Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

[The Mean Lady 604]

To those that wear a night guard for grinding, can you answer some questions for me?

How much was it:
Did insurance cover any of it (if so, Dental or Health?):
If Health Insurance, what insurance company do you have:
What does it look like (Full plate or small spacer type?):
Did anyone diagnose you with a TMJ disorder:

This other question just popped into my head.

The concept of a night guard makes sense for someone that is ruining their teeth from the grinding.

My jaw bone is the problem.

Just because I stick a cover on my teeth isn't going to keep me from grinding my jaw back and forth is it?!

So how will that fix the problem?!

[mamaSue 38]

They sell guards in Walmart, at the pharmacy section for under $20.

You warm them up, then mold them to fit your mouth.

[yuna628 9,533]

I was diagnosed with bruxism, andTMD which got progressively worse once my wisdom teeth were removed. I've done physical therapy on my jaw from time to time. Unfortunately, my local dentist does not take my insurance, and I'd rather not see anyone else, as he's a good one. I have jaw issues and headaches, and the grinding started causing me to 'sprain' my teeth (never knew you could do that!) He is not a supporter of a basic OTC nightguard as it will do little to help the jaw and is not custom fit. He custom fit me for a device called an NTI-TSS. It fits on my front lower teeth and isn't too bothersome. I personally find however it sometimes can be annoying to wear at night and can make my upper muscles somewhat stiff (it felt like a mini workout initially). I still have headaches, but I actually feel a lot more comfortable wearing it at certain points of the daytime, but only if I am experiencing facial/muscle pain. For nighttime I still think a full splint may be better and my sister has one instead of the NTI. The NTI cost about $500 plus the cost of taking impressions of the teeth. The NTI will indeed prevent you from putting any pressure on your back teeth whatsoever, so perhaps in your case it may help. Consult the dentist first. There are pros and cons to every device as this will tell you http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=log&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.drbicuspid.com%2findex.asp%3fsec%3dser%26sub%3ddef%26pag%3ddis%26ItemID%3d301154 and here: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/prosthodontics/prosthetics/1716

[TBoneTX 43,288]

To those that wear a night guard for grinding, can you answer some questions for me?

How much was it:

Did insurance cover any of it (if so, Dental or Health?):

If Health Insurance, what insurance company do you have:

What does it look like (Full plate or small spacer type?):

Did anyone diagnose you with a TMJ disorder:

This other question just popped into my head.

The concept of a night guard makes sense for someone that is ruining their teeth from the grinding.

My jaw bone is the problem.

Just because I stick a cover on my teeth isn't going to keep me from grinding my jaw back and forth is it?!

So how will that fix the problem?!

An expert in the field told me that the purpose of the nightguard is not to protect the teeth from the grinding, but rather to form a normal bite. He said that he once had a patient who put 10 tons of pressure on, during his grinding. Indeed, I've cracked a couple of normally made nightguards from the stresses that I placed on them.

He said that the jaw and maxillary pain comes from the grinding, which comes from an abnormal bite. Your jaw should benefit from wearing a nightguard.

Nightguards look like a horseshoe.

From lousy orthodontic work when I was a teenager, I've had lifelong TMJ disorders.

Not sure what the insurance picture is now, but when I wanted to get my first one, the dental insurance specifically excluded nightguards, claiming that the device was "medical" and not dental. The medical insurance claimed the converse. My orthodontist pulled some strings, somehow, and got it covered.

Most U.S. dental insurance completely sucks, anyway. My first ones cost me several hundred dollars even after what the insurance covered. I later wised up and started going to Mexico for mine, and also got one or two in Ecuador. The last one in Ecu was $175 cash; the cheap one in Mexico was $20 cash (soft plastic), and it works amazingly well; a previous one that I got in Mexico was something like $40 cash.

My most recent is an upper-lower combination nightguard for the prevention of obstructive sleep apnea. It works wonderfully well. The Mexican dentists took the impressions, sent them to their dental lab in the U.S., and had the lab send it directly to me. Drive-out price was $350. My family doctor was highly impressed with this, saying that such appliances are $900 or more in the U.S.

If you're anywhere within shouting distance of Mexico, or if you can get a decent airfare or can use flyer miles, definitely have yours made there. If this is feasible, I'll recommend the dentists for you to see.

[The Mean Lady 604]

They sell guards in Walmart, at the pharmacy section for under $20.

You warm them up, then mold them to fit your mouth.

Those guards are sh*t

[The Mean Lady 604]

I was diagnosed with bruxism, andTMD which got progressively worse once my wisdom teeth were removed. I've done physical therapy on my jaw from time to time. Unfortunately, my local dentist does not take my insurance, and I'd rather not see anyone else, as he's a good one. I have jaw issues and headaches, and the grinding started causing me to 'sprain' my teeth (never knew you could do that!) He is not a supporter of a basic OTC nightguard as it will do little to help the jaw and is not custom fit. He custom fit me for a device called an NTI-TSS. It fits on my front lower teeth and isn't too bothersome. I personally find however it sometimes can be annoying to wear at night and can make my upper muscles somewhat stiff (it felt like a mini workout initially). I still have headaches, but I actually feel a lot more comfortable wearing it at certain points of the daytime, but only if I am experiencing facial/muscle pain. For nighttime I still think a full splint may be better and my sister has one instead of the NTI. The NTI cost about $500 plus the cost of taking impressions of the teeth. The NTI will indeed prevent you from putting any pressure on your back teeth whatsoever, so perhaps in your case it may help. Consult the dentist first. There are pros and cons to every device as this will tell you http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=log&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.drbicuspid.com%2findex.asp%3fsec%3dser%26sub%3ddef%26pag%3ddis%26ItemID%3d301154 and here: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/prosthodontics/prosthetics/1716

I have done research on the NTI and in the end i decided two things

1- It looks like the best solution as the gap in the front is what makes it so I can't clench as tightly

2- I'm not getting one because the majority of reviews say their teeth shifted and eventually their front teeth couldn't even bite anything any more because they were so spaced out: no thanks.

