DENTAL

MATERIALS
Sai Liu
liusaisay@163.com
 DENTAL MATERIALS (口腔材料）

Attendance
Non-core
10%

20% Performance in class

Final exam 70%

 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESTORATIVE DENTAL
MATERIALS
• Restorative dental materials are used to prevent or repair damage to
teeth caused by oral disease or trauma.

• The dental auxiliary plays an important role in the delivery of care to

repair damage to teeth from oral disease and trauma.
 DENTAL DISEASE AND RESTORATIVE MATERIALS

• Damage to teeth may occur from infectious disease, trauma,

systemic disease, or congenital disease.

Caries (龋齿)

Infectious disease
(Bacteria)
Periodontal Disease (牙周病)
 DENTAL CARIES

• Caries is caused by a bacterial

biofilm commonly called plaque,
which accumulates on teeth in areas
where patients do not remove it.
• Leads to significant destruction of
teeth, pain, systemic infection, and
tooth loss
 DENTAL CARIES

• Remains a problem in all countries,

particularly in children
• Over a period of months
• Can be fatal
• Extraction of the tooth commonly
 PERIODONTAL DISEASE
• Periodontal disease also is caused by a
bacterial biofilm, although the strains
of bacteria in the biofilm are different
from those that cause caries.
• Affects the tissues supporting the teeth,
including the gingiva, periodontal
ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone.
 PERIODONTAL DISEASE
• Occurs over many years rather than months.
• Initially, only inflame the gingiva, but NOT
the hard tissues.
• Over time, the chronic inflammation causes
periodontitis.
• Exposed root dentin is often sensitive
(dentin hypersensitivity).
• Ultimately, the tooth is lost.
 TRAUMA, SYSTEMIC DISEASE, AND
GENETIC DISORDERS
• Trauma (创伤) may fracture only the enamel
or dentin or may cause a fracture of the tooth
that involves the pulp or alveolar bone.
• Teeth (牙) may be completely lost (avulsion)
or displaced in any direction.
• Restorative materials are used to repair teeth,
stabilize them until the supporting tissues heal,
or replace them.
 TRAUMA, SYSTEMIC DISEASE, AND
GENETIC DISORDERS
• Systemic disease sometimes destroys
teeth and oral tissues, and restorative
Oral cancer
materials are used to repair this damage.
Gastric reflux of
• Head and neck cancer, osteoporosis, acids

diabetes, fluorosis, gastric reflux of Diabetes

acids.
Fluorosis
 TRAUMA, SYSTEMIC DISEASE, AND
GENETIC DISORDERS

• Genetic disorders are another significant

cause of oral disease that requires the use
of restorative dental materials.
• In these patients, nearly every tooth will
require restoration.
A patient with the genetic condition
of amelogenesis imperfecta.
RESTORATION OF DAMAGED TEETH

Intracoronal Extracoronal

• Two basic types of restorations:

intracoronal and extracoronal.
 RESTORATION OF DAMAGED TEETH

Extracoronal
If the damage to the tooth involves the pulpal or Intracoronal

periapical tissues, then endodontic treatments

are used in addition to these restorations.
Endodontic treatment
 INTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS

• Intracoronal restorations are used to repair

damage that is restricted to the internal
parts of the tooth.
• Nearly always caused by caries but is
occasionally caused by trauma.
 INTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS

• For intracoronal restorations, the tooth

is first surgically prepared to receive the
restoration, a process commonly
referred to as cavity preparation.
• Cavity preparation (窝洞预备) removes
diseased or damaged tissue and creates
a space that is accessible for restoration
and able to stably retain the restoration. Intracoronal Cavity preparations
(窝洞预备）
INTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS
Amalgam
• Cavity preparations may be
restored with materials such as Gold foil
resin composites (Chapter 4),
amalgam (Chapter 5), cast alloys
(Chapters 11 and 12), ceramics Cast gold Composite
(Chapter 14), or less often by
gold foil (Chapter 11).
EXTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS

• Extracoronal restorations are used to restore

teeth with more extensive damage that
cannot be managed with intracoronal
restorations.
EXTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS

• Extracoronal surgical tooth

preparations are much more
aggressive (less conservative)
than intracoronal preparations .

