Now that we have discussed how to choose a design that will work in the amount of space provided we need to discuss at what point do you send the design to me. As you can see there are over 100 designed guards on the website ranging from fangs to pictures of the last supper. When you first order a Python Mouth Guard you will receive an impression kit and a set of instructions. In the set of instructions you will notice that it tells you to download the lab script from the web site under the “Lab Script” link on the left side of the page. This lab script lets me know the color of the mouth guard along with a block that tells me what you want. After you fill out all of the information and have completed the impression you will then place everything inside of a box, at this time you can place any pictures of the graphic or a picture of a guard you have seen inside the box with all of the information. If you do have the electronic image of the graphic please send it to graphics.pg@gmail.com. The sooner you send the graphic to me the less time it will take to manufacture the guard. If you have a questionable graphic that you think may be difficult send it prior to ordering the guard. I rarely run into a situation that doesn’t work out but there is always the possibility of a graphic turning out incorrectly. We have added an extra step in the process which has improved our quality control greatly. Prior to the last clear layer being placed on the mouth guard we send a picture to you for verification so that you can see what the guard looks like prior to completion. I hope this answers all of your questions pertaining to graphics and the limitations of the graphics.

Python Guards starts with 2mm material that reduces itself to 1mm after heating. Instead of putting another 2mm material on top we start hand building just the outside of the guard (outside of teeth) until we reach the desired thickness while following the shape of the customer’s mouth. Once we reach the thickness desired we grind the guard until completely smooth. Then we place the colored material on top of the built up guard so that it seals the over the edges of the first layer. We then place the graphic on top followed by 2 mm clear material. The process we use is not followed by any other mouth guard company because it takes approximately 4 hours to manufacture 1 mouth guard and costs around $95.00. The thickness on the inside of the guard is around 2mm thick but most importantly it fits comfortably because we start with a thin layer. Because I have the clinical and practical knowledge from training as a fighter I understand exactly where mouth guards can be uncomfortable and overly thick but just as important I understand what is comfortable. I use MMA as an example because it is a sport that requires a huge amount of cardio but this same technique is used for all mouth guards manufactured by Python Guards. Dentists may not like what I’ve stated but it’s time for clients and customers to know what their purchasing and how mouth guards defer from manufacturer to manufacturer. My goal is to educate people thinking about purchasing mouth guards not sell them on how good Python’s custom mouth guards are. As long as individuals know exactly what their buying then I’ve done my job.

My job as a manufacturer of mouth guards is to design a mouth guard specifically for MMA. Mouth guards for MMA and boxing are designed specifically to distribute the blow through out the mouth instead of just at the point of impact. We take care in only building up the facial (outside) of the guard so that it isn’t thick on the inside, which causes most individuals to gag. Many manufacturers are just adding 2 3mm pieces of material to build up the guard. This is a very quick but inefficient way of manufacturing guards for sports such as MMA and boxing. A huge benefit of Python Guards design is that material is extended as far up as possible to protect the roots of the tooth. Like traditional boil and bite product many manufacturers are just going up slightly above the teeth which doesn’t do anything to keep the teeth in place when someone takes a shot to the face. Python Guards are not designed just for pro athletes at the top of their game, everyone can benefit whether you’re just getting into the sport, sparring or an amateur. The most ridiculous statement I hear from a fighter is, “I can’t afford a custom mouth guard”. The dental industry makes a ton of money on replacing teeth every year but many times you can’t just replace one tooth because it requires a 2 or 3 unit bridge, which destroys a tooth on either side. The standard cost of a 3-unit bridge is about $1200.00; the price of a Python Guard is around $95.00 so you do the math. It’s my job to manufacture the best and most functional mouth guard in the industry and I pride myself on the fact that we understand what our customers need and what they expect out of a mouth guard.

Pro Guard Plain – A single colored mouth guard

Pro Guard with text – A single colored mouth guard with a single name across the front, the text man is multi-colored.

Guard with multiple writing – A single colored mouth guard with as much text as you can fit on the mouth guard.

Guard with 2 color split – A 2 color guard that can be split vertically either in the center or off center. Price also includes text of choice.

Guard with custom logo – A single colored guard with your logo. The file with the logo is preferred in.ai,.eps, or a vector file, high-resolution jpg files are fine as well.

Marbled Guard – This guard design was originated by Python Guards. The guard has a single background color with a color swirled on top, see photo page for examples. Note: red looks pink on a white back ground.3-color split – You get a choice of 3 different colors to be placed on your guard. This style works really for individuals that want to mimic a country flag.

When you are in a sport like mma, boxing, hockey and other contact, you run the risk of injury in the oral region. There are many advantages of a custom guard versus a boil and bite. Boil and bite is not custom fit so often you see athletes play with their mouth piece. This is not good because the tighter the fit, the more solid as a whole the protection will be. A truly custom fit guard will have suction and you need to use your fingers to take out the appliance.

