OHI-S Sports Dentistry Designing, Fabrication, and Optimization of Athletic Mouthguards 5 lessons 3h 2min

Fabio Fantozzi’s sports dentistry course follows the design and fabrication of athletic mouthguards from clinical assessment to laboratory finishing. It covers mouthguard classification, impact biomechanics, analog and digital impressions, bite registration, thermoforming and occlusal adjustment, alongside material selection and customization. The five English-language lessons are listed at 3 hours 2 minutes in total; the original OHI-S format is four lessons plus one free lesson. Dentists, orthodontists, prosthodontists and dental technicians can use the program to review how athlete-specific risks, appliance fit, maintenance and laboratory workflow inform mouthguard planning. The curriculum also introduces sensor-based systems and newer design technologies.

Instructor

Fabio Fantozzi teaches all five lessons. The source description identifies him as a Master Dental Technician, owner and director of Orthofan laboratory, and creator of the OrthofanPro customized professional mouthguard protocol, with experience in analog and digital orthodontic laboratory techniques.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be better able to:

• Evaluate the development of mouthguard technology, including smart and sensor-based systems.
• Apply the classification, biomechanics, and clinical principles of mouthguard design.
• Differentiate between types of mouthguards and their indications, advantages, and limitations.
• Implement clinical sports dentistry protocols for diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment planning.
• Execute laboratory workflows for accurate mouthguard fabrication and customization.
• Utilize digital and analog impression techniques and perform model analysis.
• Master thermoforming systems, material selection, and fabrication protocols.
• Integrate carbon fiber and advanced reinforcement techniques into protective appliances.

Topics

Lesson 1. History and Evolution of Mouthguards: From Early Prototypes to Modern Protective Devices — 19min

• The first attempts to fabricate mouthguards
• Maxillary incisor protectors used in boxing matches
• Custom-fitted mouthguards
• The first US-patented mouthguard in Chicago
• The first reusable mouthguard made from gutta-percha
• Temporary ban on mouthguard use
• First mention of the term “mouthguard” in the literature
• Development of innovative transparent and anatomical splints
• The “mouth protector” patent
• Mandatory mouthguard regulations in the United States
• Introduction of mouthguards in hockey

Lesson 2. Evolution of Mouthguard Technology: From Early Dental Protection to Smart Sports Safety Systems — 32min

• The first attempts to fabricate mouthguards
• Maxillary incisor protectors for boxing matches
• Custom-fitted mouthguards
• The first US-patented mouthguard in Chicago
• The first reusable mouthguard made from gutta-percha
• Temporary ban on mouthguard use
• First mention of “the mouthguard” in literature
• Innovative transparent and anatomical splints
• The “mouth protector” patent
• Mandatory mouthguard regulations in the United States
• Introduction of mouthguards in hockey
• Early experimental and system-based mouthguard designs – BOT, Benji’s mouthguard, Ramon System
• Smart mouthguards and digital integration systems
• Carbon fiber integration in mouthguard design
• 3D mouthguard design and configurator systems
• Advances in laboratory-based customization technologies
• Modern protective technologies and clinical innovations
• Integration of inertial sensors – accelerometers and gyroscopes
• Clinical and safety benefits of modern mouthguard systems
• Real-time monitoring and prevention of traumatic brain injury and CTE

Lesson 3. Sports Dentistry and Mouthguard Design: Classification, Biomechanics, and Clinical Fabrication Protocols — 49min

• Statistics and epidemiological data: age distribution and frequency of dental injuries
• Classification of oral injuries according to sport type
• Differences in protection: classification of five mouthguard families
• Stock mouthguards – design, characteristics, advantages, and limitations
• Over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguards – characteristics, advantages, and limitations
• Monolayer custom-made mouthguards – design, characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages
• Video demonstration: fabrication of a monolayer custom-made mouthguard
• Design variations and structural requirements for protective mouthguards
• PlaySafe mouthguard variants and custom options
• Light option – structural features and suitable sports
• Medium option – structural features and suitable sports
• Light Pro option – structural features and suitable sports
• Heavy Pro option – structural features and suitable sports
• OrthofanPro premium ultra-customized professional mouthguards – description and fabrication protocol
• Comprehensive breakdown of the four layers of the OrthofanPro mouthguard
• PowerTeeth-Guard – design overview and structural description
• Biomechanics of impact: dissipation and distribution of forces
• Quality control: pendulum impact testing
• Practical validation: live impact testing
• Personalization and aesthetic design process for custom mouthguards

Lesson 4. Advanced Mouthguard Fabrication: Laboratory Workflow, Materials, and Clinical Precision in Sports Dentistry — 39min

• Are all equipment and techniques the same?
• Vacuum vs. pressure thermoforming: advantages of pressure systems
• Dental impression analysis: analog vs. digital workflows
• Evaluation of plaster models: occlusal and lateral views
• Clinical significance of the construction bite
• Alginate insulation and model surface preparation
• Color selection and aesthetic customization
• Thermoforming machines: types, operation, and settings
• Use of stainless steel granules for precise model positioning
• Step-by-step thermoforming process
• Trimming, cutting, and finishing techniques
• Designing mouthguard borders and extensions
• Occlusal control and adjustment using an articulator
• Final finishing steps and laboratory quality control standards
• Comparative overview of mouthguard types
• Carbon fiber integration in mouthguards: specifications, benefits, and protective mechanisms
• Clinical cases of sports-related dental trauma – football and basketball

Lesson 5. Clinical Sports Dentistry: Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Evidence-Based Mouthguard Protocols — 40min

• Definition of sports dentistry and its scope
• FDI World Dental Federation recommendations in sports dentistry
• The role of the dental technician within a multidisciplinary sports dentistry team
• Core aims and objectives of sports dentistry
• Clinical protocol for custom mouthguard fabrication
• Comprehensive dental and sports anamnesis – patient history
• Clinical documentation: photography, impressions, and study models
• Accurate bite registration techniques – wax bite protocols
• Writing a precise medical prescription for custom mouthguards
• Classification of sports mouthguards based on sport-related impact risk levels
• Epidemiological data on the causes of dentoalveolar trauma
• Barriers to mouthguard adoption: reasons athletes avoid compliance
• Anatomical risk factors predisposing to dentoalveolar trauma
• Mouthguard design modifications for adolescent orthodontic patients
• Mandatory design requirements and functional characteristics of sports mouthguards
• Arch selection criteria: maxillary vs. mandibular design considerations
• Protective biomechanics of custom mouthguards
• Clinical and comfort advantages of custom-made vs. over-the-counter mouthguards
• Home care: cleaning and maintenance of oral appliances
• Management of odor formation, biofilm accumulation, and discoloration
• Approved disinfection protocols for dental materials
• Material science: biocompatibility of sports dentistry materials
• Environmental considerations: disposal and recycling of used appliances

The listed lesson durations are retained as supplied and differ slightly from the stated overall course duration. Original OHI-S CE information refers to eligible participation through that provider: 2.5 credits overall, with lesson credits of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.5 and 0.5. Those credits, official membership, platform access and provider-hosted progress tracking are not included in this store package.