Why might a night guard or other protective appliance be advisable?
If designed correctly, nighttime appliances help keep teeth from moving, protect ceramic restorations, and protect teeth from wear damage caused by grinding or clenching. A smile is your greatest asset and can be safeguarded by wearing a night guard.

A night guard (occlusal splint, bite guard) my serve as a preventive measure for already healthy teeth, or it may be the best way of looking after your investment of cosmetic and restoring procedures. A night guard is often recommended as the first line of treatment for bruxism, (teeth grinding) and TMD (dysfunction of the TMJ). It is usually worn while you sleep to prevent damaging your teeth by the clenching or grinding associated with either the psychological aspects of stress, one's abnormal bite, a sleep disorder, or a combination of the above.

Can I talk with this night guard in my mouth?
Absolutely! Custom night guards are not bulky. They're custom-fitted for your individual teeth. Your tongue is not restricted and moves around freely. Our night guards are comfortable to wear while sleeping, plus you can wear them during the day without any restrictions. You will be able to talk while wearing your new custom-fitted night guard.

Is this a hard acrylic type night guard?
We sell both the hard acrylic night guard, and the soft night guards. Which one you choose should be based on your own grinding habits.

Is it really simple to take my own impressions at home?
Taking your own impression is not difficult providing your follow our step-by-step instructions. We include a guide in our kits that will walk you through the entire process.

How long does it take to get the night guards back?
After we receive your impressions, usually 3-4 days after you have shipped them; it typically takes us 5-7 working days to custom-make the night guard. It then takes another 2-3 days for them to reach you after we have shipped them. So please consider the time delay, and remember, your night guard is being custom made; and it takes a little loner than purchasing them from a store.

What about adjustments?
Because our night guards are not the boil and bite mouthguards but instead are custom made, there should be no need for adjustment.

What if they don't fit?
In the event that your night guard does not fit, we'll resend you an impression re-do kit so we can get another impression to remake your night guard.

What is bruxism (teeth grinding & clenching)?
Bruxism is the technical term for grinding and clenching that abrades teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench, often called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as during sleep.

Many people are unaware that they even have bruxism since it often occurs while they're sleeping. If you wake up with dull headaches or vise-like pain, you may be one of many people suffering from bruxism. Your dentist can usually detect the telltale signs of bruxism on your teeth.

Can bruxism cause harm?
Bruxism can either directly or indirectly cause many problems. Grinding can cause teeth to become painful or loose. Patients can literally grind away parts of their teeth, leaving them with worn surfaces or fractured enamel.

People who have otherwise healthy teeth and gums can clench so often and so hard that over time their teeth become sensitive and they experience jaw pain and headaches. Forceful biting when not eating may cause the jaw to move out of proper balance.

What are the signs of bruxism?
Grinding is a common occurrence among many people at some time or another. If you develop facial pain, fatigue or other problems, treatment may be needed. Talk with your dentist if you suspect that you are grinding your teeth. During regular dental visits, they usually check for physical signs of bruxism. When a person has bruxism, the tips of the teeth look flat. Teeth are worn down so much that the enamel is rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth, which is called dentin. When exposed, dentin may become sensitive.

Bruxers may experience pain in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or the jaw, which may manifest itself as popping and clicking. Tongue indentations are another sign of clenching. Stress and certain personality types are more often affected by bruxism.

For as long as humankind has existed, bruxism has affected people with nervous tension. Anger, pain and frustration can trigger bruxing. People who are aggressive, competitive, and hurried also may be at greater risk for bruxism. Incidentally, women have a higher prevalence of bruxism, possibly because they are more likely to experience tissue alterations in the jaw.

What causes bruxism?
More research is needed to determine the exact cause of bruxism, but it is thought that both emotional and physical factors are involved. Some of the contributing factors may be stress or sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, or crooked or missing teeth.

What can be done about bruxism?
There are a number of ways to treat bruxism. Your dentist will determine which single treatment or combination of treatments is right for you. When stress is the major cause of bruxism, you must find ways to relax. People who have difficulty handling stress may need to seek counseling, or the dentist may prescribe muscle relaxants to relax jaw muscles.

Many times a night guard can prevent grinding from occurring during sleep. To help alleviate muscle pain, physical therapy may be needed. The objective of therapy is to get the bruxer to change behavior by learning how to rest the tongue, teeth and lips properly. When some people become aware of their problem, simply advising them to rest their tongue upward with teeth apart and lips shut may be enough to change their behavior and relieve discomfort.

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