Evolution of Mouthguard Technology: From Early Dental Protection to Smart Sports Safety Systems

– 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.