Teeth grinding, a condition medically known as bruxism, can cause significant damage to the teeth and jaw joints over time. A dental night guard is a specialized oral appliance worn while sleeping to create a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. Its primary purpose is to absorb the forces of clenching and grinding, which helps to prevent tooth wear, fractures, and strain on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Finding the right night guard involves understanding the different places they can be acquired and the varying levels of quality, fit, and material offered by each source.
Obtaining Professional Custom-Fitted Guards
The most precise and durable option for a night guard is a professional custom-fitted guard obtained through a dentist or orthodontist. The process begins with a consultation where the dental professional assesses the severity of the bruxism and determines the appropriate guard design. They will then take an accurate impression of the patient’s teeth, often using a physical mold or a digital intraoral scanner.
This impression is sent to a specialized dental laboratory, which fabricates the guard from medical-grade materials to perfectly match the unique contours of the mouth. Materials commonly used include hard acrylic for severe grinders, soft thermoplastic for mild cases, or a dual-laminate option that features a soft interior layer for comfort and a hard exterior for durability. Constructed for a perfect fit, these guards evenly distribute the grinding forces, offering superior protection and comfort. Professional custom guards are the most expensive option, typically ranging from $300 to $800, but their cost may be partially covered by dental insurance.
Retail Options: Over-the-Counter Guards
Over-the-counter (OTC) night guards offer the most immediate and least expensive solution, as they can be purchased at pharmacies, drug stores, and mass retailers. These options generally fall into two categories: one-size-fits-all and “boil-and-bite” guards. The stock, one-size-fits-all guards are pre-formed, offering little customization and often resulting in a bulky, less comfortable fit.
The “boil-and-bite” type provides a semi-custom fit and is the most popular retail choice. To prepare this guard, the user softens the thermoplastic material by immersing it in hot water, then bites down into the warm material to create an impression of their teeth. While these retail guards are cheaper, generally costing between $20 and $50, they are made from less durable materials and wear out much faster than custom options. These guards are best suited for mild, occasional grinding or as a temporary measure while waiting for a custom device.
Direct-to-Consumer Online Custom Guards
Ordering a custom-fitted guard directly from an online laboratory serves as a middle ground in terms of cost and quality. This direct-to-consumer model bypasses the dental office overhead while still providing a guard made from a precise dental impression. The process begins when the company ships an impression kit, which contains trays and moldable putty, directly to the customer’s home.
The user follows instructions to take an impression of their teeth and mails the completed mold back to the lab using a prepaid envelope. The online lab then uses this impression to fabricate a custom guard, often utilizing the same professional-grade materials and processes as those used for dentists. These custom online guards typically cost between $100 and $200, offering savings compared to the dentist’s price for a comparable quality product. The trade-off is the delay in receiving the guard, which usually takes a few weeks for the impression kit and final product shipment.
Choosing the Right Guard Type
The decision of where to purchase a night guard should be primarily guided by the severity of the bruxism, the need for fit precision, and budgetary considerations. Individuals with severe grinding or those who have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder should prioritize the superior fit and durability of a professional custom guard. The hard acrylic and dual-laminate materials offered by dental offices provide the necessary strength to withstand heavy forces without being quickly chewed through.
For those with mild or occasional clenching, an inexpensive over-the-counter boil-and-bite guard may offer sufficient temporary protection and cushioning. However, long-term or moderate grinders should consider the direct-to-consumer custom options, as they offer the advantage of a precise fit for enhanced comfort and protection at a lower cost than a dental office. Choosing a guard with the right material thickness, such as a 2mm guard for moderate bruxism, also contributes to long-term effectiveness. Ultimately, a properly fitted guard should stay securely in place and evenly distribute bite pressure to effectively protect the teeth.