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Night guards can also treat snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
At your consultation, your dentist will determine if night guards are right for you. Your doctor will examine your mouth for unusual wear spots on your teeth and any visible indicators related to teeth grinding or clenching.
Your dentist will then either perform a digital scan or take a mold of your teeth by placing them in a tray filled with impression material. Once the material sets around your teeth, the impression is removed. Your dentist may administer some adjustments to ensure your teeth are properly aligning on the mold. Once this is complete, your dentist will create the guard in the office or ship the mold to a special laboratory to make your night guard.
Once the night guard is ready, your dentist will place the night guard in your mouth to ensure proper fitting. You will also receive accessories and homecare instructions for long-lasting, durable wear.
A soft night guard is a custom-made compressible mouthpiece created in our office. Patients experiencing mild cases of night clenching and grinding may be prescribed a soft night guard. This type of night guard provides gentle protection against teeth contact and preserves alignment. The soft material cushions the teeth’s clenching forces and can ease jaw muscle tension.
A Dual Laminate night guard is a custom-made, semi-rigid mouthpiece created in a lab outside the office. This night guard is suited for patients experiencing more severe night clenching and grinding. A Dual Laminate night guard is soft on the inside and hard on the outside, offering cushiony protection and strong durability. This long-lasting appliance is a great option for patients that are looking for a solution to their severe mouth clenching and grinding.
An Acrylic Night Guard is a custom-made, rigid mouthpiece made at a lab outside the office. This appliance is a great option for patients who suffer from heavy, severe night clenching and are in need of a long-lasting guard. Because it is entirely made of hard acrylic material, the Acrylic Night Guard is rigid and non-compressible, making it the most durable night guard available.
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Nightguards can preserve your alignment, and keep your other teeth from shifting.
Chronic stress can cause jaw muscles to tighten during sleep. This tension clenches the teeth together, which can then grate the upper and lower rows against each other in a grinding motion. If this persistent clenching and grinding go untreated, it can erode the enamel, compromise the integrity of your teeth, and cause excruciating pain. This is where night guards come in. A custom-made night guard will protect your teeth from touching each other and wearing down the enamel, preventing further harm on your teeth and jaw.
Soft night guards are made of cushiony material, which is typically less durable than acrylic or dual laminate night guards. Ultimately, the longevity of your night guard will depend on the severity of your teeth grinding and how well you care for the guard. Typically, night guards last between 5 and 10 years. It is important to wear your guard each night to preserve your teeth alignment. If you choose not to wear your night guard for some time, your teeth can shift and the guard may no longer fit, so a visit to the dentist for another guard or alignment check will be necessary.
Yes. Night guards endure nightly wear and tear and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. It is common for your teeth to shift over time, so an annual visit to ensure your night guard is properly aligning is suggested. If you notice any cracks, tears, or deformations, contact your dentist to replace your night guard.
This varies, depending on the type of night guard you choose. Soft night guards are made from a flexible material called ethylene-vinyl acetate. Dual Laminate night guards are composed of two distinct layers of ethylene-vinyl acetate and acrylic, giving it a soft inner layer and a hard outer layer. An Acrylic night guard is composed entirely of durable acrylic matter, which makes the appliance entirely rigid.
The cost of night guards is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost of your night guard include the guard material, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for a night guard is to schedule a consultation with your dentist.
Those who grind their teeth unconsciously at night can put 250 pounds (or more) of pressure on their molars.
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