Can a Mouth Guard Improve Athletic Performance?
Makers of Pure Power Mouthguard Claim It Improves Your Game
Some dentists aren't just pushing mouth guards to protect athletes' teeth - they claim that they can improve performance. Specifically, the Pure Power mouth guard is supposed to open airways by allowing the jaw and neck muscles to fully relax.
The device was developed by Dr. Anil Makkar after attending classes at LVI, and it is described by some as similar to the mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliances (MORAs) that were popular some 25 years ago. Though there's no hard evidence to support PPM’s superiority, a number of athletes swear by it.
"The Pure Power Mouthguard is 40 years of proven neuromuscular dentistry research," reads the product's website. "Better balance, longer endurance, improved strength, more power, and expanded range." The site claims the device can make you run faster, lift heavier weights, and lower your golf handicap.
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September 24th, 2008 at 8:50 am
This has Terrell Owens and Manny Ramirez in the know . . .
September 24th, 2008 at 9:04 am
As a Neuromuscular Dental Technician I KNOW that a neuromuscular bite works.
I’ve seen patients restored to health. It’s a bite based on physiology and respects the body as a whole. Muscles,teeth and bones,,,,,,the body articulator.
Cynthia Wright
September 24th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I’ve had the opportunity to fit many professional athletes with the PPM device. It is an incredible tool that many of our athletes feel is indispensible. It is unique in that it is the only device that can impact virtually every single sport.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
We know that the body is a whole and all the parts are connected more than just physically. We also know that a problem with one muscle or one joint can compromise the system as a whole. What we have realized is that by finding a neuromuscular physiologic rest position for the lower jaw we can help balance and bring to synergy all of the muscles in a descending fashion creating an optimum field to enhance performance. Does this type of mouth guard really make you a better athlete? You bet, but don’t take my word for it, just ask Manny Ramirez (2004 World Series MVP), Michael Redd (NBA) or Josh Brown (NFL).
September 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
How did you determine that the PPM and the MORA were similar? I can tell you the ONLY similarity is that they are placed in the mouth. We are in a totally different age with dentistry than we were 25 years ago. The process for determining the bite for the PPM is very complex and takes time to do… it’s not just impressions and a bite sent to a lab. Have you ever seen this process?
Yes, the PPM can dramatically increase an athletes performance. I have several professional athletes and trainers that can attest to this.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
We do not claim it will improve your performance, we guarntee it! We have a 30 day refund policy, if you do not see the difference , we will completeley refund your money.
I am proud to say, that of the 2000 athletes fitted so far, not one has asked for a refund!
Why does this work?
Because it is based on pure science, a measureable result , that is based on high end software and computerized technology.
This will revolutinize sports, and how the game will be played, and the dental profession will be recognized , and people will and are already talking about dentistry.
If you have designed anything that has a postive impact on people’s lives, and creates a buzz about dentistry , then the entire dental community benefits.
It is a great time to be a dentist!
Success- Dr. Anil Makkar
September 26th, 2008 at 4:05 am
can anyone please cite the controlled studies for these mouth guards?
September 26th, 2008 at 10:35 am
The above descrition that the Pure Power Mouthguard works because the airway is openned due the to muscles relaxing is misleading and a gross oversimplification of the science behind the neuromuscular mandibular position. All too frequently, dentists have mental roadblocks to comprehending and accepting information that may be different than what they have practiced or been taught. This might just be why ‘regular’ people, including many professional athletes whose livelihood depends on peak performance, can grasp the concept. When the muscles stimulated by Cranial Nerves 5 and 7 are relaxed and free of toxins, the mandible is aligned allowing for an increased level of muscle recruitment, especially in the upper body. Balance, strength endurance and power are all improved. Would this help you if you golf? Swim? Run? Play basketball? Football? Soccer? I absolutely believe that it works because I use it during athletic events and training, which has significantly improved the results that I was getting.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:44 am
As a General Dentist since 1975 and including neuromuscular dentistry into my general practice since 1985, I have seen very interesting clinical results with neuromuscular dental appliances. All these amazing results now with professional athletes only re-inforce my belief in the biological science that needs to be understood in Dentistry as a whole. The neuroanatomy and physiology do not lie and if one spends the time understanding the basic levels of these areas, then one will understand the complex nature of these amazing appliances that gives us these results.
I am a very firm believer in the PPM mouthguards and have been providing this service to athletes in my area with excellent results.