Boil and Bite Mouthguard with Segmented Ductility Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mouthguards, including stock and boil and bite types, fail to provide an optimal fit and adequate protection due to poor molding capabilities, particularly at the junction of teeth and gums, leading to loose retention and potential thinning of the occlusal surface, which compromises protection and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A mouthguard design featuring a base and interlocking inner and outer walls made from thermoplastic materials with varying ductility, where projections from the base and walls deform to closely mold around teeth, maintaining alignment and minimizing base deformation, thereby enhancing fit and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stock mouthguard is used, then the mouthguard is supplied in ready-to-use form, but it does not fit the user's mouth shape and is not retained by the teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthguard is divided into multiple layers with different materials: a base layer (12) with lower ductility and an outer layer (14) with higher ductility. This segmentation allows the outer layer to conform to teeth while the base layer maintains structural integrity and thickness for retention and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mouthguard have different material properties. The base layer has lower ductility to maintain thickness, while the outer layer has higher ductility to mold closely to the teeth and gums, particularly at the junction area for improved retention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a boil and bite mouthguard is used, then the mouthguard can be softened and molded in the user's mouth, but it does not fully mold to the junction of teeth and gums and is not retained well
Solution Approach 1:
The outer layer (14) is made from a material with higher ductility than the base layer (12), enabling it to mold closely to the teeth and gums at the junction area when the user bites down, while the base layer maintains its structural form.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthguard combines two thermoplastic materials with different ductility characteristics. The base layer provides structural support while the outer layer provides conformability, creating a composite structure that achieves both retention and protection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a boil and bite mouthguard is molded in the user's mouth, then the mouthguard adapts to the user's teeth, but the base thickness becomes thinner and protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthguard is segmented into a base layer (12) and an outer layer (14). The base layer is designed to maintain its thickness during the molding process, while the outer layer deforms to conform to the teeth, ensuring both protection and fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The base layer (12) is made from a material with lower ductility that resists thinning during molding, while the outer layer (14) is made from a more ductile material that deforms to mold closely to the teeth. This local differentiation of material properties preserves base thickness for protection while achieving accurate fit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a more secure and comfortable fit by closely molding to the teeth, reducing the likelihood of the mouthguard becoming loose and minimizing thinning of the occlusal surface, thus providing improved protection and retention.
Implementation Method 1
made from thermoplastic materials with varying ductility, where projections from the base and walls deform to closely mold around teeth
Implementation Method 2
On heating, often in boiling water, all or part of the mouthguard becomes soft and pliable. The mouthguard can then be inserted into user's mouth and pressure applied so that the material may adapt to the user's teeth.
Data Source
AI summary
A “boil and bite” mouthguard including projections to improve molding of the mouthguard to the user's teeth is described. The mouthguard also includes a base-wall configuration that acts to minimize thinning of the base during molding and use of the mouthguard.