Custom Mouthguards
Custom Mouthguards at East Adelaide Dental Studio
If you or your child are active in sport, then injuries like concussions or broken teeth are a serious risk. Fortunately, a custom-made mouthguard offers a closer fit than other protective mouthpieces.
Even if your sport team doesn’t require a mouthguard as part of your protective equipment, wearing one can reduce your chances of a dental injury.
What Are the Dental Injury Risks During Sports?
Knocked out teeth (avulsion) requiring immediate emergency dentistry
Chipped enamel ranging from minor cosmetic fractures to severe structural breaks
Lip, cheek and tongue lacerations caused by teeth cutting into soft tissue during impact
Jaw fractures involving structural damage to the mandible or maxilla
A custom dental mouthguard in Adelaide significantly lowers the likelihood of permanent tooth loss and expensive reconstructive surgeries. The table below defines the protective capabilities and fitting mechanisms of the 3 main mouthguard categories available to athletes.Store-bought options provide less structural stability than a custom-fitted guard.
| Mouthguard Type | Fit Mechanism | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Mouthguards | Pre-formed and rigid | Low |
| Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards | Thermoplastic moulded at home | Medium |
| Custom Dental Mouthguards | Made from a precise dental impression | High |
Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard Over Store-Bought Options?
A custom sports guard in Adelaide provides 4 distinct advantages over generic pharmacy options:Boil-and-bite alternatives use thermoplastic that degrades more quickly and fails to hug the distinct curves of your dental arch.
- Secure retention: The appliance locks firmly over the teeth and remains firmly in place throughout rigorous physical activity.
- Optimal thickness: Dental professionals control the material density across high-impact zones, ensuring adequate cushioning without impeding breathing.
- Comfortable wear: The exact fit prevents gum irritation, making the guard comfortable for talking and hydrating on the field.
- Reliable durability: High-grade ethylene vinyl acetate resists tears and maintains its shape across an entire season of use.
How Does a Custom Mouthguard Protect Against Concussions?
A custom mouthguard protects against concussions by cushioning direct forces to the mouth, teeth, and jaw during an impact. The condyle of the lower jaw sits directly beneath the base of the skull. An upward strike to the chin drives this joint directly into the temporal bone of the skull, which transmits kinetic shock directly to the brain.
A dense, properly fitted sports mouthguard in Adelaide acts as a shock absorber. The thick material limits the upward and backward momentum of the mandible. Evidence-based research indicates this precise cushioning mechanism limits the shock from the jaw to the head, which potentially reduces the chance of concussion.
Athletes wearing ill-fitting appliances receive no shock absorption benefits because the loose material fails to lock the jaw into a safe, neutral position. Custom appliances maintain a consistent thickness between the upper and lower arches. Evidence on whether mouthguards reduce concussion risk remains inconclusive.
Can You Choose Colours and Designs for Custom Mouthguards?
You can select specific colours and designs for custom mouthguards to match a team jersey or school mascot. Patients select their preferred colour combinations and stripe patterns to showcase team unity. The fabrication process involves layering high-grade dental laminate into the chosen configuration.
Our dental laboratory completes the manufacturing process efficiently, meaning your customised appliance is ready to wear within a week.
Adults maintain their custom sports guard easily and reuse a well-maintained appliance across multiple seasons. Growing children require the appliance updated regularly. A child’s dental arch expands and adult teeth erupt continuously until their mouths are fully formed. A mouthguard made for a 10-year-old will not fit their jaw at age 12. We recommend replacing a child’s sports guard every 12 to 18 months to ensure continuous, precise protection. We offer custom sports guards in Adelaide tailored for junior and senior athletes alike.
Do You Offer Team Mouthguard Fittings in Adelaide?
We offer comprehensive individual and team mouthguard fittings in Adelaide for adults and children. Coaches, team managers, and parents arrange dedicated mouthguard fittings in Adelaide to get their entire squad protected before the winter or summer sports season commences.
We welcome student athlete fittings to ensure junior teams remain safe on the field. Our clinic streamlines the process for local sporting clubs by coordinating dedicated appointment blocks for entire teams. Getting fitted involves taking a fast, non-invasive digital or physical impression of the upper and lower dental arches. Parents seeking a reliable sports guard in Glenside trust our clinic to protect their children effectively. Discover our broader approach to children’s dentistry and learn how we protect developing smiles.
We also provide general preventive care for the whole family through our general dentistry services.
What Payment Options Are Available for Custom Mouthguards?
Patients access multiple payment options for custom mouthguards at our clinic. We accept most major health funds, with on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS. Our front desk team processes health fund claims on the spot using our HICAPS terminal, minimising out-of-pocket expenses for families.
We provide Denticare payment plans to help manage the cost of protective dental appliances, subject to approval. Afterpay is available, allowing patients to spread the cost over 4 fortnightly payments, subject to Afterpay’s terms. Review our complete guide to payment options to plan your visit, or learn more about Denticare for flexible, interest-free payment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
he cost of a custom mouthguard depends on the specific design complexity, colour choices, and material thickness required for the designated sport. Patients use health funds, Afterpay, or Denticare payment plans to manage the expense easily.
A custom mouthguard lasts 12 to 18 months for a growing child. Children require a new appliance regularly because their teeth shift, their dental arch expands, and the material degrades over time.
Custom mouthguards fit more closely than boil-and-bite mouthguards because they are constructed from a precise dental impression. This closer fit generally provides better comfort, retention and shock absorption during heavy impacts.
Yes, you can get a mouthguard in your team colours. We offer multiple design options and laminate layers so patients can perfectly match their school or club uniform.
Most health funds cover custom sports mouthguards under extras or ancillary dental cover. We accept most major health funds, with on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS.