High performance mouthguard

Abstract

Described herein is a high performance mouthguard. Generally, the mouthguard includes a base that includes at least one facial wall, at least one lingual structure extending from the base such that the base, the facial wall, and the lingual structure define a trough having an inner surface, a heat-softenable material disposed in the inner surface, defining a channel, and at least one protrusion that includes a heat-softenable material projecting into the channel from the heat-softenable material disposed on the inner surface of at least one of the at least one facial wall and the at least one lingual structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mouthguard comprising:
 a base comprising at least one facial wall;   at least one lingual structure extending from the base such that the base, the facial wall, and the lingual structure define a trough having an inner surface;   a heat-softenable material disposed in the inner surface, defining a channel; and   at least one protrusion comprising a heat-softenable material projecting into the channel from the heat-softenable material disposed on the inner surface of at least one of: the at least one facial wall and the at least one lingual structure.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein the heat-softenable material of the protrusion is positioned so that, when the heat-softenable material is softened and the mouthguard is fitted over a user's dentition, the heat-softenable material of the protrusion infiltrates space between the user's teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the base, the at least one lingual wall, and at least one facial wall comprises a heat-softenable material. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of protrusions project from the heat-softenable material disposed on the inner surface of the facial wall. 
     
     
         5 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein at least one protrusion comprises a rounded surface facing toward the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein the heat-softenable material of at least one protrusion is greatest near the base and tapers as the protrusion extends along the wall. 
     
     
         7 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises one or more recesses positioned to accept one or more cusps of one or more of a user's teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein the facial wall comprises:
 a labial portion comprising a thickness; and 
 a lateral portion comprising a thickness; 
 
       wherein the thickness of the labial portion of the facial wall is greater than the thickness of the lateral portion of the facial wall. 
     
     
         9 . The mouthguard of  claim 1  wherein the facial wall comprises:
 a labial portion comprising a thickness; and 
 a posterior portion comprising a thickness; 
 
       wherein the thickness of the labial portion of the facial wall is greater than the thickness of the posterior portion of the facial wall.