Comparative Assessment of Thickness Changes in 3D-Printed vs. Custom-Made Mouth Guards for Children in Contact Sports

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)

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)

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.

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.