Are professionally made Night Gaurds better than store bought Night Guards?

My dentist says that I need to wear a Night Guard due to clenching at night. I am currently going through a ton of dental procedures to remedy something that the clenching caused. My dentist said that the Guard would cost me about $450 as insurance doesn't cover it. I don't want to spend that amount if I don't have to as there are Night Guards available at the local drug store for $20.

Are professionally made Night Gaurds better than store bought Night Guards?
They are better. But a store bought guard is better than none at all. The custom made ones are more comfortable and less bulky. But the important part is that you alleviate the clinching. So, for the time being, just do what is financially best. Another choice, if your insurance policy has 'Orthodontic Coverage', you could see an orthodontist and they could custom make you a 'Bite Guard'. Most Insurance companies will allow $1000-$1500 for Ortho treatment.
Reply:Your best bet is one made by the dentist as it will be made specifically for your mouth and molded to fit the shape of your mouth. Ask the office about time payments.
Reply:Professionally molded night guards are customized for your teeth, but my sister made the same mistake and paid $600 for a night guard not covered by insurance. She ended up moving and switching dentists, and her new dentist told her that the $20 night guard at the drugstore would have worked fine, it is basically to protect the teeth from grinding at night and the ones at the drugstore are just as effective!
Reply:i have bought 2 of the $450 ones,and if i had it to do all over again,i would buy one at the store.after having several thousand dollars worth of dental work done,my dentist very strongly recommended one.so i bought it and 4 or 5 months later,i had to have more work done in the same area,and the guard would'nt fit after i had all this done! at the time,i had'nt seen or heard of the store ones,but i would'nt give it a second thought now. they can also come down on the price($200) if they wanted to. my dentist did the 3rd time!!! good luck!
Reply:Yes, they are. The one you're dentist can make are more streamlined and are custom made for your teeth. I've seen lots of times where people who are wearing the store bought ones don't wear them because they are too big and bulky. Think of the guard as an investment. I've seen patients who have worn they're teeth all down and need full mouth reconstruction. That's a $30,000 to $40,000 worth of work.
Reply:Yes and no. The store brand ones are not comformed to your teeth, like a custom made one would be. But go ahead and try the store brand. Maybe try putting it in warm to hot water for a minute then cooling it for a few seconds and then try to shape it to your teeth.


OR visit a local dental college (any college that has a public dental clinic, search all local colleges in your area online, even community colleges) and buy an athletic mouth guard (only about 20 bucks or so.) that they will make for you at the clinic. Should be about equal to a night time guard. And if you are unsure you can ask the staff at the college clinic if it would work for nighttime use.
Reply:Of course they are. They are made exactly to fit your mouth only and the store bought is not quite the same. You are just looking at the price point and the dentist is looking to help correct something that is not good for your dental health. I would go with the one made by the dental lab.

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