Extracoronal tooth preparations

（牙体预备）
 EXTRACORONAL RESTORATIONS
• Crowns (冠), onlays (高嵌体), and veneers (瓷贴
面) are examples of extracoronal restorations.
• Fabrication of dies involves making impressions
(Chapter 8) and pouring the impressions with a
model or die material (Chapter 9). Fabricating the
restoration on the die may involve waxes
(Chapter 10), casting alloys (Chapters 11 and 12),
polymers (Chapters 4 and 13), ceramics (Chapter
14).
 ENDODONTIC TREATMENT
(牙髓治疗 or 根管治疗）
• Endodontic treatment is necessary
if oral disease or trauma involves
the pulp of the tooth. The pulpal
tissues are removed, and the
resulting space is cleaned and
sealed with restorative materials.
 REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR MISSING TEETH

• In the event that trauma or disease

has led to the loss of one or more • Partial Tooth Loss (Partial Edentulism)
teeth, restorative materials play a • Loss of All Teeth (Edentulism,牙列缺失)
major role in replacing the
function and esthetics of the
missing teeth.
 PARTIAL TOOTH LOSS
(PARTIAL EDENTULISM)
• Bridge, Dental implants and
Removable partial denture
• Bridges are always made using indirect
techniques and are fabricated from alloys,
alloy–ceramic combinations, or ceramics alone
(Chapters 11, 12, and 14). “Arms” from the
pontic are bonded to the enamel of the
abutment teeth via a resin-based cement
(Chapter 7).
Bridges
 PARTIAL TOOTH LOSS
(PARTIAL EDENTULISM)
• Endosseous implants are
increasingly used to manage the
restoration of missing teeth and
have reduced the need for bridges
and partial dentures.
• Dental implants are fabricated from
special titanium-based alloys (钛
合金) or ceramics (陶瓷).
 PARTIAL TOOTH LOSS
(PARTIAL EDENTULISM)
• If multiple teeth are missing in multiple
locations, then a removable partial Acrylic teeth
denture (义齿) may be indicated.
• Partial dentures use a framework of
stiff alloy (Chapters 2 and 11).
• Acrylic teeth (塑料牙) (Chapter 13)
are then bonded to the framework
Alloy framework
 LOSS OF ALL TEETH
(EDENTULISM)
• Patients who have lost all teeth in an
arch are described as edentulous for
that arch. The edentulous patient will
require a complete denture to restore
function and fulfill esthetic needs.
• The complete denture is composed of
an acrylic polymer.(Chapter 13)
 PREVENTION OF DISEASE AND TRAUMA
Fluoride gels, rinses, and varnishes are highly effective at preventing
caries (Chapter 3). Fluorides also have been incorporated into direct
esthetic filling materials (Chapter 4) and cements (Chapter 7).
If teeth have deep fissures and pits that are at high risk for decay, sealants
are highly effective at reducing the development of caries (Chapter 3).
Disease prevention by cleaning the teeth with various abrasives (Chapter
6).
To prevent trauma, mouth protectors or night guards are often
used(Chapters 2 and 3).
 CHAPTER 2
PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
（材料性能）

Sai Liu
liusaisay@163.com
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF
DENTAL MATERIAS Atoms (原子)
• The atom is the basic building block
of materials. Every atom consists of a
nucleus of protons (positively
charged) and neutrons (no charge)
surrounded by clouds of electrons
(negatively charged).
• The atomic number determines the
element.
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF
DENTAL MATERIAS Bonds between Atoms

• Primary Bonds
• Ionic Bonds (离子键) are formed when an electron
from one element is given completely to another in
return for forming the bond.
• Covalent Bonds (共价键) form when atoms share
electrons to form a bond.
• Metallic Bonds (金属键) result when electrons are
shared among
• many atoms
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF
DENTAL MATERIAS Bonds between Atoms
• Secondary Bonds
• Van Der Waals Forces (范德华力): Defined as weak, short-range electrostatic
attractive forces between uncharged molecules, arising from the interaction of
permanent or transient electric dipole moments.
• Hydrogen Bonds (氢键): It is a relatively weak bond that hydrogen atoms make
with the electronegative atoms nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine.
• The type of bonding among atoms in restorative dental materials largely determines
their physical, chemical, and clinical properties.
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF Molecules and Crystals
DENTAL MATERIAS （分子和晶体）
• Molecules are formed when several
different elements bond together into a
discrete unit. Crystals

