Night Guards Near You
Do you grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night? Do you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or tooth pain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to talk with your Calgary dentist about night guards. Night guards, also known as occlusal guards, occlusal splints, bite splints, or a bruxism appliance, are a soft plastic device that slips over your teeth and provides a cushion. They can help with a variety of different conditions and can be custom made or purchased over-the-counter.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a medical condition that causes a person to grind or clench their teeth. While this can occur during the day, most cases of bruxism occur at night and is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. This condition often occurs with other sleeping disorders, such as sleep apnea or snoring. Mild bruxism is usually not an issue, but severe cases can lead to headaches, jaw disorders, and damage to the teeth.
Many people do not know that they have this condition but may recognize some symptoms as well as have some signs that a dentist can see. Symptoms include headaches, jaw, neck or facial pain, and tooth pain. You may also experience damage to the inside of the check from biting or chewing. Your dentist may see signs of flattened, damaged, or chipped teeth, as well as worn down enamel.
How Do Night Guards Help?
Which Night Guard is Right for Me?
Not every night guard is made the same. The cheapest option are stock night guards that are found in a drug store or pharmacy. These are a one-size-fits-all model and, in some cases, can actually cause more problems because they do not fit properly.
Custom night guards are made by taking a mold of your upper teeth and using that to create a perfect guard that fits your teeth. These guards fit snug so there is no worry about shifting or moving. Custom night guards are typically thinner than stock guards and much more comfortable, while still providing the necessary cushion.
What to Expect When Wearing a Night Guard
Other Benefits of the Night Guard
Are Custom Night Guards Worth the Cost?
While the cost of a custom night guard may seem a lot more than the stock variety, you need to consider the costs that a custom night guard will prevent. Bruxism is the leading cause of dental damage and root canals. A root canal is an expensive dental procedure and one that night guards help prevent. As you grind your teeth, you wear down the enamel, increasing the risk of dental decay and injury to the tooth, resulting in more costly dental procedures. Unlike stock mouth guards, a custom guard assures that your jaw is properly aligned. A stock guard does not do this and disrupting jaw alignment can cause even more issues.
To learn more about bruxism and how a custom fit Night Guard helps treat your symptoms of bruxism, please contact us at (587) 327-2780 to schedule your visit with Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh!
Call us at (587) 327-2780 to request your consultation at Inglewood Family Dental today!
The Process
Consultation
Talk about your dental needs and if a night guard helps.
Assessment
Detailed oral examination and digital imaging for treatment precision.
Impression
A mold of your teeth is taken for a custom fit.
Fabrication
The night guard is made to fit your teeth perfectly.
Fitting
The dentist makes sure it fits properly and feels pleasant.
Adjustments
Small modifications are performed to provide the greatest fit.
Instructions
Learn how to use and care for it.
The Benefits
- This protects from the damage of teeth grinding and clenching at nighttime.
- Eases jaw pain, discomfort, and tightness caused by grinding.
- Lowers the chance of teeth breaking or getting harmed from grinding.
- Helps you sleep better by reducing nighttime disturbances.
- Prevents headaches that come from grinding or clenching your jaw.
- Keeps dental work like crowns, bridges, and veneers safe.
- Made to fit your mouth perfectly for comfort, avoiding soreness.
- Strong and easy to clean, offering protection that lasts.
