Digital workflow for the fabrication of custom-fit additively manufactured sports mouthguards with balanced occlusion using an optical jaw tracking system: A dental technique.

ABSTRACT

Custom sports mouthguards are used in various sports to protect teeth, temporomandibular joints, and soft tissues from impact forces. The present article demonstrates a digital workflow to fabricate a 3-dimensionally (3D) printed individualized sports mouthguard. An optical jaw tracking system is used to record a repeatable reference position, and mandibular excursive movements to achieve a completely balanced occlusion. The technique simplifies the fabrication of a custom-fit mouthguard over the conventional approach by providing increased thickness accuracy, control of design, and integration of jaw motion.