• Crystals are vast repeating arrays of

bonded elements. They can be defined
as any arrangement of atoms in space
such that every atom is situated similar
to every atom.
BASIC TYPES OF DENTAL MATERIALS

• Restorative dental materials

may be divided into three
major classes: alloys(合金),
ceramics( 陶 瓷 ), and
polymers(高分子材料).
• Composite( 复 合 材 料 )
materials result when at least
two of these three classes
occur together in a material.
PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

• Dimensional change
• Electrical properties
• Solubility and sorption
• Mechanical properties
• Color and optical qualities
• Biological properties
PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
DIMENSIONAL CHANGE
（尺寸变化）
• Dimensional change is the percentage of shrinkage or expansion of a
material.
• The dimensional change usually is expressed as a percentage of an
original length or volume.
• Linear dimensional change formula:
DIMENSIONAL CHANGE Thermal Dimensional Change
• Restorative dental materials are subjected to temperature changes in the mouth.
• A differential expansion occurs that may result in leakage of oral fluids
between the restoration and the tooth.
• To make a comparison between materials easier, the linear thermal expansion
is expressed as a coefficient of thermal expansion.
DIMENSIONAL CHANGE Thermal Dimensional Change
• The linear thermal coefficient
of expansion (LTCE) of a
material is a measure of how
much it expands per unit length
if heated 1 degree higher.
• Ideally the LTCE of a
restorative material should be
close to that of tooth structure.
 THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
• Thermal conductivity has been used
as a measure of the heat transferred
and is related to the rate of heat flow.
• Thermal conductivity is defined as the
number of calories per second
flowing through an area of 1 cm2 in
which the temperature drop along the
length of the specimen is 1° C/cm.
 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
• Two electrical properties of interest are
galvanism and corrosion.
• Galvanism results from the presence of
dissimilar metals in the mouth.
• Galvanism is the generation of electrical
currents that the patient can feel.
• Corrosion is the dissolution of metals in the Diagrammatic sketch of opposing teeth with a
mouth. gold crown and a temporary aluminum alloy
crown indicating how galvanism can occur.
SOLUBILITY AND SORPTION
• Solubility and sorption are reported in
two ways: (1) in weight percentage of • Absorption refers to the uptake of
soluble or sorbed material and (2) as liquid by the bulk solid.
the weight of dissolved or sorbed
material per unit of surface area (e.g.,
milligrams per cm2).
 WETTABILITY
• Wettability is a measure of the affinity of a liquid
for a solid as indicated by spreading of a drop.
• If a low contact angle occurs, the solid is wetted
readily by the liquid (hydrophilic if the liquid is
water). If a contact angle is greater than 90°
(obtuse angle), poor wetting occurs (hydrophobic
if the liquid is water).
• The degree of wetting depends on the relative
surface energies of the solids and the liquids and
on their intermolecular attraction.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES(力学性能)

• A mechanical property is the

behavior of the material when it’s
linked to the application of force.
The mechanical properties of a
material describe how it will react to
physical forces.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Stress(应力)
• When a force acts on the body, tending to produce
deformation, a resistance is developed within the
body to this external force. The internal resistance
of the body to the external force is called stress.
• Stress is the force per unit area.
• For a given force, the smaller the area over which
it is applied, the larger the value of the stress.
 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Stress(应力)

• Several types of stress may

result when a force is
applied to a material. These
forces are referred to as
compressive, tensile, shear,
twisting moment, and
bending moment (flexure).
 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Strain (应变)
• If the stress (internal resistance) produced
is not sufcient to withstand the external
force (load) the body undergoes a change in
shape (deformation). Each type of stress is
capable of producing a corresponding
deformation in the body.
• Strain is the change in length per unit
length of a material produced by stress.
 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Stress–Strain Curves

• A plot of the corresponding

values of stress and strain is
referred to as a stress–strain
curve.
• The shape and magnitude of
the stress–strain curve are
important in the selection of
dental materials.
 Elastic Modulus
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (弹性模量)

