Science + Tech


"WE MAKE CUSTOM MOUTHGUARDS USING 3D TECHNOLOGY. EMPOWERING PROTECTION, PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY FOR THE MODERN ATHLETE."


Improving the Basics: How we have re-invented a "Better" Boil and Bite

GuardLab is a revolutionary custom mouthguard company that utilizes 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies to create premium, innovative products.  Our latest product is the patent-pending APEX™ Guard.


We studied thousands of digital scans to find the optimal shape and size of a properly fitted mouthguard. Using these findings, we created digital teeth to pre-indent each guard with a natural bite pattern. 

"SEE the Difference, then FEEL the Difference in our APEX Guards. Featuring our Patent-Pending pre-indented APEX bite pattern."

APEX Bite Pattern
Look for our recognizable geometric 3D bite pattern inside every APEX Guard, which guarantees a close and precise fit.  


Our APEX Guards are designed to replicate the look and feel of a real custom guard.  You'll feel the difference in our material, the tapered top edges, and ergonomic comfort.


APEX™ Guards can be fully customized as well, using your own imagery or text to create a fully bespoke, custom designed mouthguard in our Online Customizer

     Digital Teeth developed using thousands of 3D Digital Scans




      ARC Technology: Engineered with Neuromuscular Science

       

      ARC ™ Technology exclusively by GuardLab

      • By using a proprietary methodology developed with two world class dentists, our ARC-PRO Guard is one of the most scientifically advanced mouthguards on the planet, engineered to align the jaw to improve overall posture and alignment by balancing the muscles of the head and neck and removing compensation and adaptation of muscles.
      • In neuromuscular science, a corrected balanced "bite" can reduce negative compensation by stabilizing the head, neck and jaw muscles, increasing reaction times and oxygenation, while reducing lactic acid in the body.
      • Individuals results are subjective but our ARC Technology is favored by many professional and elite athletes, looking to increase their performance, power and protection.
      • We use 3D scanners to capture every curve and ridge of your unique teeth, and we optimize your bite (the clenching motion that you naturally do when exerting power). Digital technology is proven to be the most accurate measurement possible.  Neuromuscular cushions are precisely and scientifically measured for each individual athlete by a comprehensive 3D Scan - which is only available by GuardLab

       ARC™ Lower Performance Guard

      the benefits, one,optimizes jaw alignment, two, stablizes neck,head and jaw, three, increases core strenght, four, protects against impact, five, improves balance and flexibility six, opens up the airways

         

        MOUTHGUARD PROTECTION

        “Do athletic mouthguards have a role in reducing the incidence and severity of cerebral concussion in sports?

        This is a controversial question now being asked by the sporting world, especially for high-impact sports such as hockey and football. The apparent increase in concussion rates has led to claims by dentists and over-the-counter mouthguard suppliers regarding the use and effectiveness of athletic mouthguards in reducing concussions. Numerous minor hockey leagues have introduced mouthguard rules as a possible result of concussion, rather than dental concerns.  Mouthguard companies should not make any claims stating concussions can be prevented, since there is no singular cause of injury.  

        Though anecdotal, there are three theories on the benefits of properly-fitting athletic mouthguards and the reduction of the incidence or severity of concussions. It should be noted that these are theories, which in most cases are not proven in medical/dental literature.

        1. Direct dissipation and/or absorption of force of an upward blow to the jaw.
        2. Increased separation of the head of the condyle and glenoid fossa.
        3. Increased head stabilization by activating and strengthening neck muscles. 

        1. Direct dissipation and/or absorption of force of an upward blow to the jaw.
        2. Increased separation of the head of the condyle and glenoid fossa.
        3. Increased head stabilization by activating and strengthening neck muscles.

         

        Dissipation of forces

        Mouthguard materials by nature must have shock absorption qualities. They must be resilient and yet soft enough to absorb impact energy and reduce transmitted forces. The thickness of mouthguard material is directly related to energy absorption and inversely related to transmitted forces when impacted. However, wearer comfort is also an important factor in their use. All teeth must be properly covered and the bite balanced accordingly. 

        Dr. John M. Stenger, co-founder of the American Academy of sports dentistry, and TMJ specialist, in 1964, reported that forces from mandibular impact would be attenuated with a mouthguard, resulting in fewer injuries. He discussed that mouth protectors reduced pressure changes and bone deformation within the skull in a cadaver model. He demonstrated a decrease of 50% in the amplitude of the intracranial pressure after a blow to the chin when wearing a mouthguard. 

        Increased Condylar Separation

        When a properly-fitted and bite balanced custom-made mouthguard is in place, there is a forward/downward movement of the jaw, thus opening the space between the glenoid fossa and the condylar head. This may reduce the opportunity for the condylar head to directly impact the glenoid fossa after an upward blow to the jaw, thus reducing the impact and acceleration forces to the entire temporal region. Again, while it might be advantageous to significantly open this space for protection, an excessive thickness of material on the biting surface might compromise both comfort and performance.

         

        “The force required to concuss a fixed head is almost twice that required to concuss a mobile head"
        — Dr. Karen Johnson, prominent Canadian concussion researcher

         

        Further, there is some correlation between the degree of rotation that the head goes through on impact and the severity of the concussion that might result.

        By activating additional head and neck muscles at the time of impact this arc of rotation might be decreased, leading to less harmful movement of the brain inside the skull. Some researchers have begun to show that by being able to clench down harder on a mouthguard the activation of the head and neck muscles might serve to stabilize the head. Some have suggested further that this effect might be in place whether or not the athlete sees the impact coming.

        If you have any questions regarding our science and technology, please contact us.