Estudo da viabilidade no reprocessamento de resíduos gerados na confecção de protetores bucais

Abstract

Mouthguards are dental devices primarily used in sports, with the main purpose of protecting the gums, teeth, and oral tissues against impacts to prevent injuries, fractures, and concussions. The primary material used in the manufacturing of mouthguards is ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, which, during the thermoforming process, generates a significant amount of polymeric waste, resulting in material loss and consequently environmental impacts. In this context, the reuse of this waste emerges as a sustainable alternative to minimize waste and reduce production costs, allowing dentists or dental technicians to reuse it. This study investigates the feasibility of reprocessing the waste generated in the fabrication of new mouthguards by evaluating its properties after recycling. To this end, thermal analyses were carried out, including Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry, and mechanical tests such as tensile and hardness tests, as well as infrared spectroscopy. The results obtained allow for the evaluation of the preservation of the properties of the reprocessed material and its suitability for the manufacturing of new mouthguards, contributing to a more sustainable production in the field.