Appropriate fabrication method for vacuum-formed mouthguards.

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.