It may or may not come as a shock when you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair, and your dentist tells you that you grind your teeth. Whether you grind a lot or a little, the first thing they’ll recommend is a custom nightguard.
It’s also possible that you don’t need a dentist to tell you that you desperately need to stop grinding your teeth in your sleep. Whether this is your first mouthguard or the next in a series of mouthguards, we’re here to help you consider all of your options.
There are a fair amount of differences between the guards you can get from your dentist and the guards you can order from an online retailer. It can seem overwhelming, and you may even be tempted to buy a generic mouthguard to make it easy on yourself.
Why Do I Even Need A Custom Night Guard?
Yeah, you can head down to Walmart and pick up a 3 pack of generic mouthguards for $12.49. But these are flimsy at best and will do very little to alleviate the pain that led you to get a nightguard in the first place.
One-size-fits-all is an excellent method for many things, but would you buy clothes that were too big or too small and hope for the best?
Your teeth are unique, just like you, and should be outfitted with the same consideration you give your body. Investing in a nightguard that is crafted to cushion your teeth can relieve symptoms associated with:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
- TMJ pain or TMD
- Ear pain
- Sensitive Teeth
Since you’re browsing this article, it’s safe to guess that we’re preaching to the choir. Still, we feel it’s important to emphasize why you should have a dental nightguard that’s made for you and only you.
The next step is deciding if it’s better to get your custom mouthguard from your dentist or an online company.
Comparing Guards Directly from Your Dentist and Guards from Online Dental Professionals
There’s more than one way to get a mouthguard, but which is the best path to choose?
The Cost
A custom night guard from your dentist can cost anywhere from $300-1000 out of pocket. Most insurance plans don’t cover mouthguards, and if they do, they only allow for replacement every few years.
Purchasing your custom night guard from a reputable online retailer can range from $80-200. These numbers are much nicer on your bank account, and the guards are often crafted through the same process your dentist uses.
In fact, your dentist is probably the middleman in the mouthguard creation process. Dentists have responsibilities that don’t include being hunched over the impressions of your teeth to make the perfect nightguard for you. You’re paying a higher price to have your dentist outsource the work.
Don’t get us wrong, we love dentists and all they do. But when it comes to a custom nightguard, you can save a considerable amount of money by cutting out the middleman.
The Time
You see your dentist, and they tell you that you need a custom mouthguard because you grind your teeth. They take the impressions and send them out to the lab. As soon as they get the guard, they call you to make a follow-up appointment. At the follow-up appointment, you try on your guard and take it home to use. You may have another follow-up appointment after this to report on the fit of the guard.
The whole process can take up to two months.
Ordering a custom nightguard from an online provider usually takes less than a month overall. Once you make your purchase, the company will send you an impression kit within 3-5 business days. As soon as your impression kit is returned, you’ll have a custom guard about a week later.
The Adjustments and Replacements
Even if you do get the chance to talk to your dentist about the guard you received, if you have any issues with the fit of the guard, it’s unlikely that the dentist will replace it for free. If the fit is correct but you find it uncomfortable, the best your dentist will offer you is to wear it for shorter amounts of time until your teeth get used to it.
And that’s the mouthguard you’re stuck with for a few years.
With companies like Cheeky, you can choose your level of thickness and hardness and decide whether you want your guard to go on your top or bottom row of teeth. With our replacement plan, you get a new guard every three months and have the chance to make adjustments to your guard with each shipment.
The Material
As long as you’re buying from a reputable retailer, the materials used to create your mouthguard will be the same whether you get it from your dentist or an online provider.
You can sleep soundly knowing that your mouthguard is crafted with FDA-approved material, machinery, and processes. It’s essential to check that your nightguard is absolutely free of BPA, silicone, and latex. Wake up feeling refreshed, knowing that you aren’t putting anything strange in your mouth. (Well, as long as you’re properly cleaning your nightguard.)
TL; DR
|
Custom Guard from Dentist |
Custom Guard from Online Provider |
|
Costs $300-$1000 |
Costs $80-200 |
|
Takes up to two months to get |
Takes less than a month to get |
|
Get what you get |
Make adjustments to the fit |
|
Made with hygienic materials |
Made with hygienic materials |
Get Cheeky
At Cheeky, we provide quality custom mouthguards to your door. We believe that a night guard shouldn’t be a luxury item and should be accessible to bruxers everywhere.
Ready to Get Cheeky?
