CASE STUDY 1 EXAMCase Study 1: Mr Steven Taylor

Patient Number: 79164Advantage for a Custom fit Gum

Shield

Mr Steven Taylor

Mr Taylor’s case notes

Mr Taylor is 33. He recently started playing amateur rugby for his local pub team, to protect his teeth he decided to purchase an “off the shelf” sports gum shield from a local sports shop.

This appeared to work adequately until he received a nasty tackle that involved him getting hit in the mouth with another players elbow, this caused quite a lot of trauma to his mouth and two teeth were loosened in the process.

Mr Taylor’s case notes cont.

Mr Taylor visited his dentist for treatment regarding the injuries sustained. The damage to the teeth was not permanent and the trauma to the mouth would heal over time. The dentist advised Mr Taylor that he should have a custom made sports gum shield made if he was going to continue with playing rugby.

Mr Taylor considered the options and decided to go ahead with a custom made sports gum shield prescribed by the dentist.

Pros and cons of custom made to “off the shelf” gum shields

The following slides depict the pros and cons over the cheap to buy “off the shelf” gum shields to the expensive custom made variety.

“Off the shelf” gum shield

“Of the Shelf” gum shield

Advantages:

Inexpensive Purchased over the counter Ready for immediate use

“Off the Shelf” gum shield

Disadvantages: Thin occlusal layer Fast bite through No impressions for opposite arch Poor fitting Few obtainable sizes Impedance to breathing/speech Limited designs

Custom made gum shield

Custom Made gum shield

Advantages: Superior fit Superior protection/performance Obstruction to breathing/speech

minimised Custom designed Full adaptation allowing bite in occlusion Better retention

Custom Made gum shield

Disadvantages: Cost (expensive) Long lead time for manufacture Only as good as the impression and

model used

Custom made gum shield conclusion