What are Nightguards and Mouthguards?

Custom made mouthguards/nightguards are flexible pieces of plastic molded to the shape of your teeth.  Unlike store bought mouthguards, which are bulky, ill fitting, and often inhibit breathing, mouthguards from your dentist are made specifically for your bite and form to match your teeth.   

How It's Done

Once you have decided to get a custom mouthguard or nightguard made, your dentist will make a cast of your teeth. This usually takes just a few minutes.  The dentist will then take the hardened cast and mold a plastic guard to fit it.  In most cases you will have a variety of colors and styles to choose from.

Ordinarily, mouthguards are made in the dentist's office and are ready in about a week's time.

Technology

There are many different brands of mouthguards available, especially for nighttime wear, to protect the teeth from the damage caused by grinding or clenching.  Your dentist can help you decide what nightguard is best for your condition.

Recovery / Post Op Expectations

The time that it takes to get fitted for a mouthguard is no longer than a regular dental checkup, and there is no pain or discomfort either during or after the time in which the cast is taken.  On average, these guards last between 3 and 10 years.

Guards should be rinsed with cold, never hot, water after each use, and scrubbed with soap and water and brushed frequently.

Complications

There are no complications involved with mouthguards other than sanitary issues stemming from improper cleaning.

Am I A Candidate?

Mouthguard wear during the day is recommended during physical activity such as boxing, football, basketball, or other activities in which your mouth could be hit.  Use during these activities protects against jaw injuries and lip, tongue and cheek lacerations.

Nightguards are recommended for patients with bruxism, the term used for the condition that causes sleepers to clench or grind their teeth.  For patients with jaw or other sleeping related mouth or bite problems, a nightguard might also be an option.

Cost

General mouthguards usually cost about $75-$150.  Custom nightguards, depending on the brand and style, can run up to $350.