What is the difference between a night guard made by a dentist and one you buy i!
Question:
What is the difference between a night guard made by a dentist and one you buy in a store?
I know the dentist night guard is a lot more expensive. But is it advisable to get that one over the other?
Answers:
The difference is the one made by your dentist is called a functional appliance and the one that you get in a store is not. The functions of a night guard is to 1) protect the chewing surfaces of teeth 2) protect your facial muscles 3) protect your TMJ which is your jaw joint. A functional night guard has to be custom made so it replicates the contour of your natural chewing surfaces. So when you grind against the guard, your jaw is moving in a natural patent. A night guard should be about 2mm thick. when we are resting, our upper and lower teeth should be about 2mm apart. So the thickness of a good night guard would put your lower jaw in a natural relax position. That would prevent your chewing muscles from engaging fully and minimize pressure you apply on your TMJ.
Make sure the guard is made with hard plastic. Soft one would only encourage more intense grinding.