A night guard is a custom-made oral appliance that protects teeth from grinding and clenching during sleep. This can prevent teeth damage, jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and even neck pain. At Mega Dental, we provide custom-made night guards made of a hard acrylic material that fits your mouth precisely for proper protection and a comfortable fit all night.

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, make an appointment with our dentist to see if you are a good candidate for a night guard. They will use an intraoral camera or a digital impression scanner to take a detailed impression of your mouth to create a perfectly fitted night guard for your needs. Once created, you will return to the dentist’s office to have the night guard adequately fitted and adjusted. Our Dentist in Richmond, TX may recommend wearing your night guard every night or only while you sleep to prevent discomfort.

Types of Night Guards

• Stock Night Guards

These are pre-made, one-size-fits-all night guards that can be purchased over the counter. They are typically the most affordable option but are the least customizable and may not provide the best fit or comfort.

• Boil-and-Bite Night Guards

These night guards are also available over the counter and are made of a thermoplastic material. They are softened by heating in hot water and then placed in the mouth, allowing them to adapt to the individual's teeth and bite to some extent.

• Custom-Fit Night Guards

Dental professionals create custom-made night guards. The dentist takes impressions of the patient's teeth and sends them to a dental laboratory, where a night guard is custom fabricated to precisely fit the individual's mouth. Custom-fit night guards offer the best fit, comfort, and protection.

The Benefits of Night Guards

• Teeth Protection

Night guards act as a cushion, absorbing the forces generated by grinding or clenching. They help protect the teeth from excessive wear, chipping, or fracturing.

• Jaw Joint Relief

Bruxism can stress the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), leading to discomfort, jaw pain, and TMJ disorders. Night guards help alleviate this strain and provide relief for individuals with TMJ-related symptoms.

• Muscle Relaxation

Night guards can help relax the muscles involved in clenching and grinding. This can reduce muscle tension and associated symptoms such as facial pain, headaches, and neck pain.

By preventing the grinding or clenching of teeth, night guards can contribute to a more restful sleep experience, both for the individual wearing the guard and their sleep partner. To learn more about the benefits of night guards, contact Mega Dental at 10510 FM 1464 Suite 100, Richmond, TX 77407, or call (832) 930-7723.