Sports Dentistry

Sports dentistry is the treatment and prevention of oral/facial athletic injuries and related oral diseases and manifestations. Prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing injuries that occur in sports. As the official dentists for the Chicago Blackhawks, we are well aware of the need to educate and maintain properly fitted protective equipment, as well as properly treating dental related sport injuries.

Injury prevention through properly fitted mouth guards are considered essential. Contact sports, such as football, boxing, martial arts and hockey — as well as non contact sports, basketball, baseball, bicycling, rollerblading, soccer, wrestling, racquetball, surfing and skateboarding, also require properly fitted mouth guards.

Dental injuries are the most common type of oral facial injuries sustained during participation sports. Victims of tooth avulsions who do not have teeth properly preserved or replanted could face lifetime dental costs, unnecessary hours spent in the dental chair and other related issues.

UAD's treatment of oral/facial injuries, simple or complex, is to include not only treatment at the dental office, but also treatment at the site of injury (as in the case of the Blackhawks). The knowledge and ability to diagnose is essential. Preseason screenings and examinations are essential in preventing injuries. Examinations include health histories, at risk dentitions, diagnosis of caries, maxilla/mandibular relationships, orthontics, loose teeth, dental habits, crown and bridge work, missing teeth and artificial teeth. This aids UAD in its ability to educate, maintain and recommend the proper mouth guard for each individual.

Mouth guard design and fabrication is extremely important. There are four types of mouth guards; stock, boil and bit, vacuum custom made and pressure laminated custom made. UAD recommends the use of properly diagnosed, designed and custom fabricated mouth guards. It must fit properly, be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing and have excellent retention, fit and sufficient thickness in critical areas.