29 October 2021

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NSF awards $250K to mouthguard startup

Katherine E. Pfaff

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University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and UM Ventures spinoff, The Wrightguard Innovations Corporation, has been recognized by the National Science Foundation with a grant to foster innovation in mouthguard technology. A prototype is currently being tested and the data is intended to be used for real-time monitoring of athletes’ health and performance. 

"I am honored to receive this research grant on behalf of my team of co-developers,” said Michael Wright, DDS, MS, founder and chief executive officer of TWGIC. “We are confident and excited about this pivotal technology's potential to minimize injury risks to athletes at all levels." Wright previously launched a line of customized mouthguards shaped to wearer’s jaw and mouth. The devices are worn by boxers, NBA, and NFL athletes.

The SBIR grant for $255,944 will carry forward the company’s phase 1 development of a high-tech mouthguard. The device would include sensors and be wi-fi connected to gather data on the user, including physiological status and changes like pH, hydration, and temperature as well as movements like acceleration, rotation, and collisions. 

"This innovative mouthguard provides a novel platform for capturing and transmitting real-time data on multiple physiological parameters and offers the potential to improve monitoring and evaluation of athletes and athletic performance," said Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, UMSOD dean and professor. 

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-science-foundation-issues-small-business-innovation-research-sbir-grant-to-the-wrightguard-innovations-corporation-in-support-of-novel-mouthguard-technology-301400164.html