demonstrated that the Heavy Playsafe Mouthguard was more protective than any other mouthguard tested.
Facts to Consider
Like we always say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and when it comes to mouthguards that couldn’t be more true!
Unfortunately, custom-fitted mouthguards fabricated by dental professionals represent only about 2 to 4 percent of the mouthguard market. These numbers are in sharp contrast to the 71 percent of all dentists who routinely recommend mouthguards for their athletically active patients.
One major factor that contributes to this disparity is the cost associated with a professionally made custom-fit athletic mouthguard when compared to those bought over the counter at the drug or sporting goods store.
This is relative. Expensive as compared to what? Reconstructive surgery? Cosmetic dentistry? Pain and disfigurement? If you are comparing the price to an over-the-counter mouthguard found in stores, then we invite you to investigate the true protective properties of these ill-fitting, uncomfortable boil & bite guards...or should we say lack thereof.
