Dental guards can be used for many different reasons, and can benefit your overall health in many ways. Our facility is equipped with technology that allows us to provide the highest standard of dental care to all of our patients.
A nightguard is a great way to prevent wear on the teeth that can lead to chipped or broken teeth. Involuntary clenching while sleeping can lead to sore, fatigued muscles and headaches. A nightguard is a hard, clear, plastic retainer that is custom-fit and is worn while sleeping. They are designed to prevent teeth from closing or touching and to help reduce the amount of stress and pressure being put on the teeth. It can take some time to get used to wearing a nightguard but there should be no pain involved.
Mouth guards are worn to prevent damage while playing impact sports. They act as a buffer to prevent damage to the teeth as well as limiting the risk of soft tissue damage. One of the greatest benefits of a mouth guard is that they safeguard against serious injuries such as concussions, neck injuries, and jaw fractures. Some mouth guards can be purchased at a pharmacy, but a dentist can make it custom-fit for each patient, ensuring they cover all the teeth to cushion against falls or blows to the chin.
Snoring is caused by the air passage being blocked or narrowed while sleeping. A snore guard is an appliance that is worn at night that helps prevent snoring. It thrusts the jaw forward so that the airways remain open, which would allow for a more restful sleep, less issues with fatigue and concentration problems, and helps prevent headaches. Some appliances can be purchased at a pharmacy, but a snore guard made by a dentist is made custom-fit for each patient.
Sleep apnea is a chronic, ongoing condition that disrupts sleep, with pauses in breathing occurring several times per hour and lasting for longer than ten seconds. This causes the blood oxygen levels to decrease and awaken the brain and causes a loud gasp or snort. It is diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study Once an appliance is recommended, a dentist would make a custom-fit appliance. This is very similar in function to that of a snore guard as it is designed to open the airway allowing better breathing.
No one loves getting a guard made having traditional impressions taken using putty. Thankfully, our office uses digital software that uses a handheld wand and computer to take the impressions. No more UGH!