Custom-fit mouthguards are prescribed and created by a dental professional from thermoplastic material and are based on a detailed mould taken of your mouth and teeth. These devices are highly personalized as your Dentist can adjust the thickness of the mouthguard depending on your level of teeth grinding and clenching; they are designed to fit perfectly in your mouth. Custom mouthguards can be made for either sports protection or for nighttime teeth grinding, and are created differently depending on the intended use.
Certain sports and activities carry a high risk of falling or resulting in injuries that can impact your face. A mouthguard can help to protect your teeth and prevent them from injuring your lips or tongue.
Teeth grinding and clenching are part of a condition called bruxism, which is a sleep-related movement disorder that can cause a variety of problems, such as tooth pain, jaw pain, and sore gums. It can also damage your teeth. Wearing a mouthguard while your sleep can help keep your top and bottom teeth separated so they don’t damage each other from the pressure of grinding or clenching.
The first step your Dentist will take when creating your custom-fit mouthguard will be to take an impression of your teeth. This is generally done using dental putty that forms to all the crevices of each tooth and creates an exact mould of your smile. This mould is then used in the dental office or, more often, is sent to a lab where the actual mouthguard is created. The structure is made by layering superheated plastic to precise specifications, and is then cooled to create an extremely durable piece of dental wear.
At East City Dental, we offer a full line of night guard and sport guard options.