Mouth Guards in Trenton
Grinding your teeth at night and taking a hit to the jaw during a hockey game are two very different problems, but both have the same practical answer: a custom-fitted mouth guard made to the shape of your own teeth. We make both types for Trenton patients at our office at 22500 Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, and because we have an in-house dental lab, we fabricate and adjust those appliances on site rather than shipping them out and waiting.
A night guard is a custom appliance worn during sleep to separate the upper and lower teeth. People who clench or grind — often without knowing it — wear down enamel, chip fillings, crack crowns, and wake up with sore jaw muscles or headaches. The guard absorbs that force instead of your teeth. We frequently recommend one for patients who have invested in crowns, veneers, bonding, or implants, since protecting that work is far less expensive than replacing it.
A sports guard is built for impact rather than pressure. It cushions a blow to the mouth and helps shield the lips, cheeks, and front teeth from fractures and lacerations. Football, hockey, basketball, wrestling, soccer, skateboarding, and martial arts all put teeth at risk, and we see Trenton families with athletes in every one of those. Both guard types are custom-made from impressions of your teeth, but the night guard is typically thinner and designed for long, quiet wear, while the sports guard is thicker, more shock-absorbing, and sized to stay put while you breathe hard and talk.
You may be a candidate for a night guard if you notice flattened or chipped tooth edges, jaw tightness in the morning, tooth sensitivity with no decay, or a partner who hears grinding. Patients being treated for sleep apnea, which we also address with oral appliances, sometimes have overlapping symptoms, so we talk through what you're experiencing before deciding what to make.
For sports, the candidacy question is simpler: if you play a contact or collision sport, you need one. We see patients of all ages, from age one through adults, so we can fit a growing athlete and a parent in the same visit. Children in braces are a special case — a guard has to accommodate brackets, and our board-certified orthodontist and general dentists coordinate on that. Patients with special healthcare needs are welcome here as well.
- A complimentary consultation to look at wear patterns, bite, and your goals
- Impressions or scans of your teeth, taken in one short appointment
- Fabrication in our on-site lab, with the design matched to night or sports use
- A fitting visit where we check comfort, bite balance, and retention
- Adjustments, relines, and repairs handled in house when needed
What the Process Looks Like
We start with an exam of your teeth, existing dental work, and jaw. Signs of grinding are often visible before you feel symptoms, so we point out what we see. If a guard makes sense, we take impressions that same day in most cases. Comfort matters to us throughout — our comfort menu includes blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix, and refreshments, which helps patients who find impressions unpleasant.
Because the lab is in our building, we control the fit directly. If a guard presses on a spot or feels bulky, we adjust it rather than sending it away for weeks. At delivery we show you how to seat and remove it, confirm your bite closes evenly, and make sure a young athlete can actually keep it in during play. If a guard cracks, loosens, or stops fitting after orthodontic treatment or new restorations, bring it in and we'll look at repair or replacement.
Caring for Your Guard
Rinse the guard after each use and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water — hot water can warp it. Store it dry in its case, away from pets and out of a hot car, which is where most sports guards are lost or ruined. Bring it to your cleanings so we can inspect it alongside your teeth.
Expect a night guard to show wear over time; that wear is the point, since it's taking force your enamel would otherwise absorb. Athletes who are still growing usually need a new guard as teeth come in and the arch changes.
Paying for It
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and provide a complimentary insurance benefits check so you know your coverage before we begin. Self-pay patients are welcome, and we take cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 for ages 17 and under, with no deductibles, no annual maximum, no waiting period, and no pre-authorizations. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings, and two fluoride treatments at 100%, plus 20% to 50% off other treatment. CareCredit financing is also available. Se habla español.