General Dentistry
Custom Mouthguards
Made from a precise model of your teeth, so protection feels like nothing.
What this is, in plain language
A custom mouthguard is a protective appliance made from an exact model of your own teeth, rather than a boil-and-bite version softened over a stove. We make two kinds. Sports guards cushion teeth, lips, and jaw against impact for athletes of every age. Night guards protect against grinding and clenching, habits that quietly wear enamel flat, crack teeth, and strain the jaw while you sleep, often without your knowing.
The making of one is simple. We take a digital scan of your teeth, a few minutes of a small wand moving through your mouth, with no trays of impression putty unless you prefer them. A dental lab then crafts your guard to that exact model. When it arrives, usually within two weeks, you return briefly so we can check the fit, make fine adjustments, and confirm it seats comfortably and securely.
The difference between custom and store-bought is the difference between worn and abandoned. A guard that fits precisely stays put without clenching, allows normal breathing and speech, and lasts for years instead of months. For grinders, a well-made night guard often eases morning jaw soreness and headaches within weeks, and it costs far less than repairing the cracked teeth it prevents. We check its fit and wear at your regular visits.
This might be right for you if
- You or your child plays a contact or ball sport regularly.
- You wake with a sore jaw, dull headaches, or tired facial muscles.
- Your partner hears you grinding your teeth at night.
- Your dentist has noticed flattened, chipped, or worn edges on your teeth.
- You bought a drugstore guard and could not stand wearing it.
What to expect
A custom guard takes two short visits and no goopy impressions. The process involves:
- A quick look at your teeth for wear, and a conversation about your sport or your sleep
- A few-minute digital scan of your teeth, with no trays or putty
- A guard crafted by a dental lab from that exact model, usually ready within two weeks
- A short fitting visit to seat the guard and adjust any tight or high spots
How it unfolds, step by step
A quick assessment
We look at your teeth for signs of wear, talk about your sport or your sleep, and decide together which type of guard and material suits you best.
A digital scan
A small handheld scanner captures a precise 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes. No trays, no putty, no gagging, and you can watch the model appear on screen.
Crafted at the lab
A dental lab makes your guard from the scan using durable, comfortable material matched to its purpose: firmer for grinding, cushioned for sport. It typically arrives within two weeks.
Fitting and fine-tuning
You return for a short visit where we seat the guard, adjust any tight or high spots, and make sure it feels secure, comfortable, and easy to forget you are wearing.
Caring for it afterward
A well-kept guard stays comfortable and lasts for years. A simple routine is all it takes:
- Rinse it with cool water after each use, and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
- Let it dry fully in its ventilated case between uses
- Keep it away from hot water and hot cars, which can warp the material
- Store it out of reach of pets, who find guards irresistible
- Bring it to your regular visits so we can check the fit and wear
Questions everyone asks
Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, fit loosely, and tend to end up in a drawer, which protects nothing. A custom guard is made from an exact model of your teeth, so it stays in place without effort, lets you breathe and speak normally, and typically lasts years rather than months.
Common clues are waking with a sore or tight jaw, dull morning headaches, teeth that look flattened or chipped at the edges, and increased sensitivity. Sometimes a partner hears it first. Dr. Holt can usually see the telltale wear patterns during a routine exam.
It does not stop the habit itself, which is often tied to stress or sleep patterns, but it redirects the force onto a replaceable piece of material instead of your enamel. Teeth stop wearing down, and many patients notice less jaw soreness and fewer headaches within a few weeks.
A night guard typically lasts three to five years, sometimes longer, depending on how heavily you grind. Sports guards for growing children may need replacing more often as teeth and jaws change. We check the fit and wear at your regular visits and let you know when it is time.
Rinse it with cool water after each use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and let it dry in its ventilated case. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material, and keep it away from curious pets, who find them irresistible.
Often explored together
Wondering if custom mouthguards is right for you?
Bring us the question. A conversation costs nothing and you will leave with a straight answer either way.