Types of Dental Night Guards
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Night guards are dental guards used to treat people suffering from bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and our teeth just aren’t built to withstand this constant force and abrasion. The excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth can do real damage to the tooth enamel, cause a tooth to crack, chip, or loosen. There are numerous potentially effective approaches to treating bruxism, and one should definitely use a multi-pronged offensive to fight this disorder.
But one of the most common elements to an anti-teeth grinding treatment plan is the wearing of a dental mouth guard, especially at night when most teeth grinding typically occurs.
There are three major types of night guards: Soft, Dual Laminate and Hard Night Guards.
1) Soft night guard
This is the most commonly used type of night guard and used mostly for mild or occasional cases, not for severe grinders. It is the most comfortable fit of all the night guards and is adaptable and easy to get used to. It is also usually a low cost night guard making its usage more frequent. However, the disadvantage of soft night guard is that some people unintentionally clench on to or chew the soft material while sleeping. This makes it less durable and gives it a limited life-span. Due to its limited life span, it is not considered as a long-term solution. The soft night guard is also well suited for people who suffer from teeth clenching rather than teeth grinding. The soft material cushions some of the clenching force.
2) Dual Laminate Night Guards
This type of night guard is for moderately severe grinders. They are soft on the inside and hard on the outside. It can handle heavy clenching and grinding and is thereby long lasting. Dual Laminate night guards come in a longer warranty than soft guards but it also is a little harder to adjust to. Due to its design, dual laminate night guards tend to be a little thicker than the other guards.
3) Hard Night Guards
Hard night guards are made from acrylic (a clear, hard plastic material) and are extremely rigid but durable. They can be used for very severe cases of grinding, as well as TMJ. They are the most durable among all the night guards and prevent teeth from shifting due to grinding. Usually, they offer the longest warranty. They are also much thicker than soft night guards and are comparatively more uncomfortable than others making it extremely difficult to get used to sleeping in with. These hard night guards have to be ordered directly through a dentist after taking an accurate impression of your teeth. Since these hard night guards are custom made for every individual, they are also on the expensive side.
When deciding on an upper or lower guard, there may be some obvious factors that will dictate your decision. If you’re missing teeth on either the upper or lower set, you will want to choose the set that has more. Same thing with loose teeth, or loose crowns/bridge work, etc- You’ll want to choose an opposing guard and avoid the potential to loosen that dental work with the continuous use of a tight fitting night guard. If you have all of your nice solid teeth on both the upper and lower and no plans for upcoming dental work, it really just comes down to preference.
