Injury prevention in contact
sports.
The risk of injury to the anterior maxillary teeth is considerable lessened.
The risk of damage to the posterior teeth of either jaw is also reduced following a traumatic closure of the mandible.
The risk of intraoral lacerations is lessened.
The risk of concussion following mandibular impact is lessened ( because full posterior translation of the condyles is prevented, and hence less violent force is transmitted to the skull/brain.)
Usually made from a sheet of ethylene vinyl acetate, covering the maxillary teeth until the second molars.