Our Services / Nightguards

What are nightguards?

Nightguards are protective devices that you place in your mouth overnight. They protect your teeth from damage and wear, which can happen if you grind your teeth at night. Nighttime teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is common and can do more damage to your teeth than you realize.

The Prime Orthodontics team can design a nightguard just for you, using impressions of your teeth. By using impressions, they can make a nightguard that’s comfortable when you wear it. It effectively cushions your teeth.

Can I benefit from a nightguard?

You might not realize you grind your teeth until a dentist points out the damage it’s done to your teeth. There are also signs and symptoms that point to bruxism. You might benefit from a custom nightguard if you have:

• Chipped teeth
• Morning headaches
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
• Facial pain
• Worn down and sensitive teeth
• Broken fillings

If you sleep near someone at night, they might tell you that they can hear you grinding your teeth at night. You should schedule an appointment at Prime Orthodontics if this is the case or if you notice other signs of bruxism like frequent headaches or face and jaw pain.

Which nightguard should I get?

When getting a custom nightguard at Prime Orthodontics, you have several choices. 

During your complimentary consultation, the team asks you if you’ve had headaches or jaw pain. They examine your mouth for signs of dental damage. Using this information, they can help you decide which nightguard to get. Your choices include:

Soft nightguards

Soft nightguards are the most comfortable. They work well for mild or occasional cases of bruxism but aren’t the best choice for chronic or severe teeth grinding.

Dual-laminate nightguards

Dual-laminate nightguards are soft on the inside, hard on the outside, and best for moderate to severe teeth grinding. They last longer than soft nightguards. But it can take some time to adjust to using them.

Hard nightguards

Hard nightguards are made of rigid acrylic material. They treat severe teeth grinding and TMJ. It takes time to adjust to using them because they’re thicker than the other choices.

If you suspect you grind or clench your teeth at night while you sleep, schedule a complimentary consultation on being fitted for a nightguard. You can call Prime Orthodontics today or schedule an appointment online.