Are you in the market for a night guard? Whether your dentist has given you a quote for one and you'reconsidering buying a cheap DIY version
for $20 instead or whether you've noticed your teeth grinding on your own and see no reason to get your dentist involved, DIY night guards can
have mixed results.
The boil-and-bites tyle mouth guards you can buy on your own have a quick-and-dirty approach to fitting, whereas your dentist's offers more of a
custom fit. It's true that the DIY approach may have some benefits, but the professional version offers more benefits. Here are the pros and cons
of getting your mouth guard from your dentist.
Pro: Better Fit
A night guard is supposed to keep your teeth from grinding together at night. It isn't supposed to move around, hold your jaw in an unnatural
position, or cause pain.
However, with a DIY model, you may get a mediocrefit or even a poor fit that places more pressure on certain parts of your mouth. Not only is
this uncomfortable to wear, but it may cause daytime jaw pain and may even alter your bite.
Pro: Slim Line
Some DIY night guards are so thick that your jaw has to remain awkwardly posed for the entire night. Fortunately, the custom-fitted ones that
your dentist provides are much slimmer, making them not only easier to use and more comfortable but less likely to aggravate TMJ syndrome.
Pro: Hands-Off Fabrication
If you don't like sweating over a boiling pan and scalding yourself with a hot mouth guard that will be ruined if you don't follow the instructions just
right, you'll be only too glad to avoid DIY options. When you choose the professional night guard,all you have to do is let your dentist take
impressions and x-rays and then check the fit of the final product when it arrives.
Pro: Fewer Decisions
Another benefit of having your dentist take care of your night guard is that you won't have to spend hours on the internet doing research about
which DIY option is the best, whether you need an upper or lower night guard, which styles are likely to work for you,and so on. Instead you
simply trust the professionals, who likely see cases like yours every day.
Con: Higher Cost
Of course,as with anything in life,a high-quality professional option tends to cost more. Depending on how severe your bruxism is, you may
regularly chew through your night guards, meaning you may need to have this expensive piece of equipment replaced every few months.
If you have good insurance that covers night guards, replacement won't bean issue; but otherwise, you'll have to weigh the price against the
challenges and inferior results of DIY and decide if a professional fitting is still the best option for you or not. Keep in mind that a professional fit
may help you avoid chewing through the night guard as quickly though.
Your dentist's recommendation to choose a professionally fitted night guard isn't just because they want your business. The custom-fitted version
is a much better quality and more likely to be comfortable and effective at what you're using it for.
So if you can afford it,consider giving the professionally fitted version a try. You can always revert to a DIY option if you don't find the benefits
compelling. If you'rein need of a night guard,a dental cleaning, or any other dentistry today, give Michael G. Landy DDS a call to schedule an
appointment. We offer allt he major dental services, from orthodontics to cosmetic dentistry.
