Custom mouthguards are a device worn over the teeth that can serve numerous purposes. Many people wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth during athletics. You may also wear a custom mouthguard as a treatment for TMJ/TMD, sleep apnea or to protect your teeth from grinding (bruxism). There are many types of mouth guards that can be purchased in drugstores and sporting goods stores. But there are many advantages to having a mouthguard custom-made by a dentist.
Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard over Store-bought?
A dentist can help you make sure a mouthguard is the right treatment for you and that the fit is correct and won’t cause joint, muscle or teeth problems. Most of the mouthguards you purchase in a store are fit to your teeth after softening the plastic in hot water and then biting into the material as it cools. Often this results in very poor fit. This poor adaptation to your teeth can make the mouthguard uncomfortable to wear and ineffective. Custom mouthguards will fit precisely over your teeth and stay in during sports or while you are sleeping. Most patients report that they find store-bought mouthguards uncomfortable and bulky in comparison to a custom-made device.
How is a Custom Mouthguard Made?
At your appointment, impressions of your teeth will be taken so that we can create a model of your teeth. This model is then used to custom form the mouthguard material. Either at the same time or a separate appointment (depending on the type of mouthgard), the mouthguard is fitted to your teeth and adjusted so that your other teeth can rest comfortably against it.
How Long Do They Last?
Custom mouthguards are very durable. They only require simple cleaning and can last for years.