Dental Mouthguards

The dental mouthguard is one of the few tools in modern dentistry with a long history. Interestingly, wax mouthguards for tooth protection were used in ancient times, and there are mentions of leather or fabric mouthguards used in the Middle Ages. However, the current technological development of dental mouthguards only began in the early 20th century. Modern dentistry uses mouthguards that vary in purpose and materials.

Teeth alignment with mouthguards works by using pressure created by specially designed mouthguards on the teeth and bite.

Types of mouthguards for teeth alignment:

1. Bracket mouthguards

These are structures that combine mouthguards with built-in metal brackets. They are used both for teeth alignment and for correcting various bite abnormalities.

There are also bracket mouthguards with ceramic rather than metal built-in components. Additionally, lingual mouthguards have brackets placed on the inner (lingual) side of the teeth, making them virtually invisible.

2. Invisalign mouthguards, or aligners

These are transparent mouthguards that fit tightly against the teeth and gently apply pressure. Teeth correction with aligners involves periodic replacement: the patient wears the first set for 1–2 weeks, then as slight changes occur, a new set is needed. In total, teeth straightening with mouthguards involves at least 12 pairs. In cases of significant defects, 18–24 pairs of aligners may be required.

To straighten teeth with Invisalign mouthguards, aligners should be worn 20–22 hours per day, removing them only while eating. The cost of Invisalign teeth alignment is quite high, and the treatment period is long, requiring regular visits to the doctor. In Kyiv, the price of Invisalign treatment reaches 80,000–120,000 hryvnias.

3. Mouthguards with activators

Dentistry also widely uses teeth alignment mouthguards with activators. Such orthodontic mouthguards are structures with built-in activators – elements that create pressure aimed at correcting specific orthodontic problems.

The price of teeth alignment mouthguards in Kyiv varies and largely depends on the type of mouthguards, clinical picture, and treatment period. On average, it is around 40,000 hryvnias.

Dental mouthguards for alignment can be used for the following medical indications:

• minor teeth misalignment – mouthguards can be effective in cases requiring small corrections to tooth positioning;
• maintaining orthodontic treatment results – some types of mouthguards can be used after completing the active phase of orthodontic treatment to maintain the new position of teeth and prevent relapse;
• preventing the return of defects – mouthguards may be recommended to prevent the recurrence of certain defects.

Alignment with mouthguards is not possible in cases of:

• severe orthodontic problems;
• alignment in conditions of insufficient space for correction;
• presence of dental and mucosal diseases;
• need for surgical correction;
• patient’s inability to follow recommendations;
• allergy to materials;
• systemic diseases (cardiovascular, endocrine, autoimmune, bone and neuromuscular disorders, genetic syndromes).

An orthodontic dental mouthguard can be used for teeth alignment or for bite modification. The processes are similar and interconnected, but teeth alignment addresses cosmetic defects such as uneven tooth distribution, diastemas, and tremas. Bite correction, on the other hand, involves not only correcting tooth positioning but also changing the jaw position.

Mouthguards for bite correction can be of different types:

1. Activators

Orthodontic appliances that include activators for influencing muscles, teeth, and jaw bone tissues and stimulating their restructuring. They are typically used for correcting deep and open bites.

2. Retention mouthguards

Removable orthodontic appliances used after completing the active treatment phase to retain teeth in their new position.

3. Bite fixation mouthguards

Used to stabilize results after active orthodontic treatment and prevent teeth from returning to their original position.

4. Splinting mouthguards

Plates and splinting mouthguards are removable orthodontic appliances that are often used to fix the results of orthodontic treatment, including bite correction. These appliances not only maintain the results of previous treatment but can also make corrective changes.

5. Elastic mouthguards

Rubber bands or other elastic elements aimed at providing additional pressure during bite correction.

The cost of bite correction with mouthguards varies depending on the complexity of the case and the type of mouthguards the doctor decides to use. In Kyiv dental clinics, prices for dental mouthguards for bite correction start from 3,000 hryvnias.

A bite correction mouthguard can be used in the following cases:

• mild and moderate bite abnormalities;
• retention after active treatment;
• correction of minor bite defects;
• aesthetic improvement.

