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If you wish to maximize your athletic performance and minimize your risk of concussion (MTBI) and dental injuries, you need a Maher appliance.
Concussion occurs from the three following events:
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1. Direct blow to the head.
2. Blow to the body, causing a whiplash acceleration/deceleration to the head and brain.
3. Direct blow to the lower jaw, the classic knockout punch in boxing. Direct blows to the jaw are common in many sports, which also can injure, fracture or knock out teeth. |
Concussion causes long term brain injury in some individuals, especially boxers and professional football players. We also know that the younger the athlete, the higher the risk of concussion and that the best cure for a concussion is to rest the body and the brain, both from physical and mental strain following MTBI.
I am currently the only dentist certified in Iowa to deliver the Maher series of mouthguards, which I believe to be the best athletic mouthguard on the market today and one that has been shown to decrease the incidence of "concussion" also known as "MTBI" (minor traumatic brain injury) which is a major problem in contact sports such as football. Soccer players also have high risk for MTBI. Although basketball players can suffer MTBI, their risk of dental injury is high and wearing a Maher appliance provides the best protection available.
Any athlete can wear a Maher appliance. There are three different appliance designs available based on the sport you play. Under Armour has recently released a "performance enhancing" mouthguard. I believe this appliance is inferior to the Maher series as it does not stabilize the lower jaw bone in it's optimum position, thereby reducing the risk of concussion. It's construction and durability is also inferior to the Maher appliances.
The Maher appliances are unique because they stabilize and optimize the position of the lower jawbone when the teeth are clenched, helping to decrease impact trauma to the brain during concussive events. Your specific jaw position is determined through dental examination, examination of your temporomandibular joints and x-rays if needed.
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