• Elastic Modulus represents the

relative stiffness or rigidity of the
material within the elastic range.
• Equal to the ratio of the stress to the
strain in the linear or elastic portion of
the stress–strain curve.
 Elastic Modulus
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (弹性模量)

• Elastic Modulus represents the

relative stiffness or rigidity of the
material within the elastic range.
• Equal to the ratio of the stress to the
strain in the linear or elastic portion of
the stress–strain curve.
 MECHANICAL Proportional Limit (比例极限)
PROPERTIES and Yield Strength(屈服强度)
• The proportional limit is the stress on the
stress–strain curve when it ceases to be linear
or when the ratio of the stress to the strain is
no longer proportional.
• The yield strength is the stress at some
arbitrarily selected value of permanent strain.
• Materials are said to be elastic in their
function below the proportional limit or yield
strength and to function in a plastic manner
above these stresses.
 MECHANICAL Proportional Limit (比例极限)
PROPERTIES and Yield Strength(屈服强度)
• The proportional limit is the stress on the
stress–strain curve when it ceases to be linear
or when the ratio of the stress to the strain is
no longer proportional.
• The yield strength is the stress at some
arbitrarily selected value of permanent strain.
• Materials are said to be elastic in their
function below the proportional limit or yield
strength and to function in a plastic manner
above these stresses.
 MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES Ultimate Strength (屈服强度)
• The stress at which fracture occurs is
called the ultimate strength.
• If the fracture occurs from tensile
stress, the property is called the
tensile strength; if in compression,
the compressive strength; and if in
shear, the shear strength.
 MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES Ultimate Strength (屈服强度)
• The stress at which fracture occurs is
called the ultimate strength.
• If the fracture occurs from tensile
stress, the property is called the
tensile strength; if in compression,
the compressive strength; and if in
shear, the shear strength.
 MECHANICAL Elongation(延伸)and
PROPERTIES Compression(压缩)
• The amount of deformation that a material can
withstand before rupture is reported as the percent Elongation
elongation when the material is under tensile stress percentage

=
or the percent compression when it is under
compressive stress. [(L1-L0)/L0]×100%
• The percents of elongation and compression are
important properties in that they are measures of
ductility and malleability, respectively.
 Resilience (回弹性)
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES and Toughness (韧性)
• Resilience and toughness indicate the energy absorbed up to the
proportional limit and the ultimate strength, respectively, and
relate to the resistance to deformation and fracture under impact.
• The energy required to deform a material permanently is a
criterion of its resilience, whereas the energy necessary to
fracture a material is a measure of its toughness.
• Two materials may have the same resilience, with one having
high yield strength and low corresponding strain and the other
having lower yield strength and higher corresponding strain.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Hardness (硬度)

• Hardness is the resistance of a

material to indentation.
• The hardness of dental
materials generally is reported
in Knoop hardness.
 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Strain–Time Curves
• For materials (alginate and elastomeric
impression materials, dental amalgam, and
human dentin) in which the strain is
dependent on the time the load is maintained,
strain–time curves are more useful than
stress–strain curves.
• The strengths of such materials are also
dependent on the rate of application of the
load. Higher tensile strengths result at more
rapid rates of applying the load. As a result, it
is recommended that alginate impressions be
removed from the mouth in a rapid motion.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Dynamic Properties

• The properties at extremely high rates of

loading.
• They are important in the evaluation of
materials such as athletic mouth protectors.
• Properties of particular importance are the
dynamic modulus and dynamic resilience.
 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Dynamic Properties
• The dynamic modulus is a measure of the
stiffness of the material at a high rate of strain
and is important for mouth protector
materials for which the mechanical properties
are strain–rate dependent.
• The dynamic resilience measures the energy
absorbed at high rates of strain such as from a
blow to an athletic mouth protector.
 QUICK REVIEW
• The atom is the basic building block of materials.
• There are three primary bonds between atoms: Ionic Bonds, Covalent Bonds, Metallic Bonds.
• Restorative dental materials may be divided into three major classes: alloys, ceramics, and
polymers.
• The properties of materials are major criteria for the performance of dental materials in service.
• Thermal conductivity is important as a measure of how much heat and cold are transmitted to
pulpal and soft tissues under restorations.
• Electrical properties are important in terms of galvanic currents generated by dissimilar metals
and the discomfort they cause patients.
 QUICK REVIEW

• Solubility is especially important in regard to cements that hold restorations in place.