Another advantage of a custom versus boil and bite is that it is not as bulky. The benefit of this is better breathability. More oxygen intake directly impacts performance and that speech is still possible while wearing these type of guards. Improved performance is beneficial in all sports where an individual is wearing a mouth guard. Talking while wearing a guard is ideal for a quarterback needing to call out plays during a game.

Boil and bite mouth guards provide a false sense of a protection due to the dramatic decrease in thickness when the athlete bites it into place during its softened state. They do not fit as accurately as custom fabricated types. So often they are uncomfortable and athletes take it out when they can safely do so.

Here are some unique features why Python Guards™ are considered one of the best in the industry.

• Start with the smallest thickness as possible
• Each guard is hand layered
• Each guard takes 3-4 hours to make

We are a dental office that provides custom fit mouth guards manufactured by Python Guards™. We offer this customized product and unique in the sense that we do not mark up the price like other dental offices do. We provide a truly custom product that the normal consumer looking for this type of protection can afford. Prices start $95. For those that are not in our local area, the price includes a self impression kit with instructions. For those who are in our local area, you can come in to get your impressions for free since we are a premier distributor for Python Guards™.

Myth #1: There is some truth to this. Having something in place is better than not having anything at all. Let’s not forget the tooth is just not what you see when you smile. You need to be protected where the roots are as well so the higher up your appliance goes up, the more protected you are. Yes it is possible to buy a low-end model to stretch the material high enough for maximum protection, and I know there might be some people who would be willing to try after reading this article. This is not recommended unless you are willing to burn yourself.

Myth #2: Boil and bite is the least expensive and most commonly found out there in the market. You have to boil the material in water and then bite into place for it to conform to your teeth. Again, it does serve it’s purpose because having some protection is better than not having any at all. With the boil and bite, you do get what you pay for. You might burn yourself while you go through the process of forming the mouth guard to your teeth. It will be difficult to achieve uniform protection. The results are sometimes to bulky which in turn prevent the amount of oxygen that the user is able to take in. It is necessary to bite down to keep the mouth guard in place. The best product is the one that gives the most breathability, goes up as high as possible on the gums, and is a tight fit all the way around so that each tooth you are protecting is acting as anchor to protect the whole as one solid piece. Providing the best protection is more cost-effective. It costs $3,000-4,000 of dental care for each tooth loss. It really is worth purchasing a higher quality product with more protection.

Myth #3: Custom guards fitted by a dentist do traditionally cost $300-400. I have even heard of some dentist charging up to $600. I see no problem with $300-400 that the dentist is charging for his chair time if the labs that they send to manufacture a good product, but the labs that they traditionally send to are not fabricating the best possible product, although it is within guidelines. I have heard of some of these dentist fitted mouth guards have delamination and longevity issues. Sure they can warranty it, but they still will make the mouth guard the same way. What protection can you rely on when your mouth guard falls apart? A custom mouth guard is the way to go as long as you can find a source that manufactures a high quality mouth guard. A high quality guard can be bought at $95. It is worth asking around if a dentist can take a custom mold of your teeth and the cost should be around $50-100 depending if they pour your model or not.

We are a dental office providing high quality custom mouth guards manufactured by Python Guards™. Because we are a premier provider of Python Guards™, if you are in the local vicinity of our office, custom mouth guard impressions are free. There are other advantages with having a dental office take care of your sports dentistry needs. Please inquire within to find out how we can provide you the best protection that you can get with Python Guards™.

The claim: After a blow to the jaw, the force travels upward toward the base of the brain. The makers of mouthguards says its design “secures and cushions” the jaw, protecting it from brain-damaging impacts.

The reality: No published evidence exists to show that any mouthguard prevents concussions, said Jason Mihalek, an expert in the biomechanics related to head trauma at the University of North Carolina. Nor have mouthguards been shown to reduce the severity of a head blow, he said. Two mouthguard manufacturers, Shock Doctor and Battle Sports Science, have backed away from claims that they may prevent concussions. “Anecdotally we think they do, but there’s no scientific proof,” said Jay Turkbas, Shock Doctor’s senior vice president of product development and marketing.

The bottom line: Wear mouthguards because they can prevent dental and facial injuries.

Football helmets

The claim: The Xenith X1, which has a series of specially placed shock absorbers, “provides outstanding protection to minimize the likelihood of a concussive episode.”

The reality: For years, manufacturers focused on protecting the skull from fractures, and guidelines from the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment don’t specifically address concussion risk. Still, a recent biomechanical impact study by Virginia Tech researchers found that new football helmets were better than older models at reducing the risk of concussions that some offered more protection than others.

The bottom line: Football helmets are getting better at reducing concussion risk, but not every team can afford new helmets. The Virginia Tech researchers also found that more expensive helmets didn’t necessarily offer more protection. Ratings can be found at http://www.sbes.vt.edu through the National Impact Database; the Xenith X1 earned four of five stars.

– June 25, 2011|By Julie Deardorff, Tribune reporter

Further Reading:
http://www.sportsdentistry.com/concussion.html