Selecting the right type of night guard for your teeth grinding habit is just as vital as using a night guard in general. The first step in choosing the right kind of night guard is to seek a professional assessment from your dentist. A proper evaluation allows for your teeth grinding habits to be correctly analyzed. Your dentist will then be able to guide you to the right type of night guard based their findings.

When it’s time to shop for a custom night guard, don’t become confused and overwhelmed at your options. Follow our helpful guide to learn which type of night guard is right for your teeth grinding habit.

Custom Night Guard

A custom-fit night guard is a type of guard that is prescribed and created by a dental professional. These devices are highly personalized and can be adjusted depending on the thickness level your teeth grinding habit requires in order to protect your smile. A custom-made mouthguard is designed for patient comfort, and they also prevent soreness, headaches, and jaw pain associated with Bruxism .

Store-Bought Night Guard

Over-the-counter Night guards are very similar to mouthguards used by athletes while playing contact sports. Both types of guards are made of plastic, but while most sports mouthguards are very thick and brittle, store-bought night guards are created out of thinner and more flexible plastic. Store-bought guards are pre-formed u-shaped trays that will cover the entire top row of your teeth in order to prevent upper and lower teeth from grinding together. Generally speaking, this type of night guard is accompanied by a lower price tag; however, the plastic wears down much quicker than the durable materials used to make custom-fit night guards and they do not fit as well.

A soft guard lasts the shortest amount of time and is typically only prescribed to patients who do not have a severe grinding habit. Soft guards are made primarily from EVA plastic, which is why they have such a soft texture as compared with other harder night guard materials. This type of night guard often needs to be replaced every six months or so before it wears down or breaks. Additionally, soft guards are usually less expensive than their harder counterparts.

Key Benefits

Dual laminate night guards are still soft on the inside, but the exterior is harder and more durable, offering more durability than soft night guards. Dual laminate night guards have a longer life span that ranges anywhere from nine months to five years. This wide range is due to the variation of different griding habits as well as how well a patient cares for their night guard.

Key Benefits

Hard night guards are made to be the strongest and most durable type of night guard available. Depending on the chosen thickness, a 3mm thick hard night guard is designed for patients who grind their teeth on a regular nightly basis. In extreme cases, a hard night guard is necessary to adequately protect a patient’s teeth from excessive teeth grinding to prevent permanent damage to the teeth. Hard night guards are crafted from hard plastics and have a life expectancy of 1-5 years, depending on home care.

Key Benefits

Whether you are considering an over-the-counter night guard or think a custom-fit option is the best option for you, be sure to talk to your dentist about your specific needs before making any decisions. Protecting your teeth from grinding is essential, and Cherrywood Dental Associates is here to help you find the “perfect fit” when it comes to your night guard. Call today to schedule an evaluation appointment.