Contraindications for using mouthguards in bite correction:

• complex cases of bite deformity and/or facial skull deformity;
• need for occlusion correction (teeth contact in closed position);
• need for multi-plane correction (when influencing several complex bite parameters is required);
• mucosal diseases.

Bruxism is involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, most often during sleep. Bruxism causes enamel erosion, jaw pain, headaches, and even gastrointestinal problems. In cases of bruxism, patients are most often recommended a nighttime dental mouthguard that performs several protective functions simultaneously.

Functions of mouthguards for bruxism:

Contraindications for using mouthguards in bruxism:

• structural dental diseases (cavities, enamel damage, etc.) require preliminary treatment, and only then can a dental mouthguard be used;
• allergy to materials;
• gum diseases (using mouthguards can lead to progression of gum diseases).

The cost of mouthguards for bruxism in various Kyiv clinics ranges from 10,000 to 45,000 hryvnias.

Another type of mouthguards that perform protective and shock-absorbing functions are sports mouthguards. They are designed to protect teeth and jaws from injuries that occur during sports.

Advantages:

• tooth protection (preventing damage to teeth and jaws from impacts or injuries);
• soft tissue protection (reducing the risk of damage to lips, tongue, and mucosa);
• shock absorption (the flexible material of sports mouthguards can serve as a shock absorber, softening the impact and reducing the effect).

Sports mouthguards can be made from:

• ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA – a soft and flexible material that provides excellent shock absorption);
• polyurethane (PU has good elasticity and durability, making it effective for protecting teeth from impacts);
• silicone (soft and elastic silicone can be used to make custom sports mouthguards that better fit the patient’s teeth);
• thermoplastic polymer (a plastic material that becomes soft and moldable when heated. It allows creating custom mouthguards that take the shape of teeth after heating);
• latex (less common due to possible allergic reactions).

Additionally, there are double-layer sports mouthguards: the inner layer is softer and fits against the teeth, while the outer layer provides additional protection.

Sports mouthguards can be standard or custom-made from dental impressions for better fit and protection. The price of sports mouthguards varies depending on the type, material, and purpose. The cost of a standard sports mouthguard starts from 500 hryvnias. The cost of making a custom sports mouthguard in Kyiv is 4,000–6,000 hryvnias.

Teeth whitening mouthguards can be either standard or custom-made for the patient. The price of mouthguards made from individual impressions will be higher than the price of standard whitening mouthguards that can be bought at a pharmacy. However, standard mouthguards will be significantly inferior in terms of comfort and whitening effectiveness.

The general principle of whitening mouthguards is that they are filled with a special gel and fixed on the teeth. To achieve the effect, the mouthguards should be worn for several hours over several days.

The advantages of whitening mouthguards include:

• convenience;
• even distribution of the whitening gel;
• minimal gel impact on the gums.

Patients should remember that a whitening dental mouthguard is not a cure-all, and the whitening process itself negatively affects dental health.

Contraindications to teeth whitening:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• allergy to gel components;
• temporomandibular joint diseases;
• gum diseases;
• enamel hyperesthesia;
• presence of piercings.

For our patients who still decide to undergo teeth whitening, we recommend considering a number of important and mandatory rules:

1. Only whiten healthy (treated) teeth.
2. Perform whitening after professional cleaning.
3. After whitening, perform enamel remineralization.
4. To maintain the effect after whitening, refrain from smoking and consuming coloring products (tea, coffee, red wine, beets, etc.).

Mouthguards that help saturate teeth with beneficial microelements may be needed by patients both after whitening and during treatment. All enriching mouthguards work on the same principle – the same as whitening mouthguards.

Types of enriching dental mouthguards:

• with calcium (used to strengthen tooth enamel and saturate it with calcium);
• with fluoride (used to reduce enamel sensitivity and prevent cavities);
• with arginine and calcium (used to create a protective layer around teeth and strengthen enamel);
• with ceramides (ceramides are components that promote enamel restoration and protection);
• with arginine, calcium, and fluoride;
• with arginine and calcium salts.