Night Guards: What Are They?
A night guard is a dental appliance worn over the teeth, typically while sleeping, to prevent the damaging effects of teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching. These habits often happen unconsciously during sleep and can lead to long-term damage to teeth, gums, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Night guards can be made with different materials:
Soft on the inside, hard on the outside for enhanced comfort and protection.
Hard on both sides for patients with more severe grinding issues.
Custom-Made Night Guard: Why Choose One?
A custom-made night guard is designed uniquely for your mouth, providing a perfect fit and optimal protection. The process typically includes:
Taking a digital scan or manual impression of your teeth.
Sending the impression to a dental lab.
The lab analyzes your bite and occlusion (how your teeth come together) to fabricate a guard that fits your mouth precisely.
Benefits of Custom Night Guards:
Superior comfort: Designed to fit your teeth perfectly.
Better protection: Covers all grinding surfaces and aligns with your natural bite.
TMJ support: Helps prevent stress and wear on the jaw joint, reducing the risk of TMJ disorders.
Longer-lasting: Made from durable materials designed to withstand long-term use.
When to Use an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Night Guard?
OTC night guards are pre-made, boil-and-bite or one-size-fits-most devices available at drugstores. These are only recommended for short-term use, in specific situations such as:
Pending dental treatments: Temporarily protecting teeth before a permanent solution.
Trial use: Trying out a night guard before committing to a custom one.
While waiting: If your custom night guard is being repaired or made in a lab.
Risks of Long-Term Use of OTC Night Guards
OTC guards are not customized to your bite, which can lead to problems if worn over extended periods. Here's what can happen:
You may unconsciously adjust your jaw to make the guard fit, leading to misalignment.
Prolonged misalignment puts stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to pain, stiffness, and potential long-term TMJ disorders.
These guards may not fully protect teeth from the force of grinding, leaving enamel and supporting structures vulnerable.
What Happens If You Don’t Wear a Night Guard (When Needed)
Without a night guard, chronic grinding and clenching can cause significant damage:
Tooth wear and enamel breakdown
Gum and ligament damage, leading to gum recession
Bone loss around teeth
Abfractions: Notches in teeth caused by stress and pressure
Fractures or cracks in teeth, sometimes making the tooth non-restorable
Conclusion - The Clear Winner – Custom-Made Night Guard
While OTC night guards serve a purpose for temporary situations, custom-made night guards offer the best protection, comfort, and long-term oral health benefits. Investing in a custom solution can prevent serious dental complications, preserve your natural teeth, and protect your TMJ – ultimately saving you from expensive restorative treatments in the future. At 1 Bethesda Dental Center in Bethesda, MD, we offer custom-made Night Guards, contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your treatment options.