Short answer: A night guard for teeth clenching is prepared in stages: examination, an impression or digital scan, laboratory manufacturing, and a try-in and adjustment in the mouth; in most cases the process takes from a few days to a few weeks. A digital scan creates a three-dimensional model of the teeth without using impression material. The guard should be cleaned with lukewarm or cold water, not hot water, using a soft brush, and stored in its case. Replacement is considered when it breaks, becomes thin or no longer fits properly.
A night guard for teeth clenching is a custom appliance that has to fit the teeth precisely. For this reason, how it is made, how long it takes to be delivered and how it is cared for every day directly affect both its comfort and its lifespan. In this article we answer the question of how a night guard for teeth clenching is made step by step, from examination to delivery, and explain the difference between impressions and digital scanning, the adjustment period, the cleaning rules and when the guard should be replaced. If you are curious about the different types of guards, you can first read our article on types of night guards for teeth clenching.
Let us say this up front: a night guard does not stop clenching completely. Its job is to protect the teeth from wear during clenching and grinding and to help distribute the load on the chewing muscles more evenly. To do this job, it needs to fit the teeth correctly, be worn regularly and be well looked after.
How a teeth clenching night guard is made, step by step
A night guard for teeth clenching is usually prepared by going through the stages of examination, an impression or digital scan, laboratory manufacturing, and a try-in and adjustment in the mouth. In most cases the process is completed within a few days to a few weeks; the time varies depending on the type of guard and the laboratory schedule.
- Examination: Signs of wear on the teeth, broken or cracked fillings, the chewing muscles and the jaw joint are assessed. Possible causes of bruxism are discussed. For more information, you can see our article on what causes teeth clenching (bruxism).
- Preliminary treatments: If there are cavities, broken fillings or gum problems, it is recommended to address them before the guard is made, because the guard will sit on these teeth. A new filling or crown placed after the guard has been made can change how the guard fits; for this reason, it is preferable to complete any planned dental treatment first, if possible.
- Impression or scan: The shape of the teeth is recorded with traditional impression material or with an intraoral scanner. If needed, the bite relationship between the upper and lower jaws is also recorded.
- Manufacturing: The guard is prepared in the laboratory according to the chosen material and thickness.
- Delivery and adjustment: The guard is tried in the mouth; its fit, edges and bite contacts are assessed, and small corrections are made if needed. Instructions for use and care are explained.
On the day of delivery, the dentist checks that the guard can be put in and taken out easily, that it sits on the teeth without rocking and that one side does not touch before the other when biting. You are also shown how to put in and take out the guard: it is usually seated by pressing evenly on both sides with your fingertips, not pushed into place by biting. When removing it, lifting it gently from the back area prevents strain on the guard.
Impression or digital scan?
A well-fitting guard can be made with either method; a digital scan, however, offers a more comfortable and faster way to take records for most people. In the traditional method, a paste-like impression material is placed on the teeth with a tray and left to set. People with a gag reflex may find this stage difficult. After the impression is taken, a plaster model is made and the guard is manufactured on this model; air bubbles or slipping in the impression can affect the fit of the model and therefore of the guard.
The iTero intraoral scanner used at our clinic creates a three-dimensional digital model of the teeth and gums with a small scanner tip. The main features of this method are:
- Because no impression material is used, the gagging sensation is reduced for most people.
- The image appears on the screen instantly; if an area is missing, it can be rescanned right away.
- Because the digital record can be stored, the same record can be used if the guard is lost or needs to be replaced, as long as there has been no significant change in the teeth. This decision still depends on the dentist's assessment.
- By seeing a model of their own teeth on the screen, patients can more easily understand the areas of wear.
The bite relationship can also be recorded digitally during the scan; this record helps plan the guard's contact with the opposing teeth at the laboratory stage. Whichever method is used to take the records, the final adjustment of the guard in the mouth is still done at the clinic.
Getting used to the guard
For most people, getting used to the guard takes from a few days to a few weeks. In the first nights, there may be a foreign body sensation in the mouth, increased saliva, a slight change in speech and mild pressure on the teeth. These symptoms usually decrease with regular use.
- For the first few evenings, you can wear the guard for a while before going to bed to let your mouth get used to it.
- In the morning, the teeth may feel briefly as if they bite "differently"; this feeling usually passes quickly.
- If the guard digs into an area, irritates the gums or causes marked pain, do not sand or file it yourself; it should be adjusted at the clinic.
- If morning pain, clicking from the joint or limited mouth opening increases, see your dentist.
The benefit of the guard depends on regular use. Wearing it some nights and not others both makes it harder to get used to and leaves nights when the teeth are unprotected. If you remove the guard during sleep without noticing, or find it on your pillow in the morning, this may be related to how the guard fits; tell your dentist at the follow-up appointment. Do not eat or drink anything other than water after putting the guard in; sugary drinks can stay in contact with the teeth under the guard for a long time.
Alongside the guard, stress, sleep patterns and daytime habits should also be addressed. For people who clench their teeth during the day without noticing, our article on the causes and treatment of daytime teeth clenching can offer guidance.
How do you clean a teeth clenching night guard?
