In short, since your head, neck and back muscles aren't straining to keep your face, head and neck in a certain position, that extra strength and energy can be put to other uses -- throwing a ball farther, skating on ice with more balance or swinging a racket a little harder.

Using computer software and machinery, a neuromuscular dentist trained by Makkar can find the position where one's lower jaw sits so that all the muscles in the face are completely relaxed. Once that position is found, it is captured so that a device can be moulded specifically to fit that person's jaw.

Dr. Steve O'Brien of Moncton is the only dentist in Moncton who currently fits and sells the device, which can only be purchased through a neuromuscular dentist.

O'Brien is impressed by the device.

"When you suddenly take the load off of the face muscles, the jaws are in the proper position and supported with the mouthguard," he says. "All of a sudden, the muscles in the neck, shoulders and back that have been trying to keep everything stable are freed up. So it's like you've got extra muscles."

The Moncton dentist fit a PPM for local boxer Jonah Arbuckle who says the device has helped improve his balance and endurance when training.

"I do notice a bit of a difference," he said yesterday. "I can't explain it, but I find I have a better sense of balance. And I also have a bit of a bad knee when I'm running, and I find when I wear the mouthguard, it's not as bad."

The balance can be attributed to jaw muscles being relaxed as well, says O'Brien. The PPM allows your head to be more centred with your spine, which allows you to balance yourself better.

So... it should relax your jaw and perhaps provide a degree of help to athletes -- but is it comfortable?

Arbuckle says he's never worn a a mouthpiece that was quite so comfortable. In addition, even when clamped tight, it leaves a small space for breathing.

O'Brien has been fitting patients with the device since fall of 2006. He says in the early stages, he fit the device for two then-Moncton Wildcats players who both enjoyed the device but found it would break down in the cold rinks they played in.

Makkar says it was simply growing pains for the device. It is now suitable for wearing during any sports activity.

The device doesn't come cheap, however. The Pure Power Mouthguard and the Pure Power Edge, which is just the bottom piece that doesn't provide protection in high impact sports but will set your jaw in its most relaxed position, run at prices of either $800 or $1,600, which includes fitting.

The cheaper version is less precise and more suited for a person who takes training or sports casually, while the more expensive version is as accurate as can be and is ideal for professional athletes. The PPM is made of acrylic laminate, while the Edge is made of a combination of hard and soft acrylic.

Makkar says many professional athletes, including baseball players Manny Ramirez (Minnesota Twins) and Shaun Marcum (Toronto Blue Jays) are using the Pure Power Edge for better balance and endurance.

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