Comparing the Different Types of Night Guard for Teeth Grinding

If you grind or clench your teeth (otherwise known as bruxism), you’re likely frustrated or confused by all the different options out there, whether it’s a night guard from your dentist, an over the counter version, one from an online dental lab, or even a 3D printed night guard. Let’s break down all the different types to find the best night guard for teeth grinding.

Firstly, let’s talk about the most accessible mouth guard for teeth grinders, the over-the-counter mouth guard. They can be easily purchased at most major pharmacy stores and are advertised to be custom made, in that it can be molded to your teeth by boiling the material and biting into it.  These mouthguards are the cheapest, both in terms of price and quality. This is a good option if you need something quick, easy, dispensable but not a great if you’re looking for something truly custom.

Next, truly custom made night guards are those actually fabricated from an impression of  your teeth. The first one to know is the typical night guards are made at a dental lab, or sometimes in-house at the dentist, and then sold to you. Since this is a custom night guard that’s fitted at your dentist appointment, your dentist can observe your bite in person and make any minor adjustments to the night guard. Many consider this version to be the best dental night guard option since your dentist is involved. Unfortunately, this option is also the most expensive.

This leads us to another truly custom made night guard for teeth grinding option - those made by online dental labs. These night guards are still custom made but sold by the dental lab directly to you, the customer, cutting out the dentist. This is a very convenient and cost-effective option since you can take your impression from the comfort of home, but you do have to look out for quality since not all companies are alike. This is a great way to get a truly custom made night guard just like at the dentist, but without the dentist prices.

There may be several options but now that you’re well educated on the different types, it should be easy to find the best mouthguard for grinding teeth!