Reviewed by a licensed dentistTreatment: Night guardCode: D9944–D9946Question: Trade-offs
Night guard: risks and benefits
The short answer
A night guard is low-risk and reversible: if it doesn't suit you, you stop wearing it. The main downsides are the cost, getting used to sleeping with it, and the fact that it protects your teeth without curing the grinding.
Side by side
Benefits
- Protects teeth from wear, chips, and cracks
- Protects crowns, veneers, implants, and large fillings
- May ease morning jaw soreness for some people
- Nothing about your teeth is changed: it's removable and reversible
- A custom guard is fitted to your bite and adjusted so it feels even
Risks and downsides
- It usually doesn't stop the grinding, so it's a long-term habit, not a cure
- Takes some getting used to: extra saliva, a dry mouth, or trouble falling asleep at first
- Can cause soreness if it doesn't fit well; it may need adjusting
- A guard that covers only the front teeth can let the back teeth shift if it's worn for a long time
- Your bite may feel a little different for a few minutes after you take it out in the morning. That's common and should fade quickly; tell your dentist if it doesn't
- Needs cleaning and eventually replacing, and plans often limit how often they pay for a new one. See Why didn't insurance cover my night guard?
- You have to remember to wear it
Questions to ask
- How should it feel when it fits right?
- What should I do if it hurts or my bite feels different in the morning?
- How do I clean it, and how long should it last?
- Will you check and adjust it at my visits?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Reasonable if your bite feels different after wearing a guard, or if a guard that covers only some of your teeth is recommended for long-term use.