60 DAY warranty on all custom-made products | 1,000+ 5 Star ★★★★★ Reviews60 DAY warranty on all custom-made products | 1,000+ 5 Star ★★★★★ ReviewsThe main differences between a store-bought and a dentist-made night guard are durability, fit, and price. Store-bought guards are cheap but use thin plastic that often lasts under a year; a custom, dentist-made night guard is molded to your teeth and can last several years. Ordered by mail from a lab like Dental Lab Direct, that same custom fit costs a fraction of what a dentist charges.
You desire having white, straight and gleaming teeth, right? Regular brushing, flossing, and cleaning are an ideal start, but if you are one of the millions of people who grind their teeth at night, you may require a nightguard to keep that smile of yours looking at its best.
For effective protection against the damage caused by grinding your teeth in your sleep, it is best to get a custom fit nightguard.
Reasons to use a Nightguard
Gnashing, clenching, or grinding your teeth when you sleep can cause a swollen jaw as well as erode the protective enamel, causing painful sensitivity to cold or hot foods. Complaints of pain while chewing or tender jaw can also be a sign of teeth grinding.
If you suspect any of these signs, it is best to discuss the problem with a professional dental specialist, such as that at Dental Lab Direct.
| Night guard type | Fit | Durability | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store-bought (boil-and-bite) | One-size, boil-and-bite | Often under a year | $ (low) |
| Dentist-made (custom) | Molded to your teeth | Several years | $$$ (often $300-$800) |
| Mail-order custom (Dental Lab Direct) | Custom, from your at-home impression | Several years | $$ (a fraction of the dentist) |
When considering your varied options for a night mouth guard, you will likely come across some basic solutions: DIY guards, store-bought, or custom-molded guards curated by a dentist.
Here, we have detailed three factors that can help you make the right choice.
Mouth nightguards curated by the dentists last longer than the store-bought ones as the fabrication is made up of higher quality of materials. They are stronger, and so, they offer the teeth greater protection against nighttime grinding.
One the other hand, store-bought night guards are made from cheaper types of plastic, and so, they are inexpensive when compared to the ones made by the dentist. Mouth nightguards curated by the dentist can last for several years, whereas store-bought ones typically last less than a full year.
They also help alleviate jaw strain and lead to better jaw muscle positioning to prevent long-term teeth clenching and grinding during the day.
There are chances that the materials used in store-bought ones are not robust enough to withstand certain levels of grinding or that the guards may not stay in place during sleep cycles. Contingent on the severity, this could lessen the protection the nightguard is actually offering and still cause grave dental issues which could lead to root canals, crowns, or even tooth loss.
Mouth nightguards that are curated by a dentist are customized to fit your teeth properly, and therefore, they will not fit anyone else’s mouth. Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth that are used to develop a customized mouth guard that fits accurately over the teeth. Since nightguards curated by a dentist are designed to fit your teeth, they provide greater comfort and a better fit than their counterparts.
On the other hand, store-bought night guards are already fashioned with one-type-fits-all design. While they may fit some individuals well, they are not going to deliver a comfortable fit for everyone.
Because of the extra amount of work involved in curating the nightguards made by the dentist, their cost is considerably higher than what you would pay for a store-bought one.
But this is exactly where Dental Lab Direct comes into play. We at Dental Lab Direct provide custom made nightguards at a fraction of the cost of the dentist because we get it done remotely at a lab.
If you go for a store-bought mouth guard, you might need to try a couple of different sizes and brands until you find the one that works best for you. A frank discussion with your dentist can give you some insight on how serious your teeth grinding is, and can also give you insight into which option she/he thinks is the most appropriate for your dental care.
If you have a habit of grinding at night and it’s causing you pain, take an online consultation immediately with us at Dental Lab. Do not hesitate to reach out to us to discuss the advantages of a night mouth guard or any other dental appliances you or your family may require!
How much is a night guard from the dentist?
A custom night guard from a dentist's office typically runs $300-$800, depending on your area and the guard's thickness. The same custom, lab-made guard ordered by mail from Dental Lab Direct costs a fraction of that, because there's no chair-side visit.
Is a store-bought night guard as good as one from the dentist?
For occasional, light grinding a store-bought guard can help short term, but it's one-size, made of thin plastic, and usually lasts under a year. For real protection against nightly grinding, a custom-molded guard fits better and lasts several years.
What's the difference between a store-bought and a custom night guard?
A store-bought guard is boil-and-bite and generic; a custom night guard is made from an impression of your own teeth, so it fits precisely, feels more comfortable, and protects your enamel far better.
Can you get a custom night guard without going to the dentist?
Yes. With a custom night guard by mail, you take your own impression at home with an included kit ($59 value), mail it back, and receive a lab-made guard in about 3 to 4 weeks - backed by a 60-day warranty.
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I loved the way these fit so much I decided to buy a backup set.
