Position Statement and Recommendations for Custom-Made Sport Mouthguards

• Published in: Dental traumatology 2024-11
• Main Authors: Avgerinos, Stavros, Stamos, Athanasios, Nanussi, Alessandro, Engels-Deutsch, Marc, Cantamessa, Sophie, Dartevelle, Jean-Luc, Unamuno, Eider, Del Grosso, Flavia, Fritsch, Tilman, Crouzette, Thierry, Striegel, Markus, Sánchez, Christian Cardozo, Okshah, Abdulmajeed, Tzimpoulas, Nestor, Naka, Olga, Kouveliotis, George, Tzoutzas, Ioannis, Zoidis, Panagiotis, Synodinos, Filippos, Loizos, Evangelos, Tasopoulos, Theodoros, Haughey, John, Rahiotis, Christos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1600-4469; 1600-9657; 1600-9657
• DOI: 10.1111/edt.13019

Sports-related traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are a significant global concern, particularly in contact sports, where the risk of orofacial injuries is high. Custom-made sports mouthguards (CSMs) are recognized as the most effective means of preventing these injuries, providing both protection and comfort without impairing athletic performance. Despite their proven benefits, there is no globally standardized approach to mouthguard design, fabrication, or usage, primarily due to varying regulations, awareness levels, and cultural attitudes toward sports safety across different countries. This document from the European Association for Sports Dentistry (EA4SD) outlines the latest guidelines for selecting, constructing, clinical use, and maintaining CSMs. It emphasizes the need for mouthguards fabricated from FDA-approved materials, designed to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively, and customized to ensure optimal fit and comfort. The EA4SD also highlights the importance of education for dental professionals and athletes on the benefits of CSMs, advocating for their mandatory use in high-risk sports to reduce the prevalence of TDIs and related complications.