Dental night guards protect the teeth when people grind their teeth while they sleep. Grinding can lead to jaw pain and headaches. A night guard fits over the teeth, keeping upper and lower teeth from making contact with each other. Night guards come in over-the-counter and custom styles.
Stock Guards
According to the Dental Blog, stock night guards are purchased in a ready-to-wear condition, and they are the least expensive type of guard. They can be found at most pharmacies and big retailers or purchased online. They don't need any preparation. Stock guards may not fit properly. They tend to be bulky and may make it hard to breathe.
Boil and Bite Guards
Like stock guards, the Dental Blog says boil and bite night guards can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies and large stores or through websites. They cost a little more than stock guards. The American Dental Association says they usually fit better because they are customized, even though it is not done professionally. You fit the guard yourself by softening it in boiling water, then putting it into your mouth and allowing it to adapt to the correct shape.
Custom Guards
Custom guards are created by a dentist for each specific patient. Because of this, they tend to have the best fit but they are also the most expensive type of night guard. According to 1800dentist, they can cost up to $900, although the cost is sometimes defrayed by dental insurance.