• Wetting of dental materials by liquids is important in the processing of dental materials and in
their relation to saliva in the mouth.
• Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a material to indentation and scratching.
• Elastic modulus indicates the stiffness of a material, yield strength the stress it can withstand
before permanent deformation, ultimate strength the stress required to fracture a material, and
elongation its ductility.
• Toughness measures the energy needed to fracture a material, and it is important for materials
such as denture resins to withstand the shock of being accidentally dropped without breaking.
 CHAPTER 3
PREVENTIVE DENTAL MATERIALS
（预防性牙科材料）

Sai Liu
liusaisay@163.com
CHAPTER 3
PREVENTIVE DENTAL MATERIALS
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CHAPTER 3
PREVENTIVE DENTAL MATERIALS
FLUORIDE GELS, FOAMS, RINSES, AND
• The Supreme Healer VARNISHES
Cures the Illness
• Composition
that is Still Obscure.（上医治未病）
• Properties
• Preventive dental • Manipulation
materials are
designed to prevent PIT
disease or injury
AND FISSURE SEALANTS(封闭剂)
• Composition
to the teeth and supporting tissues.and Reaction
• Properties
• Manipulation of Sealants

MOUTH PROTECTORS
• Types and Composition
• Properties
• Fabrication of Mouth Protectors
 FLUORIDE GELS, FOAMS, RINSES,
AND VARNISHES

• The fluoride ion can lower the incidence of Acidulated phosphate-fluoride

dental caries. (APF)

• Methods to accomplish topical application Fluoride Sodium fluoride

treatments
of fluoride are the use of gels in trays, rinses,
and varnishes. Stannous fluoride
COMPOSITION APF

• Commercial acidulated phosphate-fluoride (APF, 12,300 ppm fluoride) gels

contain 2% (or 2.6%) sodium fluoride, 0.34% (or 0.16%) hydrogen fluoride,
and 0.98% phosphoric acid with thickening, flavoring, and coloring agents in
an aqueous gel.
• APF products are contraindicated for patients with tooth hypersensitivity—
they can cause erosion and worsen the hypersensitivity.
COMPOSITION SODIUM FLUORIDE

• Sodium fluoride is neutral. The pH is adjusted to between 6 and 8.

• Contains sodium fluoride and thickening agents (polyacrylic acid
and a gum).
COMPOSITION VARNISHES

• Varnishes containing 5% sodium fluoride.

• Some products also contain amorphous calcium phosphate
(ACP), which contributes to remineralization of enamel.

• Varnishes is effective in reducing orthodontic decalcification.

COMPOSITION STANNOUS FLUORIDE

• Stannous fluoride products are effective in providing fluoride but

can cause staining of tooth surfaces and restorations.
 PROPERTIES

Characteristics of Different Types of Fluoride

Treatments
• The pH of sodium fluoride is neutral.
Acidulated Sodium Stannous
Characteristic
NO etch nor stain restorations. phosphate fluoride fluoride fluoride

• Both APF and Stannous fluoride are Form Gel, rinse, foam Gel, rinse, foam Gel, rinse

acidic. APF can etch restorations. Acidity (pH) Acidic Neutral Acidic
Stannous fluoride can etch and stain Can etch
Yes No Yes
restorations?
restorations.
Can stain
No No Yes
restorations?
 MANIPULATION

Fluoride foams and gels

Soft, spongy trays.

The teeth are kept as free.
Placed in position.
Bite lightly for 4 minutes.
Do not eat for 30 minutes.
MANIPULATION

Fluoride Varnishes
 PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS (封闭剂）

• Fluoride gels, foams, rinses,

and varnishes have not been completely
effective in reducing the incidence of
dental caries in pits and fissures.
• The uniqueness of pit and fissure caries is
a result of the special anatomy of the
occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth.
• 84% of dental caries in children 5 to 17
years of age involve pits.

Grooves and fissures in the occlusal surface of a tooth

PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS (封闭剂）

• The purpose of a pit and fissure sealant is to penetrate all cracks, pits,
and fissures on the occlusal surfaces of both deciduous and permanent
teeth in an attempt to seal off these susceptible areas and to provide
effective protection against caries.
COMPOSITION AND REACTION

• Commercial pit and fissure sealants are resins.