Every morning after removing it, the night guard should be rinsed with lukewarm or cold water, gently cleaned with a soft brush, dried and stored in its case. Regular cleaning reduces the build-up of deposits, odor and discoloration on the guard. A layer of saliva and bacteria builds up on the surface of a guard that stays in the mouth all night; if it is put away in its case without being cleaned, odor and discoloration can develop during the day.
Recommended
- Rinse the guard with cold or lukewarm water after each use.
- Brush it gently with a soft brush and unscented liquid soap.
- Brush your teeth before putting it in; food debris left on the teeth can stay under the guard all night.
- After cleaning, dry the guard, let it air out and store it in its own case.
- Wash the case regularly as well.
To avoid
- Do not use hot water: Boiling or very hot water can distort the guard's shape and change how it fits.
- Do not scrub it hard with toothpaste: Abrasive particles in toothpaste can scratch the surface of the guard; scratched surfaces increase the build-up of bacteria and stains.
- Do not clean it with bleach, alcohol-based solutions or harsh chemicals.
- Do not leave the guard wrapped in a napkin out in the open; this is one of the most common reasons guards get lost.
- Do not leave it in the sun, inside a car or on a radiator.
- Do not keep it where pets can reach it.
If you would like to use cleaning tablets, you can ask your dentist whether they are suitable for the material of your guard. When traveling, taking your guard with you in its case helps you keep up regular use. If white, hard deposits start to form on the guard, do not try to scrape them off; you can ask for it to be cleaned at the clinic during your follow-up appointment.
When should the guard be replaced?
The lifespan of a night guard for teeth clenching varies depending on the material, the severity of the clenching and how it is cared for; it would not be accurate to give a single time frame. Soft guards usually wear out sooner, while hard acrylic guards can be used for longer with proper care. In a person with severe grinding, the guard may wear down much faster than in someone with mild clenching; for this reason, the time for replacement is determined by checking the condition of the guard at follow-up appointments. In the following situations, the guard should be assessed or replaced:
- If there is a hole, crack, fracture or marked thinning in the guard
- If the guard no longer fits as it did, feeling loose or tight
- If deep wear marks have formed on the surface
- If there is odor or discoloration that does not go away despite cleaning
- If the shape of the teeth has changed after a filling, crown, implant, extraction or orthodontic treatment
Wear marks on the guard actually show that the guard is doing its job: that force has been absorbed by the guard instead of the teeth. Still, the ability of a worn guard to protect the teeth decreases. Putting off replacing the guard for a long time can allow the teeth to touch each other again through the thinned areas. Do not try to repair a broken or cracked guard with glue; this both ruins the fit and creates a risk of contact with substances that are not suitable for the mouth.
When the guard needs to be replaced, the dentist decides whether the previous digital record can be used if the teeth have not changed. If there have been changes, a new scan is taken. Replacement is also an opportunity to reassess the type and design of the guard. For general usage recommendations, you can also read our article on night guard use.
The importance of check-ups while using a guard
For people who use a night guard for teeth clenching, regular check-ups are important for monitoring both the fit of the guard and the condition of the teeth and jaw joint. The check-up interval is determined individually; an adjustment appointment is planned shortly after the initial delivery, followed by check-ups usually combined with routine dental examinations. Bringing your guard in its case to your check-up is necessary so that the dentist can assess the guard both in and outside the mouth.
At check-ups, the following are usually assessed:
- How the guard fits on the teeth and the balance of the bite contacts
- Areas of wear on the guard surface and how the clenching is progressing
- Whether there is new wear, cracking or sensitivity in the teeth
- The status of complaints in the chewing muscles and the jaw joint
There are also situations in which you should not wait for your check-up appointment: the guard breaking, marked pain when wearing it, new sensitivity in the teeth, limited mouth opening or a feeling of locking in the jaw joint. In these situations, it is more appropriate to contact the clinic rather than forcing yourself to keep using the guard.
If muscle pain and jaw joint complaints persist despite the guard, a different guard design or additional approaches can be considered. For complaints originating from the joint, our article on TMJ treatment may give you an idea. For questions about the examination and the night guard process at our clinic in Çankaya, Ankara, you can reach us through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does it take to make a night guard for teeth clenching?
The time varies depending on the type of guard and the laboratory schedule; in most cases it is between a few days and a few weeks. If there is a dental problem that needs to be treated before the guard is made, it may take longer.
Can a night guard be brushed with toothpaste?
This is not recommended. Abrasive particles in toothpaste can scratch the surface of the guard. Gently cleaning it with a soft brush and lukewarm water, and unscented liquid soap if needed, is enough.
Can a night guard be washed in hot water?
No. Hot or boiling water can distort the guard's shape and change how it fits on the teeth. Lukewarm or cold water should be used for cleaning.
How long does it take to get used to a night guard?
Most people get used to it within a few days to a few weeks. In the first nights, there may be increased saliva, a foreign body sensation and mild pressure. If it digs in or causes marked pain, the guard should be adjusted at the clinic.
When should a night guard for teeth clenching be replaced?
There is no single time frame. If there is a hole, crack, marked thinning, a fit problem or an odor that does not go away, or if the shape of the teeth has changed due to procedures such as fillings or crowns, replacing the guard is considered.
If the guard is lost, does a new impression need to be taken?
If there is a digital scan record and there has been no significant change in the teeth, the same record can be used. If there have been changes, a new scan or impression is needed; the dentist makes this decision.
