How Are Mouthguards and Nightguards Made?
Mouthguards
There are several different types of guards, and the procedure to make each one is a little different. In general, a mouthguard is a protective liner that fits over the teeth of your upper jaw. A stock mouthguard is a preformed, u-shaped piece of rubber or vinyl you hold between your teeth. You can buy this type of off-the-shelf guard at any sporting goods store, or even at some drugstores. However, the fit is usually so poor that they are not recommended.
Another class of mouthguards is called mouth-formed mouthguards. These guards are also available at sporting goods stores. There are two different types of mouth-formed guards: boil and bite and shell-liner. A boil and bite guard is a reformable, polymer material that you mold to your mouth by softening the guard in boiling water and then placing in your mouth to form against your teeth and jaw. The advantage of a boil and bite guard is that it can be reformed again and again, so there's no worry if it doesn't fit well on your first try, or if the fit deteriorates over time.
A shell-liner is made using a stock tray and a resilient liner material, which you bite into and wait for the material to harden. Unlike a boil and bite mouthguard, you only get one shot at forming a shell-liner to your teeth and gums.
The last class of mouthguards is custom-fit guards made by your dentist. These are usually made out of acrylic materials from dental casts of your mouth. These mouthguards are more precisely fit to all the factors of your mouth, so they can be as big or as small, as thick or as thin, as they need to be. A custom-made mouthguard offers greater protection against injuries to the mouth and to the head because they fit better and are made of stronger, more shock-absorbent material. Active youngsters may be pleased to find out that some custom-made mouthguards come in a variety of colors.
Nightguards
Protective guards for clenching and grinding problems are available from your dentist. Nightguards can be made on models of either your upper or lower teeth and can be made from either a hard or soft material depending on your needs. Some resemble mouthguards in that they cover your entire upper jaw and cushion the teeth against the movement of the lower jaw. Others are formed solely to your front teeth, with a spacer that prevents the rest of your teeth from touching. Your dentist will recommend the type of nightguard that is right for your situation.
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