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Nightguards

At Colden Dental Care, we often encounter patients who demonstrate tooth-wear, jaw pain and/or bone loss secondary to clenching or grinding.  It is for this reason that we offer the service of a customized nightguard.

Nightguards are custom-made by a dental professional.  An impression of the teeth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication of the nightguard.

Nightguards slip over the upper teeth and prevent grinding of the upper teeth against the lower teeth.  Nightguards are made of plastic.  This material is chosen because it is durable, but softer than tooth structure.  This results in wear of the nightguard material rather than wear of tooth structure.

A nightguard is smooth on the biting side so opposing teeth glide freely on it.  This typically inhibits clenching thereby alleviating dental pain and preventing damage to teeth and bone.

Grinding Or Clenching your Teeth

Bruxism refers to the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth.  This habit can cause significant damage.  The pressure from grinding may cause tooth fracture or bone loss.  It may also cause tooth-wear resulting in sensitivity to sweets or temperature.  Many patients who grind or clench suffer from sore muscles in the face and/or headaches.

Some patients are unaware that they grind or clench their teeth because it usually takes place while they are sleeping.  Bruxism is often diagnosed due to tooth-wear or bone loss that is noticed during a routine dental examination.

A nightguard will alleviate discomfort and prevent further damage to the teeth or bone.