A Nightguard Offers Protection for Your Teeth and Jaw
A nightguard is a custom oral appliance that we recommend if you struggle with jaw discomfort, clinching, grinding, or wear facets on the biting surface of your teeth. Over time, this will cause damage to your teeth and jaw joints. Many patients experience this at night, and they are unaware of the issue. A nightguard is a great treatment option to stabilize the jaw and prevent the teeth from making contact.
Why Choose a Custom Nightguard?
If a doctor or dentist suggest wearing a nightguard, there are two main types for you to choose from. Ther are over-the-counter and custom nightguards. While a store bought nightguard is readily available, they often come with a one-size-fits-all approach. This generic fit can lead to discomfort and reduced effectiveness. On the other hand, a custom nightguard offers many benefits:
- Perfect Fit: We will create a custom nightguard using an exact mold of your teeth. This ensures a precise fit and the nightguard will stay in place throughout the night, providing consistent protection. Unlike store-bought versions that may slip or feel bulky, a custom nightguard molds perfectly to your dental structure.
- Durability: Custom nightguards use high-quality materials that can withstand the pressures of teeth grinding and clenching. These top quality materials offer superior protection and help the nightguard last longer. While over-the-counter options might wear out quickly, a custom nightguard can last for several years with proper care.
- Specific Needs: Everyone’s dental structure is unique, and a custom nightguard takes this into account. If you experience mild grinding or suffer from severe TMJ disorders, a custom nightguard will address your specific needs perfectly. This tailored approach ensures that you receive the most effective treatment possible.
The Process of Getting a Custom Nightguard in Glyndon, MD
Getting a custom nightguard involves an easy yet thorough process. Here’s what you can expect during your visit to our dental office to get a nightguard:
- Consultation: Your treatment begins with a consultation with Dr. Romay. She will assess your oral health, examining your teeth and jaw, and listen to your other symptoms to determine if a nightguard is a good treatment for you. This initial assessment helps us to learn more about the extent of your grinding or clenching issues.
- Impression: Once we confirm the need for a nightguard, Dr. Romay will take impressions of your teeth. We use a special dental putty to create a mold that captures every contour of your dental structure. This step is crucial for ensuring the nightguard fits perfectly.
- Fabrication: A dental laboratory then uses these impressions to craft your custom nightguard. The lab uses durable materials and precise techniques to ensure your oral appliance meets your specific needs. This process might take a couple of weeks, but the result is worth the wait.
- Fitting: Once your nightguard is ready, you’ll return to our dentist office for a fitting session. Here, Dr. Romay will check the fit and comfort of the nightguard, making any necessary adjustments. This step ensures that the nightguard works effectively without causing discomfort.
Custom Nightguard FAQs
The Baltimore Dental Co. team is always happy to answer any questions about this oral appliance that you might have. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about custom mouthguards:
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the technical name for clenching and grinding teeth. Some symptoms of bruxism are tight or sore facial muscles, tender teeth when chewing, severe headaches, and popping or clicking at the temporomandibular joint. Bruxism symptoms are usually worse in the morning.
How does a dentist fit me for a nightguard?
At Baltimore Dental Co., we have the most modern technology to make this process simple. A team member will use an intraoral scanner to take thousands of photos of your teeth. These photos will be stitched together to create a digital 3D model of your teeth. This first appointment will only take a few minutes.
We send your 3D model to our laboratory for printing, mounting to your particular bite, and fabricating the nightguard. The lab takes 1 to 2 weeks to complete this process. You will return for a 20- to 30-minute appointment, during which the dentist will try on your custom nightguard, check your comfort level while using the appliance, and make any necessary modifications.
How can a nightguard help with my teeth grinding?
If you are experiencing teeth grinding, a custom nightguard will protect your teeth as you sleep. It eliminates stress on the jaw joints, relieving TMD symptoms and preventing tooth damage.
Why is a custom nightguard better than one from the pharmacy?
A custom nightguard is constructed to fit securely over your teeth. These custom nightguards only lay on either the top or the bottom teeth. Over-the-counter nightguards are generally very thick, sit on both the top and bottom teeth, are too loose, and will wear out much faster than a custom nightguard.
How can nightguards help my TMJ disorder?
Custom nightguards can help treat TMD by holding your mouth in a healthier resting position as you sleep. By separating the teeth, the nightguard prevents the muscles from applying the pressure that causes your discomfort.
How long do custom nightguards last?
We hope that your custom nightguard lasts at least 3 to 5 years. Some of our patients have made their nightguards last much longer than this. It comes down to how you care for it, the frequency of wear, and how strong your unique case of bruxism is.
How should I take care of my nightguard?
At Baltimore Dental Co., we will educate you on proper nightguard care. It is important to clean your custom nightguard each day with mild hand soap and a toothbrush. You can even use a denture brush with stronger bristles and a better shape for the hard-to-reach areas.
Bring your nightguard to your appointments, and we will clean it in our ultrasonic cleaning unit—like a jewelry cleaning device. We will also recommend brands of at-home ultrasonic cleaners that we have tested for you. Nightguards should not be cleaned with abrasive toothpaste or soaked in alcohol-based mouth rinses. If exposed to extreme heat, the nightguard material will warp, so it is best not to place it in boiling water or leave it in a hot car.
Can I wear a nightguard if I have braces?
Yes, you can wear a nightguard with braces. Your dentist will design the nightguard to fit around your braces, ensuring it provides effective protection without hindering your orthodontic treatment.
Will wearing a nightguard affect my speech?
Initially, you might experience slight changes in your speech as you get used to the nightguard. However, most people adapt quickly, and any speech alterations typically resolve within a few days.
Schedule an Appointment Today to Get Your Custom Nightguard in Glyndon, MD
To get started, call 410.220.4680 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online by filling out the form.