Nightguards for Teeth Grinding: What to Expect

A custom dental nightguard is a small oral appliance worn at night by patients who grind or clench their teeth. If a partner has mentioned grinding sounds, or you have noticed jaw soreness or wear on your teeth, your dentist may bring up a nightguard at your next exam. This guide walks through what a nightguard appointment generally looks like at Mountainside Dental. Anything specific to your symptoms or your appliance should be discussed with your dentist at your visit.

What Is a Nightguard?

A nightguard is a custom-fit oral appliance worn at night. It is shaped to fit the upper or lower teeth and is used by patients who grind their teeth (a habit called bruxism) or clench, particularly while sleeping. A custom dental nightguard is made from an impression or scan of your teeth and fabricated by a dental lab, which is different from over-the-counter options sold at a pharmacy that rely on boil-and-bite shaping at home.

A nightguard is one tool a dentist may discuss when grinding or clenching is part of the picture. Grinding and jaw symptoms can also overlap with TMJ-related concerns, and your dentist may discuss both. For background on jaw pain, see our guide on TMJ and jaw pain. Whether a nightguard is the right step for your situation is something your dentist will determine after an exam.

Why Patients Book a Nightguard Visit

Patients often book when they notice things like:

• Wear on the edges or chewing surfaces of their teeth
• Jaw soreness in the morning that eases later in the day
• A partner or family member mentioning grinding sounds at night
• Headaches around the jaw or temples
• A dentist pointing out signs of grinding at a routine exam
• A previous nightguard that no longer fits or has worn down

Whether a nightguard is the right next step is something your dentist will determine after an exam and a discussion of your history.

Custom Nightguards and Over-the-Counter Options

Patients sometimes ask how a custom dental nightguard differs from an over-the-counter option. A custom nightguard is shaped from an impression or scan of your own teeth and fabricated by a dental lab. Over-the-counter options come in stock shapes that are softened in hot water and bitten into for a rough fit at home. Your dentist will discuss which option fits your situation.

The Nightguard Process: Step by Step

How Long Does a Nightguard Visit Take?

A custom nightguard is generally not a same-day appliance because the lab fabricates it from your impression or scan. Most patients have a consultation and impression visit, then return for a fitting visit. The wait between visits depends on the lab. Your front-desk team can outline the plan when you book, and your dentist will confirm the steps at your first visit.

What About Pain or Discomfort?

The impression or scan and the fitting visits do not generally involve anesthesia. The appliance itself is worn at night and takes some getting used to. Everyone’s experience is different, and how a new nightguard feels in the first few nights can depend on your bite, your jaw, and what you are used to. Your dentist is the right person to discuss what to expect and to adjust the appliance if something does not feel right.

If something feels off in the first few nights of wear, call the office. Small fit adjustments at the chair are common with new appliances.

Before Your Appointment

A nightguard visit requires very little preparation. A few notes:

• Bring a list of symptoms you have noticed, including when they tend to happen.
• Mention any previous nightguards and what worked or did not work about them.
• Tell the office about jaw injuries, sleep concerns, or recent dental work that might affect the bite.
• Bring your insurance card and a list of current medications.
• If a partner has mentioned grinding sounds, share what they have observed.

After Your Appointment

Your dentist will go over specific instructions at the end of your fitting visit, including how to wear the appliance, how to clean it, and what to watch for. General reminders most patients receive include:

Caring for Your Nightguard and When to Replace It

Day-to-day care is fairly simple. Rinse the appliance when you take it out in the morning and brush it with a soft toothbrush. Your dentist will tell you which cleaner is appropriate and what to avoid, including very hot water and abrasive toothpaste. Store the appliance in its case, away from heat and pets.

Signs that an appliance may need to be looked at include visible wear or thinning on the chewing surfaces, cracks or chips, a fit that feels loose or different, or new symptoms. These are reasons to call the office and schedule a check. Your dentist will examine the appliance, your teeth, and your bite and discuss the next step.

Insurance and Payment Options

The cost of a custom nightguard varies depending on the type of appliance, the lab, and your insurance plan. We do not list per-procedure pricing on the blog because every case is different. Your front-desk team will provide an estimate based on your specific treatment plan and benefits.

We accept most major dental insurance carriers, including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife, Guardian, Humana, Ameritas, and United Healthcare. For patients without insurance, we offer an in-house savings plan and accept third-party financing through CareCredit. Full details are on our Insurance and Financing page. See our dental financing guide for more on how CareCredit works.

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