What grinding does overnight

Clenching and grinding put heavy load on enamel and on old fillings. Over time teeth can look shorter or sharper, fillings can crack, and jaw muscles stay tight in the morning.

At a checkup I look for wear facets, cracked cusps, and bitten-through restorations. Digital X-rays and a 3D scan help us see damage you cannot feel yet.

When a custom night guard helps

• Wear or cracks point to nighttime grinding
• You wake with jaw tension and your teeth show matching wear
• We have restored a tooth that still needs protection from grinding forces

We scan digitally so the guard fits your bite precisely. Store-bought boil-and-bite trays are softer and less accurate. I would rather fit one that holds up than sell you something that does not protect the teeth that need it.

When I look past the guard first

• A crack or large failing filling needs a crown or onlay before protection will help
• Gum disease or decay should be treated first
• The bite is so uneven that we need to understand contact points before hard appliance wear
• Stress, sleep, or airway concerns dominate the story and need the right medical partner alongside dental protection

I will say when a guard alone is not enough. Protection without fixing a failing tooth just delays the break.

What the appointment looks like

Exam and imaging first. If a custom guard is appropriate, we take a digital scan, the lab makes it, and we check the fit and bite when it arrives. You get clear instructions on wear and cleaning.

Price and insurance vary by plan. We verify benefits and give a written estimate before you commit.