• Most are visible light-activated sealants.

Visible Light-Activated Sealants

Sealants

Amine-Accelerated Sealants
COMPOSITION AND REACTION

• The chemistry of sealants is similar to that of the composite

restorative materials that are discussed in Chapter 4.
• The principal difference is that sealants are more fluid to
penetrate the pits and fissures in addition to the etched areas
produced on the enamel, which provide for retention of the
sealant.
 COMPOSITION AND REACTION

• Visible Light-Activated Sealants are initiated by activation of a

diketone in the presence of an organic amine with the visible light.
• Amine-Accelerated Sealants are initiated by activation of a benzoyl
peroxide initiator in the presence of organic amine accelerator.
 PROPERTIES

• Filling the fissure completely is

difficult because air frequently
is trapped in the bottom of the
fissure (A), or the accumulation
of debris at the base of the
fissure prevents it from being
sealed completely (B). Section showing a fissure incompletely filled with sealant as a
result of air (A) and debris (B)
 PROPERTIES

• Acid etching of the enamel surface improves the retention of

the sealant by cleaning the area to be sealed, improving the
wettability of the enamel, increasing the surface area, and
forming spaces into which the sealant can penetrate to form
tags.
MANIPULATION OF SEALANTS
• The technique for handling sealants involves six basic steps :
• 1. cleansing and etching the occlusal surfaces
• 2. washing these areas
• 3. drying them
• 4. applying the sealant to the pit and fissure
• 5. polymerizing
• 6. finishing
 VISIBLE LIGHT-ACTIVATED
SEALANTS

• The washed surface of

the tooth is dried for 15
seconds with an air
syringe. This step is
critical to the success of
the sealant because
moisture interferes with
the retention of the
sealant by the fissure.
AMINE-ACCELERATED
SEALANTS

• The procedure for manipulating these sealants is similar to that just

described for sealants polymerized by visible light.
• These sealants require mixing of the base and initiator components.
These components are mixed thoroughly to ensure that polymerization is
homogeneous but are mixed gently to minimize incorporation of air.
 MOUTH PROTECTORS (口腔防护器)

• All players of contact sports are

recommended to use mouth protectors.
 TYPES AND COMPOSITION

Stock

Mouth protector Mouth formed protector

Custom made protector

All reduces oral injuries.

Players prefer custom-made protectors.
 TYPES AND COMPOSITION

• Custom-made mouth protectors are generally formed from thermoplastic

polymers supplied in the form of clear or colored sheets.
• The most common material used in custom-made protectors is a poly
(vinyl acetate)-polyethylene polymer, also called ethylene vinyl acetate
(EVA).
• Other products have used polyurethane, latex rubber, and a vinyl plastisol.
 PROPERTIES
• After exposure to the oral environment, the mouth protector becomes more
flexible and better able to absorb an impact (energy) but has less strength in
tension than previously.
• Compared with the poly(vinyl acetate)-polyethylene material, the polyurethanes
possess higher strength, hardness, and energy absorption but also have
higher values of water sorption and require higher processing temperatures.
• In general, poly (vinyl acetate)-polyethylene materials are the easiest to
fabricate.
 PROPERTIES
Example of a deteriorated mouth protector
• A thickness of 4 mm of material over incisal edges and cusps of teeth is
recommended for best protection and acceptable comfort.
• Mouth protectors should be evaluated for breakdown on a game-to-game basis
and replaced when necessary.
 FABRICATION OF MOUTH PROTECTORS
• Four basic steps:
• 1. Taking an impression of the arch
• 2. Pouring a model
• 3. Forming the thermoplastic material
over the model
• 4. Finishing the mouth protector.
 QUICK REVIEW
• Fluoride gels, rinses, and varnishes, pit and fissure sealants, and mouth protectors are
preventive dental.
• Fluoride treatments are effective in lowering the incidence of dental caries depending
on the method and frequency of application.
• Pits and fissures are responsible for the majority of dental caries in children. Sealants
are effective in preventing caries when properly applied and completely retained.
• Players prefer custom-made protectors. Mouth protectors should be evaluated for
breakdown frequently and replaced when necessary.