Pure Power MouthGuard™
Smile Makeover Specialist
In Collierville and Memphis, Tennessee
If you would like to contact Dr. Ettienne van Zyl to ask a question or schedule an appointment visit our convenient contact form.
Pure Power MouthGuard™ (PPM) was created to give athletes who are at their peak, or well on their way, a bit of a boost. The way this mouth guard is different than the usual is that it works on all types of athletes. While hockey players, football players, and soccer and rugby players traditionally wear mouth guards, PPM™ can be used by just about any athlete. Baseball players, golfers, marathoners, and gymnasts will all find that PPM™ is another tool to help give them an edge. Increases in agility, strength, and balance are areas where you will see improvement.
PPM™ Science
Designed as a dental aid for athletes, PPM™ is based on the principles found within neuromuscular dentistry. This branch of dentistry looks at the way the muscles of the jaw, the teeth and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are positioned. Studies have shown that in most people, the lower jaw is not in an ideal or optimal position. Because there is strain put on the muscles and your TMJ, your posture is affected. Strain on your face, neck, and shoulder muscles, creates soreness. This soreness leads to the body using up more energy than it otherwise would. However, when your jaw is correctly aligned, your jaw muscles and your spine are relaxed. Overall balance is increased, and strength in your upper body improves in strength.
The mouth guard itself is custom-made and fitted by Dr. van Zyl who uses the same kind of procedure he would when assessing TMJ disorders, such as jaw tracking or Transcutaneous Muscle Stimulation (TENS) machine.
PPM™ Process
As a certified neuromuscular dentist, Dr. van Zyl is also certified to fit your PPM™, as well as determine the best position your jaw should be in so you can perform at your absolute peak. During your evaluation, Dr. van Zyl will use a TENS machine to discover your optimum bite position. This usually means that your jaw should be down and forward to release tension in the face, neck, and shoulders. This will allow more room in your airway to improve your oxygen intake. This also helps to improve alignment in your back which in turn helps your muscles.
After recording your bite position, Dr. van Zyl will take impressions of your teeth. It will take a week for the creation of your PPM, but on your second visit, you will be fitted to make sure it fits as well as it can. Note that if you are missing teeth, you may not be a candidate for PPM™.
Athletes including Jake Delhomme, Shaun Alexander, Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, golfer Garth McAdoo, and marathoner Joe Lowden, have already benefited from using PPM™.
If you would like to learn more about how PPM™ can help you reach your athletic peak, and are in the Collierville or Memphis, Tennessee area, please contact Dr. van Zyl.
