Custom Night Guards in Mississauga
At St. Lawrence Dentistry in Port Credit, Mississauga, we use modern digital dental technology to create custom night guards designed around each patient’s individual needs.
Night guards may be recommended for patients who grind or clench their teeth, experience certain forms of tooth wear, or have jaw and muscle discomfort associated with excessive forces during sleep.
What Is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a custom dental appliance worn over the teeth, usually while sleeping.
It creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping reduce direct tooth-to-tooth contact associated with grinding and clenching.
Depending on your individual situation, a night guard may help protect your teeth from excessive forces and may also be recommended as part of a broader treatment plan for certain jaw or muscle symptoms.
A proper assessment is important because not every type of night guard is appropriate for every patient.
Digital Scanning for Custom Night Guards
St. Lawrence Dentistry uses 3Shape digital scanning technology to create digital models of the upper and lower teeth.
Traditional dental impressions use putty-like impression material, which some patients find uncomfortable or difficult to tolerate.
With digital scanning, our team can capture detailed digital information about your teeth and jaws without requiring traditional impression material.
The upper and lower scans can then be aligned digitally to help create a night guard designed for an accurate fit.
PROTECT YOUR TEETH WHILE YOU SLEEP
If you grind or clench your teeth, have noticeable tooth wear, or experience jaw or muscle discomfort, St. Lawrence Dentistry can assess your oral health and discuss whether a custom night guard is right for you.
The Benefits of Digital Night Guard Technology
Digital scanning can provide several advantages when creating a custom night guard.
A More Comfortable Experience
Digital scanning eliminates the need for traditional putty impressions, which can be particularly helpful for patients who find conventional impressions uncomfortable.
Detailed Digital Records
The scanner captures digital information about the teeth that can be used to design the appliance.
Custom Fit
The upper and lower dental scans can be aligned digitally to assist with designing a night guard that fits your individual teeth.
How Night Guards Can Protect Your Teeth
Protection Against Tooth Grinding and Clenching
Bruxism involves grinding or clenching the teeth and can place significant forces on the teeth.
Over time, excessive forces can contribute to tooth wear, fractures, sensitivity, and other dental problems. A night guard provides a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth, helping protect them from direct contact during grinding or clenching.
Helping Reduce Tooth Wear
Repeated grinding can gradually wear down tooth structure. A properly designed night guard can help reduce direct contact between opposing teeth and protect against further mechanical wear.
Jaw and Muscle Discomfort
Grinding and clenching can place strain on the muscles and structures surrounding the jaw. For some patients, a properly designed night guard may help reduce the forces associated with these habits and may be incorporated into a broader approach to managing jaw or muscle discomfort.
Frequently asked questions
What is a night guard used for?
Night guards are commonly used to protect teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching during sleep. Depending on the patient’s situation, they may also be incorporated into treatment for certain jaw or muscle symptoms.
Can a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard does not necessarily stop the underlying habit of grinding or clenching. Instead, it creates a protective barrier between the teeth and can help reduce the damage caused by direct tooth-to-tooth contact.
Can a night guard help with TMJ pain?
A night guard may be helpful for some patients with jaw-related symptoms, but TMJ pain can have many causes. Your dentist should evaluate your symptoms before determining whether a night guard is appropriate.
Are night guards custom-made?
At St. Lawrence Dentistry, night guards are customized for the individual patient. We use digital scanning technology to capture detailed information about your teeth and create an appliance designed for your mouth.
Does getting a night guard require traditional dental impressions?
Not necessarily. St. Lawrence Dentistry uses 3Shape digital scanning technology, which allows us to capture digital scans of the teeth instead of using traditional putty impressions.
Can night guards prevent tooth wear?
A night guard can help protect the teeth from direct contact caused by grinding and clenching, which may help reduce additional mechanical wear. Your dentist can determine whether one is appropriate based on the condition of your teeth.
Who should consider getting a night guard?
Patients who grind or clench their teeth, show signs of excessive tooth wear, or experience certain jaw or muscle symptoms may benefit from an assessment. A dentist should determine whether a night guard is appropriate for your individual needs.