Signs of wear
Flattened edges, fractures or damaged restorations may prompt a grinding assessment. Similar changes can have other causes, so the pattern is interpreted alongside your history and examination.
General Dentistry / Treatment guide
Nightguards for Teeth Grinding
A nightguard is an appliance worn over the teeth to create a protective contact surface. It may be recommended when grinding or clenching is damaging teeth or dental work, after the cause and symptoms are assessed.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment image
A protective surface between teeth
A custom nightguard fits over the teeth to provide a contact surface during grinding or clenching.
- 01Custom fit
- 02Tooth coverage
- 03Protective contact
This is one guard design. A nightguard may protect teeth without stopping the grinding or resolving every cause of jaw discomfort.
Understanding your care
Protection starts with an assessment
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
Clenching and symptoms
Morning jaw fatigue, headaches or reports of nighttime grinding can be relevant. A guard may protect teeth, while the underlying habit or another condition may need separate attention.
Fit and follow-up
A custom appliance needs to fit your teeth and contact your bite appropriately. Review visits can identify wear, changes in fit or symptoms that need a different approach.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Understand the pattern
Discuss when symptoms occur and examine the teeth, muscles and bite. Consider whether further assessment is needed for another dental or sleep-related concern.
Record your teeth
If a guard is appropriate, take the records needed to make it. Explain the proposed design and how it fits into the wider care plan.
Fit and adjust
Check the completed guard on the teeth and assess its contact with the opposing arch. Make adjustments and provide individual instructions for its use.
Review its performance
Check comfort, fit, wear and symptoms at follow-up. Reconsider the diagnosis or design if the appliance is not meeting the intended protective goal.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
A nightguard protects teeth but may not eliminate grinding, jaw pain or the factors causing them. It is not a treatment for every jaw disorder or a substitute for assessing possible sleep concerns. Poor fit can create problems. Discuss new discomfort or bite changes with the clinician, and compare appliance use with other management options suited to your diagnosis.
Will it stop me grinding?
Not necessarily. Protection from tooth-to-tooth wear is a main purpose. Grinding can have several contributing factors, so other assessment or management may be discussed alongside a guard.
Is this the same as a sports mouthguard?
No. A sports mouthguard is designed to cushion impact during activity. A nightguard is designed around tooth contact and grinding; the two appliances have different purposes and designs.
What if I also have jaw pain?
Jaw pain needs its own assessment. A guard may be one consideration, but pain can have several causes and the evidence for appliance treatment varies with the particular condition.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.