Night Guards - Plano, TX

A complete exam with a qualified professional is the first step in determining your need for a custom nightguard. This quick and painless exam evaluates your bite. TMD muscles will be palpated to check for tension. You will be asked questions about your symptoms and sleep habits.

 The usual symptoms are temporal headaches, especially in the morning. Sensitive teeth from the constant wear of enamel may be a symptom. Numerous cracks, broken, worn and chipped teeth are usually indicative of some type of grinding or clenching pattern. Your family dentist, Dr. Joseph, can use an intra-oral camera to take pictures of the damage and show them to you enlarged on an in-room computer screen. Seeing is believing!

Grinding and clenching is an unconscious habit. Many people are unaware of the habit until a partner tells them that they can be heard doing it. Often, when a patient wears a guard for the first few nights, they can see the wear patterns on the chewing surface of the guard.

Of important note for patients who have or are considering dental implants, Plano Preventive and General dentist, Dr. Varun Joseph recommends that ALL patients who have a dental implant should have a night guard to protect their investment and ensure the success and longevity of their dental work. Constant grinding and pressure on a dental implant can weaken and possibly even break an implant.

Call us to schedule an evaluation appointment to discuss whether you would benefit from a nightguard appliance.

Link to appointments page Link to free second opinion page

A complete exam with a qualified professional is the first step in determining your need for a custom nightguard. This quick and painless exam evaluates your bite. TMD muscles will be palpated to check for tension. You will be asked questions about your symptoms and sleep habits.

 The usual symptoms are temporal headaches, especially in the morning. Sensitive teeth from the constant wear of enamel may be a symptom. Numerous cracks, broken, worn and chipped teeth are usually indicative of some type of grinding or clenching pattern. Your family dentist, Dr. Joseph, can use an intra-oral camera to take pictures of the damage and show them to you enlarged on an in-room computer screen. Seeing is believing!

Grinding and clenching is an unconscious habit. Many people are unaware of the habit until a partner tells them that they can be heard doing it. Often, when a patient wears a guard for the first few nights, they can see the wear patterns on the chewing surface of the guard.

Of important note for patients who have or are considering dental implants, Plano Preventive and General dentist, Dr. Varun Joseph recommends that ALL patients who have a dental implant should have a night guard to protect their investment and ensure the success and longevity of their dental work. Constant grinding and pressure on a dental implant can weaken and possibly even break an implant.

Call us to schedule an evaluation appointment to discuss whether you would benefit from a nightguard appliance.

Link to appointments page Link to free second opinion page

Only a licensed professional dentist or doctor can prescribe and fabricate a custom night guard. Dr. Joseph, a highly rated Plano dentist, is just such a professional with years of experience diagnosing TMD disorders, with hundreds of night guards made for patients relieving their discomfort.

Only a licensed professional dentist or doctor can prescribe and fabricate a custom night guard. Dr. Joseph, a highly rated Plano dentist, is just such a professional with years of experience diagnosing TMD disorders, with hundreds of night guards made for patients relieving their discomfort.

Initially, the acrylic guard does not stop the habit, but the appliance is taking the extreme forces and cushioning the teeth from damage. Over time, as the muscles used in a brux habit relax and “de-program” from a chronically tightened state, the clenching and grinding may subside. The slight separation between upper and lower teeth prevents jaw muscles from fully engaging, reducing the urge to clench or grind. 

 Often, during periods of stress, patients find that they notice resumed grinding. If the guard is in place, no damage will come to the teeth and joints. 

Our jaws are powerful! Deliberately clenching your teeth causes 150 PSI of pressure. Unconscious grinding at night can exert up to 900 PSI. Sleep studies show that some people grind up to 40 minutes during every hour (60 minutes) of sleep!

Initially, wearing a night guard can take some adjustment. After just a few weeks most people will be completely adjusted to their appliance.You should be consistent about wearing it every night to get fully comfortable with it. Many patients even report that they begin to feel uncomfortable and not sleep as well without the night guard in place.

Generally, Dr. Joseph recommends an upper night guard as it is easier to get used to for most people. However, your particular circumstance may indicate that a lower guard is more beneficial. Both are equally effective appliances, and both are easily tolerated for patients.

Some dental insurance companies do cover night guards at a certain percentage. Many do not, claiming that it is a preventative measure for a preexisting condition. 

There are many different dental insurance companies and hundreds of different plans for each company or person buying the insurance.

We are happy to help determine what your individual benefits are through your particular plan. Feel free to contact us for that information at any time.

Thankfully, night guards are considered a medical expense by the IRS, making them tax-deductible. You can use your HSA or FSA funds for a custom-fitted night guard. Some medical insurances may help cover part or all of your appliance if prescribed by a licensed professional.

Night guards are greatly beneficial for those patients that need them. Paying out of pocket for a night guard may help save you money overall by preventing chipping, tooth fractures, excessive wear, TMJ problems, and soreness/pain around the teeth.

You will receive a plastic case in which to keep your appliance. We recommend rinsing and vigorously brushing your appliance after each use. Use this case to let the appliance air dry between uses.

• Use only clear, cool water to wash the device and let air dry. Rinse before and after each use.
• Do not use denture cleanser
• Do not use hot water (for cleaning)
• Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
• Do not place in direct sunlight. Keep away from heat source

It is normal, despite regular cleaning, for the material to become cloudy and discolored. Cleaning it thoroughly after each use may help to diminish this, but not totally eliminate it in most cases. This in no way affects the function of the appliance. However, uncleaned guards may collect stain and tartar film which may irritate the tissues that come in contact with the guard, just as these deposits on your natural teeth irritate the same tissues.

Please contact us for an appointment in Plano for regular cleanings and checkups. Bring your appliance with you and we will be happy to check the fit, monitor any signs of extreme wear, and clean it in a special ultrasonic bath with a professional stain and tartar removal solution.

Plano Family Dental’s practice is open to new patients and families from all over the DFW area! We are located near US-75 and Parker Road. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. You can call Plano Family Dental at (972) 867-5090 or simply schedule your appointment online with Dr. Varun Joseph.