Laboratory evaluation of mouthguard material

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the EVA material (polyvinylacetate-polyethylene copolymer) most commonly used in the fabrication of mouthguards and thus to help understand mouthguard performance and to improve mouthguard design. The material was tested for tensile strength, elongation, hardness and water absorption using specimens and tests described by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards. Standard EVA sheets of 1, 2, 3 and 5 mm thickness were prepared. With increase in the thickness of the material, both the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation were decreased. The hardness and water absorption were unaffected. It was concluded that, overall, the thicker 5 mm EVA material was recommended for mouthguards as it displayed the least deformation to load and performed equally as well in the tests as other thicknesses. © Munksgaard, 2001.