Which is Better: Customized or Over-the-Counter Night Guard?

Which is Better: Customized or Over-the-Counter Night Guard?

If you’ve ever asked your dentist for a quote on a professional mouth guard, you might have been a little taken aback by the cost. Is a mouthguard truly worth several hundred dollars? A mouthguard serves to protect your teeth from harm caused by impact, clenching, and grinding. In this blog post, our dentist in Edmonton discusses the benefits of custom mouthguards and the drawbacks of over-the-counter versus store-bought dental products.

Purpose of a Mouthguard

Get a mouthguard to wear at night if you have a condition known as bruxism, which causes you to grind and clench your teeth as you sleep, in order to prevent damage to your teeth. Your teeth can experience undue strain when they grind against one another, wearing each other down and even creating chips and crackers. Headaches and jaw pain may also be present when you wake up in the morning. Your teeth are cushioned and safeguarded by a mouthguard, which lessens these negative consequences and safeguards your dental health.

Purpose of an Over-The-Counter Night Guard

Stock and boil-and-bite guards are the two primary varieties of over-the-counter mouthguards in Chestermere. A mouthguard that comes with the package is made to fit any mouth. Even though it might end up fitting you perfectly, it won’t offer the same level of security as a guard that is created specifically for you.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards function by heating the mouthguard in hot water so you can shape it to fit your teeth. This type of guard will fit your teeth more comfortably than a standard guard, but it won’t be as secure and will degrade much more quickly than a bespoke guard.

Differences Between a Dentist Night Guard and an Over-the-counter Night Guard

Consider purchasing over-the-counter night guards near you instead of going to the dentist and saving hundreds of dollars. Learn how the two vary before making a choice.

  • Customized Night Guard

A dentist near you will take an impression of your teeth in the dental office and send it to a lab to create a custom-fit night guard. A personalized night guard will then be created in the lab to perfectly fit your teeth. To guarantee a snug fit, your dentist might also make adjustments to the night guard once it is received. This procedure can require three or more visits to the dentist over the course of a few weeks or a month.

  • Over-the-Counter Mouthguards

Stock and boil-and-bite guards are the two primary varieties of over-the-counter mouthguards in Chestermere. A mouthguard that comes with the package is made to fit any mouth. Even though it might end up fitting you perfectly, it won’t offer the same level of security as a guard that is created specifically for you.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards function by heating the mouthguard in hot water so you can shape it to fit your teeth. These types of night guards in Edmonton will fit your teeth more comfortably than a standard guard, but it won’t be as secure and will degrade much more quickly than a bespoke guard.

Comparing the Price of Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Mouthguards

Since purchasing mouthguards from a drugstore is significantly less expensive than going to the dentist for a custom guard, many people opt to do so. But the money spent on a personalized mouthguard is well spent. The only guards that totally cover your teeth, entirely protect them, and give you the most comfort are custom guards. 

Don’t completely rule it out, even if you think you won’t be able to purchase a personalized mouthguard. Find out if your dental insurance will pay for the appliance in full or in part, and ask your dentist if they offer payment options.

Visit Affinity Dental Kingsway

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our committed team of dental experts, especially when you are busy and need a weekend dentist near you. We are pleased to offer you top-notch, specially constructed mouthguards to safeguard your teeth and guarantee that you keep your oral health at its best for years to come. Schedule your appointment with us.