Nightguard and Mouthguard
Mouthguards can be worn for several reasons, one of the most common being to protect individuals who participate in high contact sports, such as football, soccer, martial arts, gymnastics, field hockey, boxing and basketball to name a few. Mouthguards may also be recommended for individuals with TMJ disorder. There are three types of mouthguards available on the market: stock mouthguards, which are ready made and one size fits all; “boil and bite” mouthguards, which are placed in hot water then bitten on to better mold themselves over the wearers bite, and custom-made mouthguards that are designed by a dentist to provide you with a customized guard that will offer you the best protection and have the greatest longevity.
Nightguards are similar to mouthguards in design, however nightguards are typically worn while sleeping and are recommended for individuals who have issues with grinding their teeth (bruxism). Nightguards are made from a thin but strong and comfortable material that is designed to withstand teeth grinding while sleeping and feel comfortable, which ensures that your teeth will be protected and your sleep will remain uninterrupted, whereas mouthguards are not as comfortable, but are designed to withstand impacts and high-intensity shocks.
As a native of Greenville and fourth generation dentist, Dr. Preston Hamrick is proud to serve his community by developing personal relationships with all his patients and working hard to understand their needs and goals. Read on to learn more about nightguards and mouthguards, or to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, call us today at 864.292.5125.
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Alleviating Symptoms of TMJ/TMD and Bruxism
TMJ is characterized as pain emanating from the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. It can be difficult to identify the underlying cause of TMJ, but possible underlying causes of TMJ include arthritis, malocclusion, injury to the joint, or excessive stress placed on the jaw muscles, though in many cases, the exact reason is never definitively determined. Wearing a custom mouthguard can help stabilize and reposition your jaw and relieve pressure, which can correct symptoms of TMJ
Bruxism is another condition whose underlying cause is unknown, which manifests as clenching, gnashing, or grinding of teeth, often unconsciously while sleeping. Although the underlying cause of bruxism may be not be known, possible causes include sleep apnea, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, malocclusion, a response to certain medications, stress, or anxiety.
If you have been told to wear a customized mouthguard or nightguard for TMJ/TMD or bruxism, it is important to understand that wearing a guard will not correct these issues, it will simply alleviate many of the symptoms associated with them. Regardless of which type of you guard you require, we highly recommend investing in a customized solution made in our labs to ensure that you receive the optimum level of protection and achieve the best results possible. To provide you with a customized guard suited to your unique needs, Dr. Hamrick will take a dental impression that will be used to design a guard that is customized to your unique mouth to look natural and feel comfortable. Once the guard is ready, you will return to our office for one final visit to ensure the fit is correct and the guard feels comfortable.
Nightguard and Mouthguard Maintenance
To preserve the longevity and effectiveness of your nightguard or mouthguard, be sure to follow proper daily maintenance and never smoke or eat foods or drink sugary beverages while wearing your guards. Proper maintenance includes washing and drying your hands before handling the guards and rinsing and brushing the guards using toothpaste using a soft bristle toothbrush when taking them out. Once they have been thoroughly cleaned, allow them to dry on a dry surface, then place them in their case. It is important to find a dry place to store your guards to protect them from warping.
To preserve the integrity of your nightguard and mouthguard and ensure your overall oral health, we encourage our clients to schedule regular dental cleanings at least every six months to ensure the health and sustained brightness of your smile. In addition to giving your teeth a professional cleaning, these visits are also an opportunity for Dr. Preston Hamrick to evaluate your overall oral health, as he looks for any indications of gum disease or any other underlying issue that may require treatment, a s well as examine the condition of your nightguard or mouthguard.
Cost of Nightguard/Mouthguard
The total cost of your nightguard or mouthguard will depend primarily on the type of nightguard or mouthguard you get. Purchasing a stock or boil and bite guard from a store will cost significantly less, but will also not provide as significant results and will need to be replaced more frequently. Wearing these type of guards also increases your risk of damaging your teeth and needing additional oral treatment.
For patients with dental insurance, the total cost will depend on whether the procedure is covered under your plan, and if so, how much is covered. Our staff are happy to review your coverage to determine whether your plan does cover nightguards or mouthguards and ensure you maximize your benefits and have minimal out of pocket expenses.
If you are a patient at our practice and do not have dental insurance, consider joining our membership club. Because we value your loyalty, we have launched this club to help save you money on treatment and simplify payments for preventative care. We offer three levels of membership: child, adult, and perio membership. Professional dental cleanings, doctor exams, necessary X-rays, and a 5% discount on all other treatment (some exclusions apply) are included in all membership packages.
You can sign up today and start saving money on treatment online or call us at (864) 292-5125.
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For your convenience, we accept all forms of credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
Fall in Love with Your Smile Again
Regardless of what your cosmetic issue, be it a chipped tooth, a smile that is crooked, teeth that are yellow, or a gummy smile, we can provide you with the support you need to achieve the smile you have always wanted.
At Heritage Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are committed to providing 5-star customer service that is relationship based, along with a comprehensive range of treatment options that will ensure your sustained oral health and make you fall in love with your smile again. To schedule your appointment for Invisalign or learn more about our services, contact our Greenville dental team today at (684) 292-5125.