Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism, can gradually wear down enamel, damage dental restorations and contribute to jaw discomfort. Because grinding often occurs during sleep, you may not realize it is happening until you experience tooth sensitivity, morning headaches or jaw soreness. Custom night guards in Rockville, MD, can help protect your teeth and reduce the effects of nighttime grinding.
At John Savukinas, DDS, Dr. John Savukinas has completed more than 1,000 TMJ, night guard and occlusal appliance cases. He evaluates your teeth, bite and jaw function to determine whether a custom night guard is appropriate for your needs. Call 301-738-1155 or contact our office to schedule an evaluation.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, which may occur during sleep or while awake. Occasional clenching may not cause lasting harm, but frequent or forceful grinding can damage teeth and place additional stress on the jaw muscles.
Common signs of bruxism include:
- Flattened, chipped or worn teeth
- Tooth sensitivity or discomfort when chewing
- Morning headaches or jaw soreness
- Facial muscle tension
- Cracked fillings, crowns or other restorations
- Discomfort around the jaw joints
These symptoms can have several causes. Dr. Savukinas will examine your teeth and jaw to determine whether grinding or clenching may be contributing to your discomfort.
How Do Custom Night Guards Work?
A night guard is a removable oral appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep. It creates a protective barrier between the teeth, helping limit direct grinding wear and distribute biting forces more evenly.
Depending on your needs, a custom night guard may help:
- Protect tooth enamel from additional wear
- Reduce stress on crowns, bridges, veneers and other dental work
- Distribute pressure from clenching and grinding
- Reduce certain types of jaw muscle strain
- Help prevent additional chips, cracks and tooth damage
A night guard does not necessarily stop bruxism or reverse existing dental damage. Its primary purpose is to protect your teeth and support your long-term oral health.
Why Choose a Custom Night Guard?
Unlike store-bought mouth guards, custom night guards are designed around your individual teeth, bite and treatment needs. This allows Dr. Savukinas to evaluate how the appliance fits, how your teeth contact its surface and whether adjustments are necessary for comfortable use.
Over-the-counter guards may feel bulky, fit unevenly or place unwanted pressure on certain teeth. A professionally fitted appliance can provide more precise protection, particularly if you have existing crowns, veneers, bridges or other restorations.
What to Expect During Your Night Guard Evaluation
Your appointment begins with an examination of your teeth, existing dental work, bite and jaw muscles. Dr. Savukinas will look for signs of grinding-related damage and discuss any symptoms you have experienced, including morning headaches, jaw tension or tooth sensitivity.
If a night guard is recommended, impressions or digital records of your teeth will be taken to create an appliance that fits your bite. Once the guard is ready, Dr. Savukinas will check its fit and make any necessary adjustments. Our team will also explain how to wear, clean and maintain your appliance.
Can Night Guards Help With TMJ Pain?
Teeth grinding and clenching can contribute to muscle tension and discomfort around the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). For some patients, a properly selected oral appliance may help manage muscle-related symptoms by distributing forces more evenly during sleep.
However, not all jaw pain is caused by bruxism, and night guards are not appropriate for every TMJ condition. Dr. Savukinas will evaluate your symptoms and determine whether an appliance or another treatment approach may be beneficial. Learn more about our TMJ treatment options.
Caring for Your Night Guard
Proper care helps maintain your night guard’s fit and condition. Rinse the appliance after use, clean it according to our team’s instructions and store it in a ventilated case. Avoid hot water, which may cause certain materials to warp.
Bring your night guard to regular dental appointments so Dr. Savukinas can inspect it for wear, cracks and changes in fit. If you receive new dental restorations or notice that the appliance no longer fits comfortably, it may need adjustment or replacement.
Experienced Night Guard and Occlusal Appliance Care
Dr. Savukinas brings more than 34 years of restorative dentistry experience to evaluating and treating grinding-related dental concerns. He has completed more than 1,000 TMJ, night guard and occlusal appliance cases, along with extensive restorative work involving crowns, bridges and veneers.
He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994. His experience with dental restorations and bite relationships helps him assess how grinding forces may affect your teeth and existing dental work.
FAQ About Night Guards
How do I know if I need a night guard?
Signs that you may benefit from a night guard include worn or chipped teeth, morning jaw soreness, headaches and repeated damage to dental restorations. A dental examination can help determine whether bruxism is contributing to these problems and whether an appliance is appropriate.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard does not necessarily prevent the muscle activity responsible for grinding or clenching. Instead, it provides a protective surface between your teeth to help limit damage and manage biting forces. Additional treatment may be recommended depending on your symptoms and oral health.
Can I use a store-bought night guard?
Store-bought guards may provide limited protection, but they are not designed around your individual bite. An uneven or uncomfortable fit can create additional problems. A custom appliance allows your dentist to evaluate the fit, biting contacts and appropriate design for your needs.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain or headaches?
A night guard may help certain patients whose symptoms are related to grinding or clenching. However, headaches and jaw discomfort can have other causes. An examination is important to determine whether a night guard or another treatment would be more appropriate.
How long does a custom night guard last?
The lifespan of a night guard depends on the appliance design, grinding intensity and how well it is maintained. Heavy grinding may cause faster wear. Your dentist can examine the appliance during routine appointments and recommend adjustments or replacement when necessary.
Can I wear a night guard if I have crowns or veneers?
Yes. A custom night guard may help protect crowns, veneers, bridges and other restorations from grinding-related forces. The appliance should be designed around your existing dental work and evaluated periodically to ensure that it continues to fit and function properly.
Protect Your Teeth With Custom Night Guards in Rockville, MD
If you experience nighttime teeth grinding, morning jaw soreness or signs of excessive tooth wear, a custom night guard may help protect your smile. Dr. Savukinas provides individualized evaluations to identify grinding-related concerns and recommend appropriate treatment.
Call 301-738-1155 or schedule an appointment online to learn more about custom night guards in Rockville, MD.