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Abstract Background Retention performance is a prerequisite for the protective effect of custom-made mouthguards (MGs). The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of palatal extensions and brands on the retention of MGs and to provide a theoretical basis for designing comfortable MGs. Methods Using an optimized fully dentate maxillary anatomical teaching model, two brands of sports MGs (Erkoflex (E) and Supsmile (S)) were created, with each brand preparing three identical splints, resulting in a total of six groups (E18, E28, E38, S18, S28, S38) with palatal margin extending 8 mm past the gingival margin. A testing machine applied a constant vertical traction force to each group of MGs at a speed of 50 mm/min until complete dislocation occurred, recording the peak stress value, with each group tested 30 times. Subsequently, each group of sports MGs was uniformly trimmed by 2 mm on the palatal edge, reducing the extensions to 6, 4, 2, and 0 mm, denoted as E1 (6, 4, 2, 0), E2 (6, 4, 2, 0), E3 (6, 4, 2, 0), S1 (6, 4, 2, 0), S2 (6, 4, 2, 0), and S3 (6, 4, 2, 0). The above experimental steps were repeated to obtain the retention force of MGs with different palatal extensions. Results The length of the palatal edge significantly affects the retention force of the MG (p |
