Dentist says athletic device will add power to performances

By Mary Ellen MacIntyre
The Halifax Herald Limited
January 3rd, 2007

TRURO – The curious mind of Dr. Anil Makkar has led him to create a mouthguard that could revolutionize the world of highly competitive sports.

The Truro neuromuscular dentist noted that his patients had improved strength and balance after being fitted with orthotic mouth devices.

That got him wondering if similar devices could affect the performance of elite athletes.

“It’s really very simple – if your lower jaw is in the optimal position, it affects your strength, balance and endurance,” said Dr. Makkar, co-founder of Pure Power Mouthguard.

And a first meeting with NHL trainers in New York in November has led to more sessions coming up with all 30 NHL trainers in June.

Patients he treated in his practice to alleviate symptoms like headaches and facial and neck pain were often thrilled to experience improved strength and balance after they were fitted with an orthotic appliance.

Since it has been estimated 90 per cent of people have some problem with their bite – the way in which the teeth meet – or the lower jaw, Dr. Makkar figured athletes could benefit.

“The greatest athlete in the world, Michael Jordan, what did he do when he was about to make a basket?

“He stuck his tongue out between his teeth, and, whether he was aware of it or not, I believe he stuck his tongue out because that placed his jaw in the best position – it gave him that extra strength,” said Dr. Makkar.

“I began to think about athletes who wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and I wanted to test my theory.”

Enter Chuck Sproule, a provincial heavyweight bodybuilding champion, jiu-jitsu instructor, personal trainer and, eventually, Dr. Makkar’s partner in the new business.

“Most athletes will tell you mouthguards hinder performance – they’re cumbersome and they just don’t feel right in the mouth and some athletes don’t even wear them,” Mr. Sproule said.

“In many sports you’re taking a big risk not wearing a mouthguard because not only do they protect the teeth but they help to prevent concussion, which can end the career of an athlete.”

Mr. Sproule became the first test subject.

In May, Dr. Makkar performed extensive computerized tracking tests on Mr. Sproule to find the exact position where the lower jaw would be the most comfortable. The mouthguard was then made out of special material that has flexibility and shock absorbency.

“I was shocked at the immediate strength improvement,” said Mr. Sproule. “It almost seemed like a trick.

“Where I would do maybe five weight repetitions without it, if I put in the mouthguard, I could do maybe eight or 10 more – it was instantaneous,” he said.

Mr. Sproule has worked within the sports and fitness industry for more than 20 years. He was quick to recognize the implications.

“A one per cent improvement could mean an Olympic medal for some athletes,” he said.

“Athletes are always looking for an edge and this is performance enhancement without the drugs – it improves strength, balance and endurance and that’s quite an edge.”

Dr. Makkar and Mr. Sproule gathered together four local athletes to discuss the benefits of the device at the Victoria Dental Clinic on Sunday morning.

A golfer, a gymnastics coach, a curler and a personal trainer who was recently featured in a men’s fitness magazine in the United Kingdom all paid testimony to the device.

In the few short months since the partners started to work on the Pure Power Mouthguard, they have made great strides.

The two are enthusiastic about the June meeting with NHL trainers.

“We believe it will benefit not just athletes who wear mouthguards in high-impact sports like hockey, football or martial arts but any athlete because it improves balance and strength,” said Mr. Sproule.

“Our aim is to become the official mouthguard of the sports world,” Mr. Sproule added, with a broad smile.

(mmacintyre@herald.ca)