Why Minor Hockey Associations Are Switching to Digital Mouthguard Scanning
How Digital Scanning Is Simplifying Custom Mouthguard Fitting for Hockey Teams
For minor hockey associations, getting an entire team ready for the season involves much more than practices and equipment. Parents need to organize skates, helmets, pads, jerseys, and other protective equipment before players take the ice. A properly fitted mouthguard is another important consideration for young hockey players.
Traditionally, getting a custom mouthguard meant taking physical dental impressions and arranging individual appointments. Today, digital scanning is changing the way athletes, teams, and hockey associations approach the mouth guard fitting process.
With digital scanning, minor hockey associations can make it easier for multiple players to get scanned for custom sports mouth guards while creating a more convenient experience for athletes and their families.
What Is Digital Mouthguard Scanning?
Digital mouthguard scanning uses an intraoral scanner to capture a detailed digital model of an athlete's teeth.
Instead of using traditional impression material, a provider uses a handheld scanner to capture the shape and structure of the teeth. The digital scan can then be used to create a 3D model that serves as the foundation for manufacturing a custom mouthguard.
For hockey associations, this provides a more modern alternative to traditional impressions and can make organizing mouthguard appointments much easier.
Why Are Hockey Associations Choosing Digital Scanning?
Minor hockey involves a large number of players, often spread across multiple teams and age groups. Coordinating individual mouthguard appointments for every player can quickly become inconvenient for parents and association organizers.
Digital scanning makes it possible to organize group scanning events where multiple players can have their scans completed during a scheduled session.
Instead of asking every family to arrange a separate appointment, associations can coordinate with a provider to bring the scanning process directly to a team, club, or hockey organization.
This can make getting a mouth guard for hockey a much simpler part of preseason preparation.
A More Convenient Mouth Guard Fitting Experience
One of the biggest advantages of digital scanning is convenience.
Traditional impressions require impression trays and dental impression material. Some athletes may find the process uncomfortable or unpleasant, particularly younger players.
Digital scanning eliminates the need for traditional goopy impressions during the scanning process. The scanner captures the information needed to create a digital model of the athlete's teeth without requiring impression material.
For minor hockey players, the process can be quick and straightforward. Players can have their scans completed and then get back to their regular team activities.
For parents, organizing a group scanning event can also mean fewer individual appointments to coordinate.
Custom Mouthguards Designed For Individual Players
Every athlete has a different smile, which means a mouthguard does not have to be a one-size-fits-all piece of equipment.
A custom sports mouth guard is created using an individual model of the athlete's teeth. This allows the finished guard to be designed specifically around that player's dental anatomy.
Guard Haus uses digital scanning technology to create a detailed 3D model before manufacturing each custom sports guard.
The goal is to create a mouthguard that feels secure and comfortable during practices and games while being specifically designed for the individual athlete.
Why Fit Matters For Hockey Players
Hockey is a fast-paced contact sport where players can experience falls, collisions, sticks, pucks, and contact with other players.
A mouthguard should be comfortable enough that an athlete is willing to wear it consistently throughout practices and games.
A poorly fitting mouthguard can move around, feel bulky, or become distracting during activity. A custom mouthguard is designed around the athlete's individual teeth, providing a more personalized approach to mouth guard fitting than a generic stock option.
For parents looking for a mouth guard for hockey, choosing an option designed specifically for their child's smile can be an important part of preparing for the season.
Digital Scanning Makes Team Fittings Easier
Digital scanning isn't only convenient for individual athletes. It can also simplify the process for entire teams.
A hockey association can arrange a dedicated scanning clinic where players from one or multiple teams are scanned during the same event. This gives parents a clear opportunity to have their child's mouthguard fitting completed without having to schedule separate appointments.
Group scanning can be particularly helpful during preseason, when associations are already organizing registration, equipment checks, team meetings, and other activities.
By incorporating digital mouthguard scanning into the preseason schedule, associations can make custom mouthguards easier for families to access.
What Does The Digital Mouthguard Process Look Like?
The Guard Haus process is designed to make custom mouthguard fitting straightforward.
1. Digital Scan
The athlete's teeth are digitally scanned using an intraoral scanner. The scanner captures the information needed to create an accurate digital representation of the athlete's smile.
2. 3D Model
The digital scan is used to create a precise 3D model of the athlete's teeth.
3. Custom Manufacturing
The model is used to manufacture the custom sports guard. The mouthguard is thermoformed around the individual dental model to create a personalized fit.
4. Ready For Hockey
Once complete, the custom mouthguard is ready for the athlete to use during practices and games.
The digital process removes many of the traditional steps associated with physical dental impressions while creating a streamlined workflow for athletes and teams.
A Better Option For Growing Hockey Associations
Minor hockey associations are constantly looking for ways to make the player experience easier for athletes and families.
Digital mouthguard scanning provides an efficient option for associations that want to offer custom mouthguards without requiring every player to arrange an individual traditional impression appointment.
It can also provide a more modern experience for young athletes who are already accustomed to technology being part of their everyday lives.
Whether an association is working with a single team or coordinating services across an entire club, group digital scanning can make the process easier to organize.
Is Digital Mouthguard Scanning Right For Your Hockey Team?
For hockey associations looking to simplify preseason preparation, digital scanning offers a convenient way to coordinate custom mouthguard fittings for players.
Instead of traditional impressions and individual appointments, teams can arrange group scanning sessions that fit into their existing schedules.
Guard Haus provides digitally scanned custom sports mouth guards for athletes, teams, schools, and clubs throughout Eastern Ontario. From minor hockey players to competitive athletes, the process is designed to make custom mouthguard fitting more convenient from the initial scan to the finished guard.
If your hockey association is looking for a simpler way to arrange custom mouthguards for players, digital scanning can provide a modern approach to getting athletes ready for the season.