Reviewed by a licensed dentistTreatment: Night guardCode: D9944–D9946Question: Store-bought vs. dentist-made
Can I just buy a night guard at the store or online?
The short answer
You can, and they cost far less. The trade-off is fit: a store-bought guard fits less closely, can be bulky, and may not protect as well. For light grinding with no damage, one may be a reasonable start. For heavy grinding or dental work to protect, a dentist-made guard is usually better.
More detail
The main types you can buy
- Boil-and-bite: you soften it in hot water and bite into it. Quick and inexpensive, but the fit is rough.
- Mail-order custom: you take impressions at home and mail them to a lab. Fits better than boil-and-bite, but no dentist checks your bite or adjusts it.
- Sports mouthguards aren't the same thing. They're thicker and cushioned for impact, and usually uncomfortable to sleep in.
Store-bought vs. dentist-made
- Fit: a dentist-made guard is made from a precise mold or scan, so it's thinner and stays in place.
- Bite: a dentist adjusts it so your teeth touch evenly. An uneven guard can make your jaw sore.
- Durability: store-bought guards are often softer and can wear through faster under heavy grinding.
- Coverage: some store-bought guards cover only the front teeth. Wearing one for a long time can let the back teeth shift.
- Price: store-bought costs far less, and some plans pay part of a dentist-made one.
If you try a store-bought guard
- Check with your dentist first if you have crowns, bridges, implants, braces, or loose teeth.
- Choose one that covers all your teeth on one jaw, not just the front ones.
- Stop wearing it if your jaw hurts, your teeth ache, or your bite feels different.
- Bring it to your next checkup so your dentist can see how it fits and how it's wearing.
Questions to ask
- Would a store-bought guard be OK for me, at least for now?
- What would a dentist-made guard protect that a store-bought one wouldn't?
- Can you check the fit of the one I have?
- 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
Not usually needed. If you're unsure, try asking your dentist to look at a store-bought guard after you've worn it for a while.