A night guard or a mouth guard is a protective device for your mouth that covers your teeth to prevent injury to your teeth, gums, arches, and lips.
Night Guard / Mouth Guard
A night guard or a mouth guard is a protective device for your mouth that covers your teeth to prevent injury to your teeth, gums, arches, and lips.
Night guards and mouth guards are often recommended for different oral health issues, the most common is if you are dealing with either TMJ/TMD or Bruxism. Mouth guards, which are extremely beneficial if you participate in sports or intense physical activity, are usually more economical. Night guards are most often created in a dental lab and are custom designed specifically for your bite.
The entire team at Missouri River Dental is committed to providing a patient experience unlike any other. The foundation of that philosophy is our personable and professional staff. We collectively strive to blend technology, art, and healthcare for each patient. Our goal is to provide you with an individualized patient experience unlike any other you have had at a dental office. We strive to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere for our patients while still meeting their dental needs, wishes, and exceeding expectations. Call us today at 701-751-7177 or enter your request online to schedule an appointment for your evaluation regarding the benefits of a night guard or mouth guard for you or a family member. You can conveniently find Missouri River Dental at 1600 Uptown Lane, Bismarck, ND, 58503.
Night guards and mouth guards are effective for preventing damage to your teeth, jaw, and overall oral health. If you believe you have symptoms associated with TMJ/TMD or Bruxism such as headaches, chronic jaw pain, and a feeling of restlessness resulting from disrupted sleep, then a consultation with Missouri River Dental will benefit you.
More Facts on TMJ/TMD
TMJ/TMD refers to oral health issues that develop in your jaw that are evident by headaches, teeth grinding or pain in your jaw. If left untreated, these disorders can develop into acute damage with your teeth and your jawbone.
TMJ, the temporomandibular joint, connects the temporal bones of your skull to your jaw and allows your jaw to move both side to side and up and down. If this joint is injured or inflamed, the symptoms can range from headaches, pain, numbness in your face, ringing in your ears, or a jaw that becomes difficult to open or locks.
TMJ disorders are classified into three categories:
- Myogenous TMJ problems: The most common type of TMD, Myogenous TMJ disorders include muscle related pain and are related to the discomfort in your jaw, temple, neck, or shoulders. These issues are often treated successfully with a night guard and even BOTOX® treatment.
- Jaw joint generated pain: When the pain is from an internal derangement of TMJ, which might be the result from an injury to the condyles, a displaced disc within the TMJ, or a dislocated jaw.
- Degenerative joint disease: The result of health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
More Facts on Bruxism
Bruxism is an unhealthy condition that is observable by the grinding, clenching, or gnashing of your teeth. Bruxism can happen while awake or while sleeping. If you have sleep bruxism you most likely have related issues such as sleep apnea or snoring.
Common signs of bruxism include the following:
- Headaches
- Hearing Loss
- Jaw Pain
- Worn Teeth
- Fractures or Loose Teeth
- TMJ/TMD
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MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL
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MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL
At Missouri River Dental, our goal is to create an exceptional patient experience. We strive to exceed that experience through being compassionate, clinically thorough and providing excellent communication.
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The Different Types of Night Guards and Mouth Guards
- A Soft Night Guard- This is a popular type of night guard for mild or occasional cases of Bruxism, but not for severe teeth grinding. They are the most comfortable, the most adaptable, easiest to wear, and lowest in price. This guard is not exceptionally durable and is not a long-term solution.
- Dual Laminate Night Guards- This night guard for Bruxism is for moderate to severe teeth grinding. They are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. They can control heavy clenching and grinding and will last longer. They are thicker and are a little more difficult to get acclimated to.
- Hard Night Guards- Hard acrylic night guards for Bruxism are very rigid. They are used for severe cases of grinding, as well as TMJ. They are the most durable, they prevent your teeth from shifting and last the longest. They are also made from an accurate dental impression at Missouri River Dental, are the thickest and are the most uncomfortable.
Fitting and Sizing your Night Guard or Mouth Guard
Personalizing the fit of your night guard will vary on the quality and the type. Here are some examples of night guards for Bruxism:
- “One-size-fits-all.” These are retail, off the shelf, mouth guards that are not custom fitted. These will work if you are just a random teeth grinder, and they are the lowest-cost option.
- “Boil and bite.” With this retail option you boil it in water and bite into it to create your own impression. It is simple to do and is a popular option. Good for simple sporting activities.
- Order online. These are night guards you order online. You need to send them your impression, and they then mail back your fitted mouthpiece.
- Made in lab. The absolute best alternative, you can get your guard created at Missouri River Dental. This will give you the most accurate fit because we create them with your impression in our dental lab.
If you think you might have a Bruxism issue, we can treat it with a night guard. It is best to see us at Missouri River Dental to see if we can diagnose the root cause and correct that before seeking other treatment. For example, sleep apnea might be the underlying cause.
Changing the Dental Experience Norm
One Patient at a Time
Missouri River Dental provides you with a clean, comfortable, and modern feel. Our team goal is to provide you with the best possible care utilizing the most current dental technologies and services. The entire team at Missouri River Dental focuses on providing comprehensive, quality oral health care that is always centered on you, our patient. We appreciate the value of your time. That is why we are flexible with our hours of operation; open early, open late, and open Saturdays. Call us now at 701-751-7177 or make your appointment online for your personal evaluation and consultation regarding the benefits of a night guard or mouth guard for either you or a family member. Our office is located at 1600 Uptown Lane, Bismarck, ND, 58503.