What is the difference between a night guard made by a dentist and one you buy in a store?

Question

I know the dentist night guard is a lot more expensive. But is it advisable to get that one over the other?

Answer 1

The difference is the one made by your dentist is called a functional appliance and the one that you get in a store is not. The functions of a night guard is to 1) protect the chewing surfaces of teeth 2) protect your facial muscles 3) protect your TMJ which is your jaw joint. A functional night guard has to be custom made so it replicates the contour of your natural chewing surfaces. So when you grind against the guard, your jaw is moving in a natural patent. A night guard should be about 2mm thick. when we are resting, our upper and lower teeth should be about 2mm apart. So the thickness of a good night guard would put your lower jaw in a natural relax position. That would prevent your chewing muscles from engaging fully and minimize pressure you apply on your TMJ.
Make sure the guard is made with hard plastic. Soft one would only encourage more intense grinding.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the difference between a night guard made by a dentist and one you buy in a store?
I know the dentist night guard is a lot more expensive. But is it advisable to get that one over the other?

Answer 3

Night Guard Vs Mouth Guard

Answer 4

the dentist's one will fit better to ur teeth. They make a mold of ur mouth and then make the night guard. The ones at the store, they also have ones where you boil them and mold them. But they are a bit bulker and sometimes not always comfy. I still use the one from the store though. I'm always losing them or I have wore them out. So I can replace them for cheap. Beats paying $500 at my dentist. My dentist has seen it and says it's okay. Good luck!

Answer 5

The dentists takes a mold and the night guard they make will be unique to your teeth. One you buy in a store is made for everyone, and probably won't be as comfortable as a custom made one.

Answer 6

My dentist explained the difference like this. The one my Dentist made me fits over my teeth and is hard acrylic it protects the surface of my teeth. One cannot damage the teeth or make them shift. If I bite down on the custom made professional bite guard all my teeth does is slip apart. A store bought one is squishy. One tends to "chew" on store bought ones at night and an actually cause the teeth damage as the pressure of ones chewing during the night can hurt your teeth and gums. Your teeth might shift or if you have implants like I do cause stress on the implants in the bones.

Answer 7

The one the dentist gives you is made to your specific needs where as the one you buy is based on the average size so multiple guards can be made and sold. Buy one from the store until you can afford to get one made depending on how long you need to wear one.

Answer 8

JD,

THE DENTIST CAN BEST TELL YOU IF YOU ACTUALLY NEED A BRUXISM APPLIANCE SUCH AS AN N.T.I.tss BRUXISM NIGHT GUARD OR A PLAIN MOUTH GUARD.
THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DENTIST-MADE APPLIANCE IS THAT YOU PAY FOR THE K KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE FROM A PROFESSIONAL RATHER THAN NOTHING FROM WALMART. REMEMBER YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

Answer 9

The nightguard at the store, is sort of a "one fit all size", It has a flat bottom so the teeth could be a bit uncomfortable. The ones made at your dental office, actually fit right on your teeth, just like a retainer, and it helps you bite down better when you are sleeping.

Answer 10

the dentist ones are more custom made for you most likely and the dentist ones have better quality. i know not the most detailed answer but thats the short and sweet version