Dentist NYC for custom mouth guards

On this page: (Click topic below)

What are custom mouth guards?

Whether you are wearing a custom mouth guard when you sleep, or while you are playing a sport, a custom mouth guard is there to protect your teeth.

A custom fitted mouth guard is fabricated in our dental laboratory. We take a mold of the teeth and then send it to our laboratory with a prescription, or instructions on what to make. They are made out of BPA-free heat molded materials. At Sachar Dental NYC, there are three types of custom mouth guards that we make. The most common type, is a night guard that is worn at night to protect the teeth from wear, due to clenching and grinding. Another type is a sports mouth guard that is used to protect the teeth from trauma while playing sports. And, the last type of custom mouth guard is a snore guard, which is worn at night to prevent snoring, by repositioning the jaw, and opening the airway.

Night Guards

Custom fabricated night guards

Custom night guards are mouth guards that are worn at night, that are made in a dental laboratory. They are fabricated based on a mold that we take of the mouth, and a prescription with specific instructions that we send to the laboratory.

What are custom night guards used for?

There are two main reasons to wear a custom nightguard. They are to prevent damage to the teeth and jaw joint when clenching grinding, and to treat a TMJ disorder.

The most common reason is to prevent trauma to the teeth and jaw joints, due to clenching or grinding at night. A person that clenches or grinds their teeth at night can cause trauma to the teeth and jaw joints. Clenching and grinding of the teeth can put more load on the teeth and jaw joint than they are able to handle. This can cause wearing away of the tooth enamel, and can also result in chips, fractures and cracks of the teeth. This load can also cause damage to existing tooth restorations, such as dental fillings and dental crowns. The excessive load can also cause pain to the jaw joint due causing a TMJ disorder. A night guard is able to able to protect the teeth and jaw joints from this kind of damage.

The other main reason to wear a custom night guard is to treat an existing TMJ disorder. A custom fitted a night guard may be able to relieve some of the pain and other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder.

What causes a patient to clench or grind their teeth?

Stress or anxiety
Unbalanced bite
Mal-aligned teeth
Missing teeth
Sleep apnea
Airway obstruction

Is a custom night guard worn on the upper teeth or on the lower teeth?

A custom night guard may be worn on the upper teeth or the lower teeth, but not both. Our dentists at Sachar Dental NYC will decide which one is appropriate for each patient.

What is involved in making a custom night guard?

The first step in fabricating a custom night guard is to take a mold of the patient’s teeth. This mold is then sent to our dental laboratory with a prescription with specific instructions on how to make the night guard. Each custom night guard is different and fabricated to specifications unique to each patient specific needs. The night guard is then fabricated out of a BPA-free, heat molded material. This produces a mouth guard that fits to the exact shape of our patients’ teeth. We then have our patients return to fit and adjust the night guard. During our evaluation of the night guard, we ensure that there is even load on both jaw joints, and that the bite is even everywhere. We then adjust the nightguard accordingly. Once the nightguard is fitted and adjusted, you will get instructions for the care and use of your night guard. You will be instructed to wear your night guard every night. You will also be instructed to bring your night guard with you to our office during your normal dental checkup and teeth cleaning appointments for re-evaluation.

Over-the-counter night guard from a drug store

Mouth guards that can be bought in a drug store are severely inferior to a custom night guard. Because they are not custom made, they can be big and bulky, and feel uncomfortable.

Additionally, over-the-counter night guards, including heat moldable devices, are made out of soft materials. Our custom night guards are made out of a hard bite plate that cannot be clenched into. Over-the-counter night guards can cause an increased urge to clench and grind, as is a natural response to have any chewy material in the mouth. This is especially exasperated in times of stress. Although it may work minimally to protect the teeth, it can cause more damage to the TMJ joint, as one clenches and grinds more.

Additionally, a majority of the over-the-counter nightguards contain BPA, which is a known carcinogenic. Over time, these materials release toxins into your body, as you teeth grind them into small fragments.

For all of the above reasons, we always suggest getting a custom night guard versus an over-the-counter night guard.

How long should my custom night guard last?

