ADDING INTRICATE DESIGNS
QUESTION
I am in the development stages of forming an exclusive custom mouthguard lab. I understand the concepts, equipment, and materials needed to fabricate an outstanding custom mouthguard; however, I am pretty lost when it comes to adding intricate custom designs to the mouthguards. I need to know if this subject is covered in depth in Mouthguard Mastery.
RESPONSE
Great question. The manual covers the foundations, basic rules, some graphics ideas and the do’s and don’ts of laminating graphics into guards.
With each day, new graphics possibilities arise so, graphic design is a constantly developing and expanding field. Essentially the extent and complexity of the graphics and materials depend on the resources you have access to and the amount of time that can be economically applied. If you wish to you can laminate diamonds into a mouthguard. It may not be economic and the concept maybe far-fetched but, nonetheless, it can be done. So, it is as wide open as you wish it to be.
Like everything you will need to develop skills and know-how. Mouthguard Mastery gives a sound understanding of mouthguards and there is little doubt it contains the techniques and tips to produce superb and very protective guards. To my mind, for your new business, and for less than the price of a guard, Mouthguard Mastery is well worth the investment.
I wish you great success
Starting a Mouth Guard Business
Thank you for your insightful and prompt response! I look forward to getting a copy of Mouthguard Mastery. As you might know owning a lab means my finances depend on when and sometimes if I am paid – hence another reason to start making custom mouthguards! Again, thank you for your speedy response.
RESPONSE
It’s a great pleasure.
It is difficult to make money. If it were easy everyone would have plenty, but they don’t, so it’s not! Building a mouthguard business is similar. It takes focus and hard work.
I’m not sure which part of the market you will initially target. Generally children are easier than adults and heavy contact sports players. Introductions always help. Concentrate on mothers.
They will always protect their children when fathers may not see the need.
Develop superfast impression taking and admin techniques that can be used in any location, well lit or otherwise. Chromatic alginates help and use water at a specific temperature that suits you and reduces setting time. Take preheated water with you to impression sessions.
Techniques For Cutting and Fusing Mouthguard Materials
QUESTION
Recently purchased Julian Hodges’ books on mouthguard fabrication et al.
Extremely informative but I have one question.
Our mouthguards will be endorsed next week by a professional ice hockey organization in North America.
Do you any info on machines or techniques that could help us in the areas of cutting and fusing the mouthguard material more quickly?
Thank you for your time. I would recommend the literature to anyone interested in mouthguard safety!!!
RESPONSE
Thank you for your email and the compliments. I am very pleased you have found the manuals to be so helpful.
Re Your Query:
CUTTING THE FOILS:
An alternative method to that described in Mouthguard Mastery is to set up a small hydraulic car jack in a framework.
Position the foil on the bottom platen (fixed to the car jack). It will require a guide between the columns plus a guide to locate the foil on the platen which should be non-metal, splinter and powder-free, for example Teflon.
Position a cutter with fixed blades on the top (use different cutters for 2 colour, 3 and 4 colour guards). Cutters are made for the leather and other industries such as footwear (‘clicking’ machines) or wherever soft materials are being cut to a fixed shape.
HEATING THE FOILS:
The best way is as described in the Manual.