High performance mouthguard

Abstract

Described herein is a high performance mouthguard. Generally, the mouthguard includes a tray formed from a non-softenable material. The tray generally includes an arched wall comprising a top, a bottom, a lingual surface, and a facial surface and, in addition to the arched wall, at least one generally vertical recess in at least a portion of the lingual surface. The mouthguard further includes a generally arched trough formed from a heat-softenable material. Generally, the trough includes an arched t wall comprising a lingual surface and a facial surface. Moreover, the trough includes at least one member protruding from the facial surface that is positioned and shaped to fit within the at least one recess of the tray.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mouthguard comprising:
 a tray formed from a non-softenable material and comprising:
 an arched wall comprising a top, a bottom, a lingual surface, and a facial surface; and 
 at least one generally vertical recess in at least a portion of the lingual surface; and 
   a generally arched trough formed from a heat-softenable material and comprising:
 an arched wall comprising a lingual surface and a facial surface; and 
 at least one member protruding from the facial surface positioned and shaped to fit within the at least one recess of the tray. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein at least one recess extends to the top of the lingual surface. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein at least one recess extends to the bottom of the lingual surface. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein a cross section of the recess defines:
 an opening in the lingual surface having a lingual surface width; and 
 a cavity having a cavity width that is generally parallel to the lingual surface width. 
 
     
     
         5 . The mouthguard of  claim 4  wherein the cavity width is greater than the surface width. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein a cross section of the recess defines:
 an opening in the lingual surface; and 
 a recess depth generally perpendicular to the lingual surface, wherein the recess depth is great enough to permit the tray to flex in a plane generally axial to the recess. 
 
     
     
         7 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein fit of the trough member into the tray recess reduces delamination of the trough from the tray.