One of the most unfortunate dental injuries is also one of the most preventable. Each year, thousands of dental injuries occur during participation in contact sports. Some of these injuries result in loss of teeth, fracture of teeth (often requiring root canal therapy), and damage to the joints of the jaws. The treatment for these injuries can prove to be tedious, expensive and unpredictable.
The majority of these injuries occur in school or community sports competitions. With a properly fitted athletic guard, most of these injuries can be prevented. While hundreds of dollars are spent on the best equipment, parents and athletes often spend minimal amounts on ill-fitting, “off the shelf” athletic guards that often prove uncomfortable and ineffective. We fabricate custom fitted athletic guards in a variety of designs and materials that are specific for the sport. The athletic guard for the adult who is competing in kick karate is quite different from the one made for the ten year old aspiring to be the next Patriot’s quarterback.
A seemingly simple fracture of a single front tooth often follows this scenario:
And it’s not over yet! The crown will, on average, need to be replaced at least 2 times. Nearly half of these teeth fail over time and will require replacement with a bridge or an implant. The total cost for the above scenario can exceed $5 - 7,000 !! Speak to your dentist in the practice for more information. He will explain the options available for your specific needs.