Night Guards in Massachusetts

Historically, night guards were first made out of iron and then later, acrylic. Recent advances in technology have led to the development of night guards that are also made from a soft material called silicone. A night guard made out of silicone is likewise referred to as a “silicone night guard.”

SILICONE NIGHT GUARDS

These are our soft custom night guards. Silicone night guards are constructed with an elastomer (rubber) base and reinforced with a polyvinyl siloxane lining. Features such as this give it better durability than other materials used for night guards. These night guards are known to help decrease problems with snoring, sleep apnea and minor signs of bruxism(tooth grinding). Soft night guards are more comfortable to wear but naturally wear out quicker than hard acrylic night guards. Silicone night guards also have the ability to fit into almost any mouth similarly to soft acrylic and unlike hard acrylic, which can chip or break when dropped or chewed on. As well, rubber will not trap bacteria like hard acrylic would. In silicone night guard construction, the elastomer is injected into a mold using a hot-press. The material will then cure and cool to form the base of the night guard. After this, it is removed from the mold and set aside to allow for curing. Once cured, it can be cut, polished, drilled or otherwise manipulated as needed in preparation for fitting. They will cover the entire tooth and part of the gums as well.

ACRYLIC NIGHT GUARDS

Our hard night guards are made of hard acrylic materials. These night guards only cover the portion of your teeth that makes contact with your other teeth and are often held in with metal clasps. Hard night guards are very beneficial for someone that exhibits severe bruxism(teeth grinding). If your are noticing any damage or tooth wear you may want to seriously think about getting a custom night guard. As the night guard cannot be worn with dentures, it is mainly suggested for long-term use. A dentist may suggest a night guard if you experience bruxism and pain that result from excessive tooth grinding whilst sleeping or even during the day. Hard night guards will last longer than soft night guards because of the hard acrylic material which is harder to chew through and damage. These night guards are often more bulky and therefore less comfortable than soft night guards but are necessary for certain sleep disorders. In order to create your hard night guard, an impression of your teeth will be made to create a custom fit night guard. Wire clasps will be custom fit around the model of your teeth, then acrylic will be poured over your model teeth to create a custom-fit night guard that incorporates the metal clasps. Custom night guards can be adjusted to sit more comfortably in the mouth without causing any discomfort during sleep. With proper adjustment, clients that use acrylic night guards report relatively minimal inconvenience from wearing them while sleeping, although they will need to get used to wearing them.

We will have you come in to test the fit of your night guard after all shaping and polishing has been completed. Night guards usually do not need to be refitted down the road, unless they have worn down or become brittle over time. Some night guards may require simple trimming if there are excess bits hanging off of them that interfere with creating a seal between teeth during night use.

Cleaning Your Night Guard

Night guards, whether hard or soft, should be cleaned at least once a week. You can clean your night guard with soap and water, toothpaste, cool water, or just letting it soak in mouthwash or baking soda and water. Some over the counter cleaners can provide stronger cleaning solutions but vinegar or hydrogen peroxide water can also serve as deep clean solutions.

Deep cleans are recommended once a month. However, it is still a good idea to clean your night guard regularly. We recommend rinsing your night guard before and after every use to optimally maintain it. Always use cool water when washing or soaking your mouthguard as warm or hot water may cause disfiguration to its shape.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO NIGHT GUARDS REALLY WORK?

Yes, night guards are very effect. Night guards are known to protect and even alleviate symptoms from medical conditions such as sleep apnea, tempromandibular disorder, malocclusion, and even epilepsy.

HOW MUCH DOES A CUSTOM NIGHT GUARD COST?

Soft rubber night guards will cost you approximately $100.

We offer a night guard that is both hard and soft.

Soft inside and hard outside to give the wearer the best of both worlds and make their night guard more comfortable.
We charge $180 for this night guard.
Hard acrylic night guards will cost you approximately $300.

SHOULD I GET A HARD OR SOFT NIGHT GUARD?

It depends on what problems you are experiencing while you sleep in order to determine whether a hard or soft night guard would be better for you. If you have minor tooth grinding or slight jaw tension a soft night guard may be sufficient. If you have severe tooth grinding and jaw tension a hard night guard may be necessary to protect from tooth and jaw damage.

SHOULD I GET AN UPPER OR LOWER NIGHT GUARD?

Whether you choose to get an upper or lower night guard is completely up to your personal preference. Upper night guards tend to stay in better but if you have an underbite getting a lower night guard may be more comfortable and effective. For conditions such as epilepsy you may want to consider wearing both an upper and lower soft night guard for tooth and tongue protection.

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