Night Guards in Williston, VT

Teeth grinding at night, also known as bruxism, is an everyday issue that affects many people. While the most visible sign of damage is deterioration of the enamel of the teeth, nocturnal bruxism can also lead to headaches, tooth pain, inflammation, plus discomfort in your neck and jaw. To guard your mouth from the effects of bruxism, dentist Dr. Lauren Shanard provides customized night guards that can defend your teeth while you sleep. Custom night guards are made from high-quality materials that fit comfortably and improve the nature of your sleep by reducing jaw clenching and teeth grinding. To learn more about custom night guards at Contemporary Dental Arts, set up an appointment at our Williston, VT office.

There are many signs that you may be grinding your teeth and/or clenching your jaw at night. You may wake up in the morning with a headache, tightness or pain in your jaw, and facial swelling. Other signs are loosened teeth or fillings, chipped enamel on your back teeth, a receding gumline, and tooth sensitivity. Teeth grinding and clenching at night are typically caused by stress, but it may also be brought on by allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (called TMD). When Dr. Shanard makes your bruxism diagnosis, she will also try to determine the cause so that your night guard therapy can be coupled with other treatments for the best possible outcomes.

After Dr. Shanard diagnoses your bruxism, she will obtain oral impressions and digital oral x-rays so your custom night guard can be created. Next, she will send your information to a dental laboratory where your specialized night guard will be crafted out of the best materials. After your night guard is sent back to our office, you will come in to have it fitted. Dr. Shanard may make small adjustments so that it fits comfortably. We will also give you instructions on how to properly care for your night guard so it will last many years.

For maximum night guard efficiency, you need to wear it each night. Your night guard should minimize or alleviate the discomfort and dental problems created by bruxism, but if not, please contact our office so Dr. Shanard can look for additional issues and try other treatments. In order to help keep your mouth and night guard healthy, we recommend that you clean and care for your teeth and guard before and after each use. Your night guard should be brought in to all future appointments so Dr. Shanard can make adjustments or repairs as needed.

Once you receive a bruxism diagnosis, some of the cost of your night guard will likely be paid by your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance, our office will call your insurance carrier to confirm your coverage and benefits. At your consultation, Dr. Shanard will give you information about our accepted payment methods as well as your costs, with or without insurance. To make your treatment more affordable, Contemporary Dental Arts can help you to qualify for medical financing with in-house programs as well as CareCredit® and/or Lending Club®.

Grinding your teeth can lead to pain and discomfort in a variety of ways. Night guards are a great option to lessen the sleepless nights caused by the unpleasant symptoms of jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Custom night guards from Contemporary Dental Arts can also improve your overall oral health and prevent future complications. If you think that this might be the remedy for you or you would like to learn more, contact our office in Williston, VT to book a consultation with dentist Dr. Shanard.