Growing up, I played every possible sport that could fit into my schedule, including multiple contact sports. I don’t think it was until I was elbowed in the face and the blood was pouring out of my mouth that my mom truly realized the risk of the contact sports. From that point on, I was the kid who always wore a mouth guard.

Most outside observers don’t realize the struggle of trying to get a kid to wear a mouth guard — especially when it doesn’t fit properly. I would fuss, whine and beg to not wear a mouth guard because it was either too tight, loose or bulky. Having a properly fitting mouth guard would have been my mother’s dream.

The use of properly fabricated, custom-made mouth guards has been shown to significantly reduce both the incidence and severity of orofacial injury in contact sports. AGD2018 will be hosting “Hands-on Fabrication of Pressure Thermoforming Appliances” in which participants will experience the difference between vacuum-made and pressure-made athletic mouth guards. The technique for pressure thermoforming, which provides the best combination of comfort and protection, will be presented, and participants will have the opportunity to fabricate and finish a pressure laminated mouth guard.

Register today!