Laura 74/365
I found out I need a night guard. I got myself an over the counter one until
I decide if I am going to buy a custom made guard. Insurance doesn't cover
it of course.
Do any of you have any advice on custom made vs. over the counter? Is there
truly any difference?
6 comments:
Well, since you asked...I have a custom made one. I've had it for over 6 years, so in that respect they totally last. My dentist says that they have to be really sturdy & hard, because if they are soft you chew right through them & they don't do their job right.
I know, they are expensive -- I ended up saving for mine & used an over the counter one until I'd saved most of the $$.
And I could TOTALLY tell the difference with the custom one. No more headaches or jaw aches - which were my issues.
My mom has used the over the counter (now has that same one in fact) ones for about 10 years. She's never wanted to pay the big bucks for a custom one... but that's just my family.
I'd say try the OTC and see if you get any relief. I also had a custom many years ago and it was hard as a mofo and served it's purpose for about 6 months when I ended up grinding through it. I have a nasty case of TMJ. However, IF you can get a great one, it does help. I haven't forked out money for another, but have instead been trying to relieve stress in other ways. However, once you have your molds made it's a lot less expensive to have the guards made again, given you don't have other dental work done in the process.
I have a custom one, and IMO, the soft OTC ones always made me feel like I was gagging or choking. So, they didn't work for me. Also, I was constantly losing the soft ones in my sleep (yeah, I don't know if they FELL out or if I pulled them out).
I wore one when I was a teen, for about 5 years, and it was a custom one. The only advice that I could give you is to look over to dental laboratory technician ( I don't know if it's the right term). Dentist always charge you more for the same thing.
I HATE that style of mouth gaurd. I use a Sleep Right. It's got bite pads a little strap that dips over your lower teeth. Completely comfortable and about $20. I buy a new one about every six months, but you don't have to. I ordered mine from Amazon, but I've seen them at target.
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