NEET MDS Lessons
Pedodontics
Classification of Mouthguards
Mouthguards are essential dental appliances used primarily in sports to protect the teeth, gums, and jaw from injury. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established a classification system for athletic mouthguards, which categorizes them into three types based on their design, fit, and level of customization.
Classification of Mouthguards
ASTM Designation: F697-80 (Reapproved 1986)
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Type I: Stock Mouthguards
- Description: These are pre-manufactured mouthguards that come in standard sizes and shapes.
- Characteristics:
- Readily available and inexpensive.
- No customization for individual fit.
- Typically made from a single layer of material.
- May not provide optimal protection or comfort due to their generic fit.
- Usage: Suitable for recreational sports or activities where the risk of dental injury is low.
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Type II: Mouth-Formed Mouthguards
- Description: Also known as "boil-and-bite" mouthguards, these are made from thermoplastic materials that can be softened in hot water and then molded to the shape of the wearer’s teeth.
- Characteristics:
- Offers a better fit than stock mouthguards.
- Provides moderate protection and comfort.
- Can be remolded if necessary, allowing for some customization.
- Usage: Commonly used in youth sports and activities where a higher risk of dental injury exists.
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Type III: Custom-Fabricated Mouthguards
- Description: These mouthguards are custom-made by dental professionals using a dental cast of the individual’s teeth.
- Characteristics:
- Provides the best fit, comfort, and protection.
- Made from high-quality materials, often with multiple layers for enhanced shock absorption.
- Tailored to the specific dental anatomy of the wearer, ensuring optimal retention and stability.
- Usage: Recommended for athletes participating in contact sports or those at high risk for dental injuries.
Summary of Preference
- The classification system is based on an ascending order of preference:
- Type I (Stock Mouthguards): Least preferred due to lack of customization and fit.
- Type II (Mouth-Formed Mouthguards): Moderate preference, offering better fit than stock options.
- Type III (Custom-Fabricated Mouthguards): Most preferred for their superior fit, comfort, and protection.
Anomalies of Number: problems in initiation stage
Hypodontia: 6% incidence; usually autosomal dominant (50% chance of passing to children) with variable expressivity (e.g., parent has mild while child has severe); most common missing permanent tooth (excluding 3rd molars) is Md 2nd premolar, 2nd most common is X lateral; oligodontia (at least 6 missing), and anodontia
1. Clincial implications: can interfere with function, lack of teeth → ↓ alveolar bone formation, esthetics, hard to replace in young children, implants only after growth completed, severe cases should receive genetic and systemic evaluation to see if other problems
2. Syndromes with hypodontia: Rieger syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, Kabuki syndrome, Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa junctionalis, and ectodermal dysplasia (usually X-linked; sparse hair, unable to sweat, dysplastic nails)
Supernumerary teeth: aka hyperdontia; mesiodens when located in palatal midline; occur sporadically or as part of syndrome, common in cleft cases; delayed eruption often a sign that supernumeraries are preventing normal eruption
1. Multiple supernumerary teeth: cleidocranial dysplasia/dysostosis, Down’s, Apert, and Crouzon syndromes, etc.
Anomalies of Size: problems in morphodifferentiation stage
Microdontia: most commonly peg laterals; also in Down’s syndrome, hemifacial microsomia
Macrodontia: may be associated with hemifacial hypertrophy
Fusion: more common in primary dentition; union of two developing teeth
Gemination: more common in primary; incomplete division of single tooth bud → bifid crown, one pulp chamber; clinically distinguish from fusion by counting geminated tooth as one and have normal # teeth present (not in fusion)
Anomalies of Shape: errors during morphodifferentiation stage
Dens evaginatus: extra cusp in central groove/cingulum; fracture can → pulp exposure; most common in Orientals
Dens in dente: invagination of inner enamel epithelium → appearance of tooth within a tooth
Taurodontism: failure of Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath to invaginate to proper level → elongated (deep) pulp chamber, stunted roots; sporadic or associated with syndrome (e.g., amelogenesis imperfecta, Trichodento-osseous syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia)
Conical teeth: often associated with ectodermal dysplasia
Anomalies of Structure: problems during histodifferentiation, apposition, and mineralization stages
Dentinogenesis imperfecta: problem during histodifferentiation where defective dentin matrix → disorganized and atubular circumpulpal dentin; autosomal dominant inheritance; three types, one occurs with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone syndrome); not sensitive despite exposed dentin; primary dentition has bulbous crowns, obliterated pulp chambers, bluish-grey or brownish-yellow teeth that are easily worn; permanent teeth often stained but can be sound
Amelogenesis imperfecta: heritable defect, independent from metabolic, syndromes, or systemic conditions (though similar defects seen with syndromes or environmental insults); four main types (hypoplastic, hypocalcified, hypomaturation, hypoplastic/hypomaturation with taurodontism); proper treatment addresses sensitivity, esthetics, VDO, caries and gingivitis prevention
Enamel hypoplasia: quantitative defect of enamel from problems in apposition stage; localized (caused by trauma) or generalized (caused by infection, metabolic disease, malnutrition, or hereditary disorders) effects; more common in malnourished children; least commonly Md incisors affected, often 1st molars; more susceptible to caries, excessive wearing → lost VDO, esthetic problems, and sensitivity to hot/cold
Enamel hypocalcification: during calcification stage
Fluorosis: excess F ingestion during calcification stage → intrinsic stain, mottled appearance, or brown staining and pitting; mild, moderate, or severe; porous enamel soaks up external stain