The increasing popularity of mouth guards is due to a global increment of the mouth-grinding problem. Sadly this is a very common problem these days due to a very stressful lifestyle. If you are experiencing all the uncomfortable symptoms such as headache, poor sleep, damaged teeth and sensitive jaw, your dentist will give your diagnose – bruxism.
Most common recommendation for solving the problem with teeth grinding is using a night guard for protection and symptoms relief. There is no doubt that you need to start using the night guard to protect your teeth from grinding forces. Untreated bruxism can lead to tooth loss, broken fillings and unbearable jaw pain. However, your jaw might as well be hurting from the financial shock from the mouth guard’s price tag.
Night guards that are provided by your dentist may cost a lot. However, this doesn’t mean you should compromise your health because there are ways to get you a comfortable night guard that won’t break the bank.
What You Pay is What You Got
You probably have already heard that you can buy a night guard for a very affordable price. Of course there are night guards on the market that are low-cost, well they are also of a very poor quality. Night guard is a device that should be designed for one’s specific needs. Therefore, the one size for all mouth guard cannot be adjusted to fit. Due to the poor fit they offer limited protection and may also worsen bruxism and cause more pain.
A self-made custom night guard is little bit more expensive for a little bit of a better quality. It is also an over-the-counter night guard that you can soften with boiling and then bite it down. Other types recommend using scissors to trim the guard as precisely as you can to make it more comfortable. These types of night guards don’t provide the best fit, comfort or protection.
The most efficient option by far is to get a custom-fitted dental night guard. They are made based on an impression of the patient’s teeth and provide the best protection against grinding. When provided from your dentist, your custom-made night guard can cost a great deal of money.
Why Do Custom Night Guards Cost so Much
Your dentist may argue the cost if your bruxism is caused by other dental problems, such as the teeth alignment or position that will require a more complex mouth guard. However, the process of creating a custom-made night guard will require multiple dentist visits that will lead to making a dental impression of your teeth.
Dentists do not actually make the dental night guard that they provide to you. Moreover, they delegate the dental impression to a third party. The dental lab will now use your impression to make a custom bite guard that will perfectly match your teeth. After is finished they send it back to your dentist. Your dentist pays the dental lab for the night guard and of course to profit from the provided service then charges you a 200 or 300 percent markup. Essentially the dentist is placing the order for you to the lab, therefore additionally charges all the appointments.
Affordable and Quality Alternative
You no longer have to pay twice as much for a night guard. The best option out there for a quality protection is to order a professionally made, custom dental night guard directly from the manufacturer.
Nowadays you can find a professional dental lab online, from where you can order your custom dental night guard. The process is easy. Moreover, you can save money and place an order from the comfort of your own home.
Labs that provide online services will need you to provide an order. Furthermore, they will send you an easy-to-use home impression kit for your teeth. You should then mail your teeth impression back to the lab in the provided envelope. A professional lab will create your perfect custom fitted night guard for your teeth.
The custom-created night guard ordered directly from the lab is the same quality as the one you would get from your dentist. The process is faster, more efficient and the best part is that it will cost you a reasonable amount of money.
If you are doubtful of this option keep in mind that the professional lab that provides online services for night guards may be the same one delivering guards to your dental practice.
In Conclusion
Don’t let the cost deter you from purchasing a night guard. Remember that health comes first. Untreated bruxism may cause dental damage that might far exceed the cost of the quality-made night guard. Pick your preferred option that will allow you a good treatment and prevention from bigger damage to your health.
