• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2010

Previous studies have already shown that mouthguard is effective in protecting jaw bone, teeth and oral tissue against sports trauma. However, other than severe trauma, repetitive force, such as disorders like clenching, cause teeth or oral tissue damage. These kinds of disorders usually present pathologic attrition in the posterior teeth, resorption in alveolar bone, loss of teeth and destruction of occlusion. Wearing a mouthguard is believed to be effective in preventing these disorders. But its effect is not examined thoroughly enough. The purpose of this study is to identify whether mouthguard is effective in reducing strain caused by clenching. Mandibular first molars in the normal occlusal relationship without any history of dental treatment were chosen. Biaxial type strain gauge was placed on the buccal surface of the tooth. Having maximum occlusal force, measured by load cell, as a standard, clenching intensity were divided into three stages; moment of slightly tooth contact, medium bite force (50% of maximum bite force), maximum bite force. Strain occurring in dentition in each stage with and without mouthguard was measured. Changes in strain (on dentition) between each stage and difference in strain, between with or without mouthguard were recorded by PCD-300 analyzer and PCD-30 soft ware. The data was statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. The following results were drawn; Without mouthguard, strain given on dentition increased as the clenching force increased. With mouthguard, strain given on dentition also increased as the clenching force increased. With mouthguard, strain decreased, in all cases of clenching force stages. Data on the moment of slightly tooth contact stage, had no statistical significance. However, with mouthguard, 50-90% of decrease in strain could be obtained in maximum occlusal force, compared to the group without mouthguard. Mouthguard decreased the strain on the dentition, caused by clenching. Therefore, mouthguard seems to be effective in preventing damage on dentition, by acting against clenching, which occurs both consciously and unconsciously during sports activities.