[The Mean Lady 604]

An expert in the field told me that the purpose of the nightguard is not to protect the teeth from the grinding, but rather to form a normal bite. He said that he once had a patient who put 10 tons of pressure on, during his grinding. Indeed, I've cracked a couple of normally made nightguards from the stresses that I placed on them.

He said that the jaw and maxillary pain comes from the grinding, which comes from an abnormal bite. Your jaw should benefit from wearing a nightguard.

Nightguards look like a horseshoe.

From lousy orthodontic work when I was a teenager, I've had lifelong TMJ disorders.

Not sure what the insurance picture is now, but when I wanted to get my first one, the dental insurance specifically excluded nightguards, claiming that the device was "medical" and not dental. The medical insurance claimed the converse. My orthodontist pulled some strings, somehow, and got it covered.

Most U.S. dental insurance completely sucks, anyway. My first ones cost me several hundred dollars even after what the insurance covered. I later wised up and started going to Mexico for mine, and also got one or two in Ecuador. The last one in Ecu was $175 cash; the cheap one in Mexico was $20 cash (soft plastic), and it works amazingly well; a previous one that I got in Mexico was something like $40 cash.

My most recent is an upper-lower combination nightguard for the prevention of obstructive sleep apnea. It works wonderfully well. The Mexican dentists took the impressions, sent them to their dental lab in the U.S., and had the lab send it directly to me. Drive-out price was $350. My family doctor was highly impressed with this, saying that such appliances are $900 or more in the U.S.

If you're anywhere within shouting distance of Mexico, or if you can get a decent airfare or can use flyer miles, definitely have yours made there. If this is feasible, I'll recommend the dentists for you to see.

Actually I was looking into this:

http://www.proteethguard.com/

All of the reviews I have read for the site make it seem like the best.

And their customer service is apparently top notch.

Here's a run down of the whole process

http://thepennywisemama.com/2013/02/pro-teeth-night-guard-review.html

[TBoneTX 43,288]

Almost any nightguard can be better than none. Ordering remotely skips the step of ensuring a proper fit, but perhaps it's worth the gamble.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Almost any nightguard can be better than none. Ordering remotely skips the step of ensuring a proper fit, but perhaps it's worth the gamble.

No it doesn't.

Did you read it?

You do the impressions, you send them in.

If it doesn't come back correct, they fix it.

You didn't read >=[

[UnaMexicana 153]

I had the same problem: bruxism. Braces fixed my grinding and also corrected my slightly imperfect teeth. Its a long and painful process at thirty something in my case... but it was worth it as I was really losing my teeth over that.

I think the best way to go is talk to a dentist about the issue and he will be able to diagnose.

UnaMexicana

[TBoneTX 43,288]

No it doesn't.

Did you read it?

You do the impressions, you send them in.

If it doesn't come back correct, they fix it.

You didn't read >=[

More accurately, "...doesn't guarantee fitting on the spot."

Even dentists have an awful time taking my impressions, so I'm sensitive about the potential need to send things back and back and back.

Edited July 23, 2014 by TBoneTX

[MelyT 0]

How much was it:

Did insurance cover any of it (if so, Dental or Health?):

I didn't have any insurance that would pay for my night guard, but if you do, I would go to the dentist right away!

They sell guards in Walmart, at the pharmacy section for under $20.

I have yet to find a good night guard at the pharmacy (and I have tried four of them so far). They are either too short (won't cover all my teeth and therefore create an open bite) or won't last long enough.

Actually I was looking into this:

http://www.proteethguard.com/

That's the one I chose also. It's exactly like the one my dentist made me a few years ago. I can't complain. But I never tried any other online dental labs, so I don't know if it's the best. This article suggests other possible labs: http://www.cureyourbruxism.com/top-online-dental-labs-custom-night-guards/

You may want to look around and let us know if you find something better.

[mrs thb 331]

i've gone through several night guards.

i grind and clench. have had tmj awfully bad in the past where i've need phsyio, ultrasound and acupuncture.

my benefits plan takes care of night guards, physio, ultrasound and acupuncture.

sometimes i'm lazy and don't sleep with it, and i regret it in the morning.

my bite is fine but not perfect.

fittings are a b*tch though and i dread having them done.

you're right in saying self-fitting guards are #######.....i wouldn't use these even for sports.....best to get properly fitted and quality material for your teeth...imo.

[The Mean Lady 604]

I spoke with my dr and she told me I'm right.

Even if I buy a nightguard, it's not going to fix my problem.

All it will do is protect my teeth because I'm not even really a grinder, there's nothing wrong with my teeth.

I move my jaw back and forth and click my teeth.

She ended up doing xrays on thursday so I'm waiting to see what the insides look like!

Also, I have no dental insurance at all and a dentist would not be able to diagnose anything.

I've already been diagnosed.