NIGHTGUARDS & OCCLUSAL GUARDS

NIGHT GUARDS & OCCLUSAL GUARDS

What are Occlusal Guards & Night Guards

Occlusal Guards & Night Guards are removable devices that protect against grinding and chewing during the night and more specifically during sleep. Occlusal Guards protect the teeth and prevent clenching of the teeth to avoid more serious complications such as TMJ. Occlusal Guards & Night Guards can also be worn during the day if the clenching and grinding is severe enough to warrant the patient wearing the occlusal guard during the day.

Night Guard & Occlusal Guard

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are Occlusal Guards made of?

  • Occlusal Guards & Night Guards

Night Guards are made of a hard, clear, acrylic, plastic material. The hard nature of the Night Guard allows the patient to bite on the night guard and protect their teeth during their sleep. This type of Occlusal Guard is suitable for people that suffer a heavy to severe night clench or grinding during their sleep. While there are acrylic night guards that protect the teeth during sleep and prevent clenching and grinding during the night, these differ from acrylic bite splints.

  • An Acrylic bite

splints helps alleviate and treat a TMJ issue and should be prescribed directly from the dentist. These type of bite splints are the most common type of splint due to its versatile nature, comfort and fit.

How much are Night Guards

This is a common question among patients and individuals across the web. How much do night guards cost? Night Guards and Occlusal Guards can range anywhere from $400 – $800 depending on your dentist and the location of your dentist. In more up scale areas, your dentist may charge more for an occlusal night guard. Additionally, if you need a more professional and more sophisticated night guard, they can range from $800-$1100 – this also depends on the type of material used (soft plastic or acrylic) as well as the location and the dentist that is prescribing the occlusal guard.

 

How to Clean Night Guards

Night Guards can get dirty and it is important to clean them properly. An easy and effective way to clean your night guard is by using distilled vinegar and allowing the night guard to sit in the solution for at least 30 minutes. After letting the night guard sit in the distilled vinegar, put the night guard in water and rinse to get rid of any excess vinegar. After setting the night guard in water, place the night guard in a hydrogen peroxide solution for at least 30 minutes. This will help to remove excess grunge and will clean your night guard. After allowing the nightguard to sit in the hydrogen peroxide solution, rinse the occlusal guard in water and make sure to dry your night guard completely. That is a simple and effective way to clean night guards.

Night Guard Cleaning in Vinegar Solution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do night guards work?

How do night guards work? Night guards act as a natural barrier and absorb and disperse the force of the clench between your upper teeth and lower teeth. By having this barrier it allows the teeth to alleviate the potential grinding and clenching. It protects the enamel from getting worn down which is crucial for the longevity of your teeth. If this grinding continues it can damage the dentin and could potentially lead to the tooth needing to be extracted by a general dentist or oral surgeon.

 

How long do night guards last?

Occlusal Guards and Night Guards can be specially designed for both the upper and the lower teeth. In most situations they are designed to fit on the upper teeth but that is only becuase that is the most comfortable for the majority of patients. Occlusal Guards can be made for either lower or upper teeth and depends entirely on the user’s personal preference. The longevity and duration of your night guards lifespan depends entirely on how well you wash the night guard and how well you treat it. Typically, they will last between 5 – 12 years, depending on stress levels and the amount of pressure, exertion and force that the night guard and occlusal guard absorbs.

Occlusal Guard and Night Guard Longevity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get a Night Guard & Occlusal Guard with Dr. Arash Hakhamian – Cosmetic & Emergency Dentist & Dental Implants Specialist

Come get a Complimentary Consultation at our office in downtown Los Angeles.

Call today to book your appointment 310-666-5701 or use our online scheduling https://bit.ly/2FyxS1F