Night Guards in Phoenix, AZ
Are you grinding and clenching your teeth at night? Give your smile some relief with our custom night guards.
What is a night guard?
Nightguards are a protective solution for patients that subconsciously grind and clench their teeth while they sleep. These custom-made accessories work as a soft barrier between your teeth to prevent painful clenching and grinding overnight. When biting down, the night guard eases the tension between your jaw muscles and shields your teeth from enamel erosion. Wearing your custom-molded night guard can alleviate the painful side effects of the clenching and grinding, so you can sleep with ease.
Custom Night Guards with Advanced Digital Technology
We use state-of-the-art digital dentistry to create custom nightguards that fit your mouth perfectly. Instead of traditional, messy impressions, we take a non-invasive 3D scan of your mouth using a digital scanner. This fully digital process captures the precise shape and structure of your teeth for a nightguard that’s tailored specifically to you. Best of all, there’s no need for uncomfortable putty, making the entire experience quicker and more comfortable.
Our in-house scanning and fabrication process ensures that your nightguard is crafted with accuracy and efficiency, giving you the protection you need for a restful night’s sleep.
Types of night guards
Soft Night Guard
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.
Dual Laminate Night Guard
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.
Acrylic Night Guard
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.
How it works: The night guard treatment process
Consultation
Consultation
During your consultation, your dentist will assess whether a night guard is the right solution for you. They will examine your mouth for signs of wear, including any damage from teeth grinding or clenching, and discuss your symptoms to determine the best course of action.
Digital Scan
Digital Scan
Instead of traditional impressions, we use advanced digital technology to create a precise 3D scan of your teeth. This non-invasive scan captures the exact shape and structure of your teeth and gums, providing a detailed model for your custom night guard. There’s no need for messy molds or putty, ensuring a comfortable and accurate fit.
Fabrication
Fabrication
Once the digital scan is complete, we use our in-house technology to fabricate your night guard right here at our office. This streamlined process allows us to create a custom-fit night guard quickly and efficiently, ensuring it fits your mouth perfectly for maximum comfort and protection.
Fitting and Adjustments
Fitting and Adjustments
When your night guard is ready, your dentist will place it in your mouth to ensure it fits correctly and comfortably. If needed, minor adjustments will be made for the perfect fit. You’ll also receive care instructions and tips for maintaining your night guard to ensure it lasts and provides the protection you need for restful sleep.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Chronic stress can cause your jaw muscles to tense up during sleep, leading to teeth clenching and grinding. This constant pressure not only affects the alignment of your teeth but can also strain the muscles in your face and head, contributing to headaches and facial discomfort. Over time, this repetitive clenching and grinding can wear down the enamel, weaken the integrity of your teeth, and cause significant pain in your jaw, neck, and even your temples.
A custom-made night guard acts as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from coming into contact during sleep. This helps reduce the wear and tear on your enamel while also alleviating the pressure on your jaw muscles. By keeping your teeth from grinding and clenching, a night guard can reduce the occurrence of headaches, relieve facial muscle tension, and prevent long-term damage to 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.
