Question

Vincent is a 23 year old karate student working towards his black belt. He is scheduled today for his 6 month check-up appointment. While reviewing his chart, you see the previous entry states that his last appointment was an emergency visit to repair 11, which was fractured during a competition. Answer the following questions: 1. What type of mouth guard(s) would you recommend and Why? 2. What lab equipment will be used to fabricate the recommended mouthguard? 3. What information would you give to your client to explain the benefits of having mouthguard protection? 4. Explain the differences between mouth guards and night guards. (type of material used and function of each appliance)

Answer 1

1. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the best protection and comfort for sports activities. 2. Lab equipment used to fabricate mouthguards includes dental stone, dental wax, a vacuum former, and a curing unit. 3. Mouthguards provide benefits such as reducing the risk of dental injuries and improving performance. 4. Mouthguards and night guards differ in material and function.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. I would recommend using a custom-fitted mouthguard for Vincent due to his karate training and previous injury. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the best protection and comfort as they are designed specifically for an individual's mouth shape and size. Vincent's black belt training involves high-impact movements and there is a risk of impact to the mouth, so a custom-fitted mouthguard would provide the necessary support and protection.

2. The lab equipment used to fabricate the recommended mouthguard would include materials such as dental stone, dental wax, a vacuum former, and a curing unit. The dental stone is used to make an impression of Vincent's mouth, the dental wax is used to create a model of the mouth, the vacuum former is used to heat and mold the mouthguard material to the model, and the curing unit is used to harden the mouthguard.

3. I would explain to Vincent the benefits of having mouthguard protection, such as reducing the risk of injury to his teeth, gums, and jaws. A mouthguard can also minimize the risk of concussion by absorbing and distributing the impact force. Additionally, wearing a mouthguard can improve his confidence and performance, as he can focus more on his techniques without worrying about potential dental injuries.

4. Mouthguards and night guards are made of different materials and serve different functions. Mouthguards, like the one recommended for Vincent, are typically made of thermoplastic materials and are designed to protect the mouth during sports activities. They provide impact absorption and distribute forces evenly. On the other hand, night guards are usually made of acrylic or other rigid materials and are used to prevent teeth grinding and clenching while sleeping.

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