The duration of time that a custom night guard remains functional, in order to achieve the goal of protecting the teeth and jaw, depends on how much a patient clenches and grinds. We have had patients that need to replace their night guard once per year, and some patients where their night guard have lasted for many years without replacement.

We instruct our patients to bring their night guard into our office whenever they come in for their usual checkups and teeth cleanings. We evaluate the night guard to make sure that it is still functional. When a night guard shows wear such as pitting or indentations, we advise patients to have it replaced. These indentations allow the teeth to lock into one place, reducing the effectiveness of the night guard. Most dental insurances have no limitations on the time to replace the night guard, and will pay for replacement as necessary.

What is the cost of a custom night guard in NYC?

At Sachar Dental NYC, our charge for a custom night guard is $800. This includes taking a mold of the teeth, and all of the fitting and adjusting necessary. If there are any problems with the nightguard, this charge also includes returns visits for follow-ups and adjustments. Most PPO dental insurances cover the cost of a custom night guard at 80%.

Will dental insurance cover a custom night guard?

Most PPO dental insurance plans cover the cost of a custom night guard at 80%. As always at Sachar Dental NYC, we will check your dental insurance benefits prior to your visit. We will then be able to let you know if a custom fitted nightguard is a covered service under your insurance, and what is the percentage you need to pay. At the time of your visit, we only charge you for your percentage of the cost. We will then submit a claim to your dental insurance, and collect the insurance portion directly from them.

Can I use flexible spending dollars for these charges?

Yes, you may be able to use your medical savings accounts or flexible spending dollars to cover charges related to your treatment. At the time of your service, we will provide you with all the necessary documentation and receipts.

Do you offer payment plans for dental treatment?

At Sachar Dental NYC, we offer interest free financing through Lending Club and Care Credit. In 15 minutes, we will let you know if you are approved for interest-free financing. These options will enable you to make payments over the next 12-18 months without any interest charged.

Why are we the best dentists for a custom night guard in NYC?

As with all dental treatments, it is important to make a proper diagnosis before prescribing any treatments. At Sachar Dental NYC, our dentists have undergone extensive training from Spear Education for advanced dental training in Scottsdale, Arizona, that allows us to best understand when a custom fitted night guard is beneficial. As always, our philosophy is preventing problems is better than treating problems. A custom fitted night guard will prevent larger problems in the future, such as trauma to the teeth and the TMJ joint. We always use the least toxic materials in all of our dentistry, and in this case, BPA-free materials in our night guards. With our extensive experience of practicing in New York City, over the years we have made thousand night guards. Along with our training, this extensive experience allows us to prescribe night guards made out of the right materials, and with the right customized designs, to achieve the best results for each specific patient and pathology. No two custom night guards are the same, as no two patients are the same.

Anti-snoring mouth guard

Custom anti-snoring mouth guard (anti-snoring device)

A custom anti-snoring mouth guard is a type of nightguard. It is used for people to alleviate snoring by repositioning the jaw in order to open the airway. A custom anti-snoring mouth guard is a hinged device that covers both the upper teeth, and the lower teeth. It functions by repositioning how the upper and lower jaws fit together. In most cases, it moves the lower jaw forward, in order to open up the airway. An unobstructed airway then alleviates snoring.

How is an anti-snoring mouth guard fabricated?

Like a custom night guard, a custom anti-snoring mouth guard is fabricated in a dental laboratory from a mold that is taken of the teeth. Our dentists will then prescribe the adjustments and instruct the lab on how to fabricate the anti-snoring mouth guard. It is then fitted, adjusted and dispensed to the patient.

Sports guard

Custom sports guards

Custom sports mouth guards are also known as “athletic mouth guards”. Custom sports mouth guards are worn when playing sports, from amateurs to professionals. These days, almost all sporting organizations require participants to wear sports mouth guards as mandatory protective equipment. They are made for both children and adults.

What are custom sports guards used for?

Custom sports mouth guards are critical in protecting the teeth from potential damage that can occur in contact sports. Custom sport mouth guards typically cover the upper teeth and protect against broken teeth, lip injury, and other damage to the oral structures. They fit snugly over the teeth and do not allow the teeth to move during impact.