What should you know about night guards?
Many people grind or clench their teeth at night without realizing it — a condition called bruxism. Over time, grinding wears down enamel, cracks fillings, breaks crowns, and contributes to TMJ pain, morning headaches, and disturbed sleep. A custom night guard is a thin, comfortable appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth like a retainer. It absorbs the force of grinding and clenching, protecting both your teeth and your jaw joints from damage.
Custom guards are far more comfortable, better-fitting, and longer-lasting than over-the-counter "boil and bite" guards from the drugstore. Most patients adjust within a few nights and many tell us their jaw soreness disappears almost immediately.
When might you need night guards?
Patients usually come in for night guards because of one of the following: morning jaw soreness or stiffness, frequent headaches, especially in the morning, worn, flat, or chipped teeth, a bed partner says you grind at night, TMJ clicking, popping, or pain, and you have crowns, veneers, or implants to protect. Only an exam can confirm what your mouth needs, so use this list as a guide rather than a diagnosis, and call the office if one or more of these sounds familiar.
A jaw that aches when you wake up is one of the clearest signs of nighttime grinding or clenching.
Tension headaches that show up before the day has even started are often caused by overworked jaw muscles.
Tooth surfaces that are unusually flat, shorter than they used to be, or chipping along the edges are classic signs of grinding wear.
Many grinders only find out because someone hears them. Audible grinding deserves an evaluation.
Jaw-joint symptoms often accompany grinding and improve significantly with a properly designed night guard.
Existing restorations are an investment worth protecting. A night guard prevents grinding from damaging or fracturing them.
What happens at a night guards visit?
A typical night guards visit at McLaren Dental Associates follows 6 steps, from evaluation of wear patterns to long-term monitoring. Your own plan may differ depending on what the exam shows, and the team explains each stage, along with any cost, before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
- 01Evaluation of wear patterns
Your doctor checks your teeth, restorations, and jaw joints for signs of grinding and discusses your symptoms.
- 02Digital impression
A quick 3D scan with our iTero scanner replaces traditional putty impressions. The scan goes straight to the lab.
- 03Custom fabrication
Your guard is fabricated in a lab to fit your specific bite. Materials and thickness are matched to your grinding intensity.
- 04Fit and adjustment
About one to two weeks later, you return for a fitting. We make any small adjustments so the guard feels balanced and comfortable.
- 05Wear instructions
You wear the guard nightly. We follow up at your next cleaning to check the fit and note any wear on the guard itself.
- 06Long-term monitoring
We monitor your teeth, restorations, and the guard at every recall visit and replace the guard when wear warrants.
Why choose McLaren Dental Associates for night guards?
Patients choose McLaren Dental Associates for night guards because of digital scan, no putty, lab-grade materials, bite analysis, and protects existing restorations. The same team handles your exam, treatment, and follow-up in one Midland office, and recommendations stay conservative, so you are never pushed toward more treatment than your teeth need.
A quick iTero scan replaces messy impressions and produces a more accurate guard.
Our lab-fabricated guards are far more comfortable and durable than any over-the-counter option.
Your guard is tuned to your specific bite, not a generic shape — the difference is immediate.
Crowns, veneers, and implant restorations all benefit from the protection of a properly fitted guard.
What do patients ask about night guards?
The 5 questions below are the ones patients ask most often about night guards, with straightforward answers from the McLaren Dental Associates team. If your question is not covered here, call (989) 631-7880 during office hours and a team member will answer it or set up a time to talk with the dentist.
Sources
- Bruxism — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Temporomandibular Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Tooth Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine