Custom Night Guards in Gilbert, AZ
A night guard is worn during sleep to cushion the teeth of patients who grind or clench. Ours are custom-made from impressions of your teeth.
If you wake up with a sore jaw, morning headaches, or teeth that look increasingly worn down, you may be grinding your teeth at night — a condition called bruxism. At Dentists 'R Us in Gilbert, AZ, we make custom night guards for patients who grind or clench their teeth during sleep.
Because our guards are made from impressions of your own teeth, they are shaped to your bite rather than a generic mold. Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, evaluates your bite and recommends whether a night guard makes sense for you.
Grinding can crack teeth and damage crowns, veneers, and fillings over time. A night guard provides a barrier between your upper and lower teeth during sleep.
Do You Grind Your Teeth?
Many people grind their teeth without realizing it — bruxism often happens during sleep, so you may not be aware until the damage is already done. Common signs include waking with a sore, stiff jaw or facial pain, frequent morning headaches or earaches, teeth that appear worn, flattened, or chipped, increased tooth sensitivity without visible decay, tight or fatigued jaw muscles, and a sleeping partner who hears grinding or clicking sounds.
During a routine exam, Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, also looks for wear patterns on your teeth that can indicate grinding — bruxism is sometimes identified this way before a patient notices symptoms.
The Damage Grinding Can Cause
Left untreated, chronic bruxism can lead to serious dental problems over time:
Cracked Teeth
The repeated force of grinding can crack or chip teeth over time.
Enamel Loss
Grinding can wear down enamel over time, which may lead to sensitivity.
TMJ Disorders
Chronic clenching can strain the jaw joint and may be associated with pain or clicking.
Damaged Restorations
Crowns, veneers, and fillings can crack or loosen under the force of nighttime grinding.
Custom vs. Store-Bought Night Guards
Store-Bought (Boil-and-Bite)
Drugstore guards use a generic mold that you soften in hot water and bite into. Because they are not made from impressions of your teeth, the fit is generally less precise. They provide basic cushioning as an over-the-counter option.
Custom-Fitted (Dentist-Made)
Our custom night guards are fabricated from impressions of your teeth in a dental lab, so the guard is shaped to your bite. Your dentist will explain how to wear and care for it, and whether it may help in your situation.
Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep
A custom night guard is a straightforward way to help protect your teeth from nighttime grinding and clenching.
Night Guards for TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can involve jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth fully, and nighttime clenching or grinding can aggravate those symptoms. A night guard provides a cushioned barrier between your upper and lower teeth during sleep; whether it helps with TMJ symptoms depends on the cause.
Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, evaluates your bite and jaw movement before recommending a guard, so any recommendation fits your situation.
Getting Your Custom Night Guard
At your first appointment, Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, examines your teeth, evaluates your bite, and takes impressions. The impressions are sent to a dental lab, where your guard is fabricated. At a follow-up visit, we fit the guard, make adjustments as needed, and go over care instructions.
Caring for Your Night Guard
- Rinse after each use — Clean with cool water and a soft toothbrush each morning
- Store properly — Keep it in a ventilated case between uses
- Avoid heat — Do not leave your guard in a hot car or wash it with hot water (heat can warp it)
- Bring it to appointments — We can check the fit and condition during your routine visits
Night Guards in Gilbert & the East Valley
Dentists 'R Us provides custom night guards for patients in Gilbert, AZ and the surrounding East Valley. Guards are made for you by Dr. Ali Nia, DMD.
If you suspect you are grinding your teeth, or if you are tired of waking up with jaw pain and headaches, schedule an evaluation. A custom night guard may help protect your teeth overnight — Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, can let you know whether one is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs depend on the type of guard recommended and your treatment needs, and we explain fees before treatment begins. Confirm your specific benefits with your insurance provider.
Store-bought guards are a one-size-fits-all product and are not shaped from impressions of your teeth, so the fit is generally less precise. Custom guards are made from impressions of your own teeth, which generally allows a closer fit. We can help you decide which type suits your situation.
Common signs include waking with a sore jaw or headache, worn or flattened tooth surfaces, tooth sensitivity without an obvious cause, chipped or cracked teeth, tight or tired jaw muscles in the morning, and a partner who hears grinding sounds. Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, can also look for wear patterns during your exam that may indicate bruxism.
A night guard may help some patients with TMJ-related symptoms, depending on the cause of those symptoms. The dentist will evaluate your jaw and let you know whether a guard is a reasonable option for your case.
How long a guard lasts varies with the material and how heavily you grind. We can check the condition of your guard during your routine visits and will let you know when replacement is worth considering.
It can take some time to get used to sleeping with a guard. If the fit bothers you, let us know — we can check it and make adjustments where possible.
Ready to Get Started?
Grinding at night? Ask about a custom night guard at your next visit.