This study aims to compare changes in the thickness of traditional and 3D-printed custom mouth guards in pediatric athletes who participate in contact sports. Specifically, it will assess the occlusal thickness changes between both types of mouth guards. The research will involve 56 children engaged in contact sports, and the evaluation will cover occlusal thickness, speech, oral functions, and cost-effectiveness over the course of one yea
This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Cairo International Stadium, involving healthy children aged 8 to 14 who actively participate in contact sports and require mouthguards for safety. Participants must be physically fit and cooperative. With parental consent, they will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: Group 1: Receives traditional custom-made mouthguards made from alginate impressions. Group 2: Receives 3D-printed custom-made mouthguards created using digital intraoral scans and CAD/CAM 3D printing technology. Primary Outcome: Changes in occlusal thickness will be measured at specific reference points on the occlusal surface using an Iwanson caliper. Measurements will be taken at baseline and again after 3 months.(7. Rossi, G. D., Lisman, P., \& Leyte-Vidal, M. A. (2007)) Secondary Outcomes: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to mouthguard use, assessed via a structured questionnaire (Vignesh et al., 2023). Cost-efficiency, evaluated using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). after one year. Changes in oral functions and speech, measured with a validated Likert-scale questionnaire (Mat Zainal et al., 2024), administered at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The trial aims to assess whether 3D-printed mouthguards offer equal or better protection against orofacial injuries compared to traditional mouthguards
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
56
Participants in the first group will receive 3D printed custom-made mouth guards
Participants in the active comparator arm will receive traditional custom-made mouth guards as an intervention
Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt
Occlusal thickness changes
This study will assess the wear patterns of both types of mouth guards in children participating in contact sports. The wear patterns will be measured by evaluating the thickness changes of the mouth guards over time using an Iwanson caliper (measured in millimeters, mm). This method will provide quantitative data on the durability and wear resistance of each type of mouth guard, helping to determine which type maintains its protective properties longer under the stress of regular use. The mouth guard thickness will be measured at two distinct time points (baseline and three months)
Time frame: Three months
Cost Efficiency of both mouth guards
This study will also assess the cost efficiency of both types of custom-made mouth guards by calculating the cost per unit, using the U.S Dollar (USD) as the unit of measurement. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio will be calculated after one year. The following equation will be used to measure the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (Sadatsafavi et al., 2009): ICER=(Mouth guard A cost- Mouth guard B cost)/(outcome of mouth guard A-Outcome of mouth guard B)
Time frame: One year
Changes Speech and in Oral Functions
Oral functions, such as speaking difficulty, lisping, nausea, bulkiness, and mouth dryness, will be evaluated using a validated questionnaire adapted from the study by Mat Zainal et al. (2024). This questionnaire will be administered at three separate time points: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
Time frame: Six months
Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of children toward mouthguards
The study will assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of children regarding mouth guard use for preventing orofacial injuries during contact sports. It will focus on their awareness of the risks associated with orofacial injuries, their understanding of mouth guards as a protective tool, and their current usage habits. A structured questionnaire, adapted from Vignesh et al. (2023), will be administered to all participants in both groups during the initial visit.
Time frame: Initial visit
Mahmoud Tawfik Elbably, Bachelor's degree of dentistry
CONTACT
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