Protect Your Teeth From Nighttime Grinding and Clenching
Grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep can contribute to worn enamel, damaged restorations, jaw discomfort and morning headaches. At Pure Dentistry Arts, Dr. Jonathan Rodney provides custom night guards in Brooklyn, New York, designed around your bite for comfortable, dependable protection.
Concerned about nighttime teeth grinding? Call 347-223-5850 or contact Pure Dentistry Arts to schedule a night guard consultation.
Signs You May Need a Night Guard
Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism, often occur during sleep. Because you may not be aware that you are doing it, the first signs may appear as changes to your teeth, jaw muscles or dental restorations.
A custom night guard may be recommended if you experience:
- Worn, flattened or shortened teeth
- Chipped or cracked enamel
- Morning jaw soreness or stiffness
- Frequent morning headaches
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Tight or tired facial muscles
- Damage to crowns, fillings or other restorations
- Grinding noises noticed by a sleeping partner
These symptoms can have several possible causes. Dr. Rodney will evaluate your teeth, jaw and bite before determining whether a night guard is appropriate.
Benefits of a Custom Night Guard
A night guard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. It does not necessarily stop the grinding or clenching habit, but it can help reduce direct contact and distribute pressure across the appliance.
Depending on your needs, a custom night guard may help:
- Protect enamel from continued wear
- Reduce the risk of chips and fractures caused by grinding
- Protect crowns, fillings and other dental restorations
- Reduce strain on the teeth and jaw muscles
- Limit grinding noise during sleep
- Provide a more secure fit than many store-bought options
If grinding has already damaged a tooth or restoration, Dr. Rodney may also discuss appropriate restorative dentistry options.
Custom Night Guards Versus Store-Bought Guards
Store-bought night guards are designed to fit a wide range of mouths. Some use a boil-and-bite material that patients shape at home, while others are sold in standard sizes.
A custom night guard is created from detailed impressions of your teeth and adjusted according to your bite. This individualized process may provide:
- A more precise and secure fit
- Better control over the appliance thickness and shape
- Materials selected for regular nighttime use
- Professional adjustments for comfort and bite balance
- Ongoing evaluation during routine dental visits
An improperly fitting appliance can feel uncomfortable or interfere with the way your teeth meet. A dental evaluation helps determine which type of guard and design are appropriate for your needs.
How Your Custom Night Guard Is Made
The process begins with an examination of your teeth, existing dental work, jaw muscles and bite. Dr. Rodney will look for signs of grinding, clenching and abnormal wear before recommending an appliance.
The night guard process generally includes:
- Evaluation: Dr. Rodney examines your teeth and bite and discusses your symptoms.
- Dental impressions: Detailed impressions of your upper and lower teeth are captured for the laboratory.
- Laboratory fabrication: Your appliance is created according to the shape of your teeth and the prescribed design.
- Fitting and adjustment: Dr. Rodney checks the fit, comfort and contact between your teeth.
- Care instructions: Our team explains how to insert, remove, clean and store your night guard.
Most patients receive their custom night guard within approximately two to three weeks. The timeline may vary according to the appliance and laboratory requirements.
Experience With Night Guards and Bite Protection
Dr. Jonathan Rodney has completed more than 400 cases involving night guards, TMJ concerns and occlusal appliances. He has also completed more than 25 hours of continuing education focused on TMJ function and dental occlusion.
This experience helps Dr. Rodney evaluate more than visible tooth wear. He considers how your teeth meet, where pressure is concentrated and how existing restorations may be affected before prescribing a custom appliance.
Caring for Your Custom Night Guard
Proper care can help keep your night guard clean and extend its useful life. Follow the instructions provided with your appliance and bring it to routine dental visits so its condition and fit can be evaluated.
- Rinse the appliance after removing it
- Clean it with the recommended products and method
- Allow it to dry before placing it in its storage case
- Keep it away from heat that could distort the material
- Store it where children and pets cannot reach it
- Contact the office if it becomes cracked, loose or uncomfortable
Your teeth and bite can change over time. A night guard may eventually require adjustment or replacement if it becomes worn or no longer fits properly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Night Guards
How much does a custom night guard cost?
Custom night guards generally cost between $300 and $600, depending on the material and complexity of the appliance. Our team will explain the cost before fabrication begins. We accept major credit cards and CareCredit™.
How long does it take to receive a custom night guard?
Most patients receive their custom night guard within approximately two to three weeks after their impressions are taken. The exact timeline can vary according to the appliance and laboratory requirements.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard does not necessarily stop the underlying grinding or clenching habit. It creates a barrier between the teeth to reduce direct contact, distribute pressure and help protect the enamel and dental restorations.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain or morning headaches?
A night guard may reduce strain associated with nighttime grinding or clenching, but jaw pain and headaches can have several causes. Dr. Rodney will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether a night guard is appropriate.
Can I use a store-bought night guard?
Store-bought guards may provide a temporary barrier, but they are not designed specifically for your teeth or bite. A custom night guard offers a more precise fit and can be professionally adjusted for comfort and function.
Can a night guard protect crowns, veneers and fillings?
A night guard can help reduce direct grinding forces on natural teeth and dental restorations. It cannot prevent every type of damage, but it may lower the risk of wear, chips and fractures associated with bruxism.
How long does a custom night guard last?
The lifespan varies according to the material, the severity of grinding, appliance care and changes to your teeth. Bring your night guard to dental visits so Dr. Rodney can check its fit and condition.
How do I know if I grind my teeth while sleeping?
Possible signs include worn enamel, chipped teeth, tight jaw muscles, morning headaches, tooth sensitivity and grinding noises reported by a sleeping partner. A dental examination can identify patterns of wear associated with grinding and clenching.
Schedule a Night Guard Consultation in Brooklyn, New York
A custom night guard can help protect your teeth and dental restorations from the effects of nighttime grinding and clenching. Dr. Jonathan Rodney can examine your bite and determine whether an occlusal appliance is appropriate for you.
Call 347-223-5850 or request a consultation online to learn more about custom night guards in Brooklyn, New York.
