Night guards
A night guard is a thin, firm cover for your upper or lower teeth that you wear to sleep. It is for adults who clench or grind, or whose teeth show wear that suggests it. Dr. Okada makes one only after an exam.
What happens
Usually two or three visits.
- 01
Step 1: Exam and a talk
Dr. Okada looks at your teeth, gums and bite, asks about your mornings and your sleep, and tells you whether a guard makes sense.
- 02
Step 2: An impression or a scan
We take an impression or a digital scan of your teeth. It takes a few minutes, and you can ask to stop. A lab makes the guard.
- 03
Step 3: The fitting
You come back in about one to three weeks. Dr. Okada checks that it sits firmly and your teeth meet evenly on it, and adjusts it.
- 04
Step 4: A check after a few weeks
A short visit once you've worn it, to see how it fits and how your jaw feels.
If what you describe sounds like a breathing problem during sleep, she says so and asks you to see your physician first.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
An impression is a tray of soft material held against your teeth for a minute or two. If you gag easily, tell us and we'll scan instead. Nothing here needs numbing.
Choices, and what if you wait
A custom guard, a pharmacy guard you buy yourself, or watching and waiting. Clenching can keep wearing the biting surfaces of teeth, and Dr. Okada will show you what she sees and look again at your next visit.
Risks and after-care
A new guard can feel bulky for a few nights. Call us if a tooth is sore or your teeth meet differently in the morning. Rinse it daily, keep it dry in its case, and bring it to each visit. Replace one that cracks or no longer fits.
How it is billed
You get a written estimate before anything is made. Some plans reimburse part of a night guard, and the plan decides.
How fees work
Questions about night guards
Will a night guard stop me from clenching?
No. It protects your teeth from wearing against each other. Some people find their jaw feels better with one, and some notice no change.
How long does a guard last?
It depends on how hard you clench and on the material. We check it at each visit and tell you when it is worn through or no longer fits.
Can I use a guard from the pharmacy?
You can. They are made to fit most mouths, not yours, and some are thick or loose. If one makes your jaw sore, stop wearing it and call us.
Do I wear it every night?
Most people wear it to sleep. Dr. Okada tells you how often is right for your teeth.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Haruko Okada, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Florida.