Dental professionals? night guard- teeth grinding- STICKER SHOCK!

[CheapMom]

Both my teenagers and my self are MAJOR teeth grinders during sleep. Just came from dentist who says we are all wearing away our teeth badly from the grinding. Recommends custom guards. Insurance does not cover the dental mouth guard and the price was over $400 for each.

I told them I would think about it as I wanted to do some research. I am seeing lots of over the counter products from the $25-$50 range. Are these any good. Or should I just pony up the $1400 and just get the good guards?

personal experiences? professional opinions? thoughts?

 

[casjen]

I am not a dentist but wear a custom made night guard. I tried the cheap ones in CVS etc and they fit terribly (for me anyway). You want it to fit reqally well b/c if it doesn't, it can make you queasy. I get nauseous every night when i put my night guard in but then it passes. My DH has no issues with his.

The custom one will last a long time if you take care of it. My dentist said it is the mold they make of your teeth that costs the most, not the actual guard.

I was literally wearing my teeth down from grinding and even cracked one. The night guard has made a huge difference in my tooth and jaw pain, and I have less headaches. It is expensive but worth it. These are the only teeth you'll have.

 

[Molly Meow]

I paid about $500 for mine.

I tried the cheapies that you talk about, and just spit them out in my sleep. There is no way you'll spit out the one that the dentist will give you. Also, the one that you'll get from the dentist is super thick - the cheapies are not.

In my opinion, this is definitely something worth the expense. I sleep SO much better now, and so does DH since I'm not waking him up with the grinding.

You could always try the others - just remember, crowns are a lot more $$$ than mouth guards.

Good luck!

 

[packofjedis]

I, too, tried the over the counter ones but they actually messed up my gums on one side. I'm back to the several hundred dollar custom one and it's so much better.

I wouldn't waste the money on the over the counter ones. If you're as bad of a grinder as you say, they're not going to do the job at all.

 

[amylynne01]

I have one also and I think I paid no more than $200 for it. It is a custom one from my dentist - I had molds done of my mouth and went back when it was done. Can you ask around at different dentists or dental offices (like Aspen Dental) for a cost? Does your insurance cover any of it?

 

[threeiscrazy]

If you live near a college that has a Dental school or Dental Hygiene Program you can have a student make one for much less $$$.

 

[CheapMom]

also, my kids (13&14) don't have their wisdom teeth yet, so I guess these custom guards will need to be redone after that point? Not sure. Anyone know?

 

[MEM]

also, my kids (13&14) don't have their wisdom teeth yet, so I guess these custom guards will need to be redone after that point? Not sure. Anyone know?

Not necessarily re-done - adjusted. Any time the occlusion changes due to dental work the guard might need to be re-adjusted. However, I received my night guard from a dentist and adjustments are free, as needed. I would not bother with the OTC ones - you need a custom night guard that will snap into place and stay there...the force your jaws put on your teeth is considerable.

 

[secretpantssam]

I'm a big grinder too. I originally bought a guard at Target and it was huge...every night it looked like I was going into the boxing ring! It was really uncomfortable and I always took it out while I was sleeping. I went to my dentist and he also suggested a custom guard at $300, I was shocked and I waited a month or so. But my grinding got really bad and I was in a lot of pain, so I gave in. It was a great decision! My guard is small and fits perfectly and it really cuts down on the morning jaw ache. I got it about 5 years ago and it's still holding up perfectly. It may have been expensive, but I really think it was worth it.

 

[lougoofy]

I've had mine for years. It cost around $250 I think from a dental school.

 

[gr8mommy]

I have a custom one. Worth every penny!

 

[sk!mom]

Dh has a custom guard but his with impressions and everything was only $250ish (don't remember exactly but more than $200 less than $300). It fits perfectly and is comfortable for him to sleep in. He no longer has jaw issues from all the grinding.

I would do the custom but maybe shop around on the price. Contact some other dentists and see what they charge. $400 may be the rate in your area.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

Just a tip from someone in the dental trade...when we were in school we went to walmart, target or any sporting supply store and bought the football guards off the shelf then when patients came in we stuck those in water that had been boiling for about 30 seconds took them out let them cool for about 3-5 seconds so its pliable but not scalding hot put them into the patients mouth and had them bite down then suck out the air by putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallowing, you then gently form the guard around your teeth so it's snug but not super tight...voila! a custom made guard just like we did in dental school for $1. I still use mine and make a new one about every 6 months...

