Prepare for a Visit

An occlusal guard (often called a nightguard or bite guard) is a device that covers and protects the biting surfaces of the upper or lower teeth. It can be an effective method to prevent wear and damage to your teeth and dental work if you have the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.

Occlusal guards distribute some of the bite stresses that cause tooth damage by redirecting them into a plastic shell. They are not the same as an athletic mouthguard, which protects your teeth and tooth-supporting bone from injury above and below the gumline.

Occlusal guards can also be effective in helping prevent and treat issues related to jaw muscles and joints.

• If you have pain from temporomandibular joint dysfunction ("TMJ" or "TMD") or suffer from jaw or facial muscle pain or fatigue, occlusal guards can help reduce your discomfort by reducing the amount of force generated by your jaw muscles.
• Wearing occlusal guards can protect your jaw joints from excessive bite stress that can produce pain, damage, and dysfunction of the jaw joint.

Before the procedure

• Review your health status: You will share information that will help ensure that your dentist and their staff can provide safe and effective treatment and provide appropriate post-care guidance. Get important information here: Health history and current health status.
• Exam: If your dentist determines that your tooth wear is from your past and you no longer have a habit of grinding or clenching, you may not need an occlusal guard. This requires observation over time, including X-ray images, instead of just a single look into your mouth. Even if an occlusal guard is not needed, damage to your teeth or bite relationship may still require other treatment.

During the procedure

• Positioning the jaw: Your dentist will gently put your jaw into a stable position where the jaw muscles are relaxed and make a record of this position.
• Casting: Your dentist will make a diagnostic cast of your upper and lower teeth.
• Preparing the guard: Your occlusal guard is then produced and polished in a lab.
• Placing the guard: When your occlusal guard is ready, your dentist will make any adjustments needed to make it fit comfortably.

After the procedure

• Follow-up care: Your dentist will provide you with instructions on wearing and caring for your appliance.
• Adjustments: You may need follow-up appointments to allow your dentist to adjust your occlusal guard if it is uncomfortable or if your bite relationship is not correct with the guard in place.

When you begin wearing an occlusal guard

• It typically takes a little time to get used to how it feels.
• You may notice a temporary increase in saliva.
• If you need to wear a guard during the day, it may affect your speech, especially if the guard is for your upper teeth. It may be easier to speak normally with a guard made to fit your lower teeth. Typically, your speech will return to normal as you adjust to the new appliance.

Caring for your occlusal guard

Clean your occlusal guard daily to prevent bacteria from forming on it.

• Use a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft bristle brush, then rinse the guard with water.
• You can use a denture cleaning solution, though it may not be needed. Place your guard in a bowl of water, add the cleaner, and allow it to dissolve completely.
• Clean and store your guard in a ventilated case after every use.
• Keep your occlusal guard in a safe place when it is not in your mouth to avoid accidental damage. Pets (dogs in particular) are attracted to the smell of occlusal guards and can quickly destroy them.
• Don't put your guard in the dishwasher or use dish soap to clean it.
• Never put your occlusal guard into a microwave oven or attempt to sterilize it with any heat source. It will melt or deform.
• Rinse your guard with clean, cold water before putting it in your mouth.

• It is important for your dentist to know whether you snore and whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. Both of those conditions are related to the size of your airway. Occlusal guards should be made so that they do not further reduce your airway.
• If your guard gets chipped, cracked, or unwearable, it can often be adjusted or repaired by your dentist.

• A temporary or permanent composite resin filling material can sometimes be bonded to your teeth to help reestablish a proper bite relationship if you are grinding or clenching your teeth.
• Orthodontic treatment might be an option if your tooth wear is due to an improper position of your teeth or jaws.
• Your dentist may recommend jaw surgery if one of your jawbones is abnormally large, small, or malpositioned.

The damage caused by grinding or clenching your teeth can be expensive to repair if left untreated. It can lead to:

• Tooth wear
• Cracked teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Broken dental work.
• Jaw joint dysfunction and pain
• Jaw and facial muscle pain
• Bite collapse
• Chapping and cracking at the corners of the mouth
• Reduced lower face height
• Cosmetically unappealing teeth

• Am I currently grinding or clenching my teeth, or could my tooth wear be from a past behavior?
• Even if I get an occlusal guard, what can I do to stop clenching or grinding my teeth?
• How urgent is it that I get this occlusal guard? What problems can occur if I wait?
• How long should I wear my occlusal guard each day?
• How should I clean, maintain and store my occlusal guard?
• If I take good care of my occlusal guard, how long should it last? How will I know that it's time to replace it?
• Do you recommend any treatment to restore my teeth from wear associated with my habit of grinding or clenching my teeth? Is my bite relationship affected, and if so, will it need to be corrected?
• What are the risks to my jaw joints, jaw muscles, and teeth if my grinding or clenching habit continues, with or without the protection of an occlusal guard?