You’ve visited your dentist, listened to his recommendations, and have had some dental work completed; maybe you had some old fillings replaced with crowns. Or, perhaps, you finally decided to cover the open space in your mouth with a bridge. Whatever the dentistry is that you chose, it is an investment of time and money to ensure your dental health for your lifetime.
You usually buy insurance for large purchases, for example your car or home. Your dentist often offers you “insurance” for your new smile. It’s not a piece of paper with a promise of compensation in case of an emergency, but a physical thing that you can hold in your hand and keep on your bedside table.
I am referring to a custom made and fitted night guard, which is a wonderful tool to protect your new crown, bridge, or any dental work from grinding and clenching (known as bruxism). A word of caution – over the counter night guards are inferior to custom guards because they are not able to be adjusted to the patient’s bite and will not provide the same benefits. The meticulous adjustments that the dentist makes gives the custom night guard its true value.
Custom night guards, which are fabricated in a lab, can often be adjusted if the patient has more dental work done. Within a couple of nights, the patient will be accustomed to wearing the night guard and it will not negatively affect his sleep. If, after several nights, the patient is having difficulty, he should return to his dentist for another adjustment.
You can expect your night guard to last between 5 -15 years– unless, of course, your dog eats it, which has happened to more than one of my patients!
After over forty years in dentistry, I believe that a custom-made night guard is one of the most important investments that you can make in your overall dental health. I also believe that is one of the cost effective “insurance plans” on the market today!
Call our office to schedule an appointment today at 215-364-2420.