 

[wbn36]

Just a tip from someone in the dental trade...when we were in school we went to walmart, target or any sporting supply store and bought the football guards off the shelf then when patients came in we stuck those in water that had been boiling for about 30 seconds took them out let them cool for about 3-5 seconds so its pliable but not scalding hot put them into the patients mouth and had them bite down then suck out the air by putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallowing, you then gently form the guard around your teeth so it's snug but not super tight...voila! a custom made guard just like we did in dental school for $1. I still use mine and make a new one about every 6 months...

Yes!!!! Here is my story. Had a custom one made. Instead of letting my molars touch, it popped into the room of my mouth but made my front bottom teeth touch. So then all my presure was going on my two bottom teeth. Boy the pain. Do research. So instead of putting pressure on all my molars, it was was going on my two small bottoms. I was doing some damage.

The best guard I have found is a sports one from sports authority. It is big, but has been the only one to help. $9.99 called the shock dr. It is hot pink. My husband laughs and tell me how hot I look at night.

 

[MickeyReeds]

anybody have experience with the mail order kind where they send you an impression kit, you make the impressions and send it back and they make the guard. About $60-$150 depending on the material you choose.

 

[HillPete]

Just a tip from someone in the dental trade...when we were in school we went to walmart, target or any sporting supply store and bought the football guards off the shelf then when patients came in we stuck those in water that had been boiling for about 30 seconds took them out let them cool for about 3-5 seconds so its pliable but not scalding hot put them into the patients mouth and had them bite down then suck out the air by putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallowing, you then gently form the guard around your teeth so it's snug but not super tight...voila! a custom made guard just like we did in dental school for $1. I still use mine and make a new one about every 6 months...

DH used to have a custom made one. He bit through it in about 2 years. See above for what we tried next. He figured if it didn't work, we were only out a few dollars. He says it fits better and relieves pain better than the expensive one.

IMHO, you should hit Dick's or Target and get the football one first. If it doesn't work, then make the big investment.

HTH,
-H

 

[shaylahc1]

Just a tip from someone in the dental trade...when we were in school we went to walmart, target or any sporting supply store and bought the football guards off the shelf then when patients came in we stuck those in water that had been boiling for about 30 seconds took them out let them cool for about 3-5 seconds so its pliable but not scalding hot put them into the patients mouth and had them bite down then suck out the air by putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallowing, you then gently form the guard around your teeth so it's snug but not super tight...voila! a custom made guard just like we did in dental school for $1. I still use mine and make a new one about every 6 months...

Yep this has been our experience too. My DH wears one and just gets the $1 Walmart ones and boils them to fit his teeth. He chews through them every 6 months or then gets a new one.
My dentist told me this is what he does too

 

[CheapMom]

Wow- lots of good advice- thanks. Will probably try PrinceCharmingMom's advice first and go from there

 

[dreamin_disney]

i too was hsocked at the price. Even though i can get mine reinbursed with flex acct it to much. years ago i bought the sports night guard and was fine with it. About 3 months ago i bought the $20-24 one and it sucks. I think i'll go back to the .97 one from wal-mart sports one. after a few days its perfect becasuse of the grinding. I was amazed at the marks it had when i ran my finger over the molar part-wow! I had to have crowns done so i spent lots of money and dont want anymore crowns if i had just worn a night guard at that time

 

[dreamin_disney]

i too was hsocked at the price. Even though i can get mine reinbursed with flex acct it to much. years ago i bought the sports night guard and was fine with it. About 3 months ago i bought the $20-24 one and it sucks. I think i'll go back to the .97 one from wal-mart sports one. after a few days its perfect becasuse of the grinding. I was amazed at the marks it had when i ran my finger over the molar part-wow! I had to have crowns done so i spent lots of money and dont want anymore crowns if i had just worn a night guard at that time

Just got back from the dentist. I had to get a chipped tooth fixed . My grinding must be geeting worse. I bite down on the molars but I also dring my two from teeth. The dentist told me he doesnt care if i wear a cheap mouth guard but I need to start wearing it every night. I've tried the .97 one and a $20 one but the $20 one was more uncomfortable. The Occlusal guard the dnetist showed me seemed a lot thinner and causght my attention. I wish my Insurance would cover it. Now that I have dual coverage hopefully I can get some help if not then I will wait until Jan and use my Flex acct.

Has anyone ever had their insuance cover it? I have Delta/aatnea