We may recommend fabricating a custom nightguard to our patients. Nearly everyone at some point clenches or grinds their teeth, it’s a natural reaction to stress. Clenching occurs when teeth are brought together with force and held tightly. It is silent, unlike teeth grinding which is very noisy, but can be very destructive. Clenching your teeth requires your jaw muscles to be working which can lead to head and neck pain and TMJ wear. Oftentimes we clench our teeth while sleeping. Signs of clenching include soreness and discomfort, usually felt in the first 10 minutes of waking up. Long term clenching can lead to enamel loss, tooth wear, fracture, and jaw pain. Nightguards help protect teeth from wear and fracture. 

Fabricating a nightguard is an easy process. In the first visit we scan your teeth to create digital models. We then custom design a guard and print it in our office. The guard is made of a hard, clear acrylic that will act as a buffer for your teeth, keeping them from meeting. It is designed to fit tightly to your teeth so it won’t come out while you are sleeping and is made to fit only your top or bottom teeth.

At your second appointment we check the fit of your new guard and make adjustments if needed. It is important that the guard fits comfortably to both your teeth and bite. Both visits are fast and painless and we’ll provide instructions on how to use and care for your new guard. Wearing it nightly helps preserve both your teeth and your dental work.