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| | | Clenching or grinding your teeth at night wears down the enamel and can lead to cracks, cavities, gum soreness and other wear-related problems. A night guard is a plastic device worn in the mouth while sleeping to soften the impact of clenching or grinding. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Some people get relief using a football mouth guard for $3 -$10 from a sporting goods department or store. However, many people find these to be too big, bulky and uncomfortable.
- Order-it-yourself night guards start around $15 -$25, but can cost up to $80 -$150. These range from a boil-and-bite type that is softened by hot water to adapt it to your mouth; to a "custom" guard in which you use a kit to make your own dental impression, then mail that to the manufacturer.
- Costs for having a dentist custom-fit a night guard vary from $200 -$600 with an average price of $300 -$400, but can go as high as $800 -$1,100. This process typically includes an initial office visit to make impressions of both the upper and lower teeth as well as a return visit to fit the fabricated night guard in your mouth. A night guard from a dentist is usually smaller and more closely fitted than over-the-counter or mail-order models.
- If there are symptoms of grinding and wear, many (but not all) dental insurance policies will cover most of the costs of having a dentist provide a night guard. Dental insurance does not usually cover over-the-counter or mail-order models.
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| What should be included: | - Bruxism is the official name for grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth at night; the MayoClinic.com provides an overview of bruxism and treatment guidelines.
- A night guard can be placed on either the top or bottom. If placed on top, the guard cushions the lower teeth and vice versa. Whether a guard is fitted to the top or bottom jaw may depend on the amount and type of dental work in the teeth--and some dentists have a preference for either the upper or lower position. Most night guards fill the whole mouth; but some fit over the front teeth and keep the back teeth from touching.
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| Discounts: | - Dental college clinics may offer reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty; check DentalSite.com for school locations.
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| Shopping for a night guard: | - Over-the-counter night guards are available from most drug stores, or from Amazon.com.
- To find a dentist, check with the American Dental Association for members in your area. If you have dental insurance, the insurance company will list approved dentists. EHow.com gives tips for finding a good dentist.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated November 2007 |
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