Sports Dentistry
Sports Dentistry is the treatment and prevention of oral/facial athletic injuries while improving your athletic performance. In sports, the challenge is to maximize your effectiveness and to limit injuries. Sports dentistry has a major role to play in this area. Prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing injuries. Studies have shown that with a proper mouth device that is custom fitted and balanced can improve your performance and protect your teeth. Not all dental mouth guards are the same! The Northfield Dental Group has been fabricating different mouth guards and performance devices for athletes over the past 15 years. Our doctors can show you what device is best for the sport you play.
In some sports, injury prevention, through properly fitted mouthguards are considered essential. These are the contact sports of football, boxing, martial arts and hockey. Other sports, traditionally classified as non contact sports, basketball, baseball, bicycle riding, roller blading, soccer, wrestling, racquetball, surfing and skateboarding also require properly fitted mouthguards, as dental injuries unfortunately, are a negative aspect of participation in these sports.
The National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries, reports several interesting statistics. Dental injuries are the most common type of oral facial injuries sustained during participation in sports. Victims of tooth avulsions who do not have the teeth properly preserved or replanted will face lifetime dental costs estimated from $10-15,000 per tooth, the inconvenience of hours spent in the dental chair and possibly other dental problems. (See "What to do when a tooth is knocked out" Section)
Treatment of oral/facial injuries, simple or complex, is to include not only treatment of injuries at the dental office, but also treatment at the site of injury, such as a basketball court or football or rugby field, where the dentist may not have the convenience of all the diagnostic tools available at their office. Knowledge and ability to do "on site" differential diagnosis is essential, withoutthe use of radiographs and dental operatories, to determine the future treatment and prognosis of the injury.
Preseason screenings and examinations are essential in preventing injuries. Examinations are to include health histories, at risk dentitions, diagnosis of caries, maxilla/mandibular relationships, orthodontics, loose teeth, dental habits, crown and bridge work, missing teeth, artificial teeth, and the possible need for extractions for orthodontic concerns or wisdom teeth. These extractions should be done months prior to playing competitive sports as to not interfere with their competition or weaken their jaws during competition. Determination of the need for a specific type and design of mouthguard is made at this time.
Mouthguard design and fabrication is extremely important. There are four types of mouthguards according to the dental literature. Stock, Boil and Bite, Vacuum Custom made, and Pressure Laminated Custom made. (See Mouth Guards Section)
