Short answer: The main types of night guards for teeth clenching are the soft night guard, the hard acrylic guard and the stabilization splint. A soft guard is easier to get used to in mild clenching, but it can wear out quickly, and there is a view that it may increase clenching in some people. Hard acrylic guards and stabilization splints are preferred in most cases of moderate and severe clenching. A guard does not stop clenching completely, but it protects the teeth; which type is suitable is determined by an examination.
For teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism), dentists most often recommend a protective guard. However, "guard" is not the name of a single product: soft night guards, hard acrylic guards and stabilization splints are made from different materials and serve different purposes. Ready-made guards sold in pharmacies and online are often added to this list as well. In this article we explain in plain language the differences between the types of night guards for teeth clenching, which jaw the guard is made for and how the choice is made. If you are curious about the causes of bruxism, you can first read our article on what causes teeth clenching (bruxism).
What is a night guard for teeth clenching?
A night guard for teeth clenching is a thin, custom-made intraoral appliance that sits over the teeth and prevents the upper and lower teeth from grinding directly against each other. In the literature it is called an occlusal splint, and in everyday language it is also referred to as a night guard or bite guard. It is mostly used during sleep, because a large proportion of bruxism episodes occur at night.
Here we need to be honest: a guard does not stop teeth clenching completely. The clenching habit depends on many factors, such as stress, sleep patterns, certain medications and personal predisposition. The guard's main job is to protect the teeth from wear and cracks and the fillings from breaking, and to help distribute the load on the chewing muscles more evenly. In some people, morning jaw fatigue and temple pain may decrease; however, this effect varies from person to person.
Signs that suggest the need for a guard include flattening of the tips of the teeth, enamel cracks, fillings that break frequently, fatigue or tension in the jaw on waking, headaches in the temple area and sensitivity to cold in the teeth. A grinding sound heard at night by the person sharing the bed is also an important clue. Because these signs can have other causes too, the assessment is made through an examination.
Soft night guard
A soft night guard is made from a flexible, rubber-like material. Thanks to its thin and soft structure, it is usually easier to get used to when first worn. It may be preferred for people with mild clenching complaints, in situations where short-term protection is needed, or for a need similar to that of a sports mouthguard.
That said, the soft material has some limitations:
- It can wear out and develop holes more quickly with severe clenching and grinding.
- Because its surface is flexible, it may not distribute biting force as evenly as a hard guard.
- Some researchers and clinicians suggest that a soft guard may create a "chewing gum" effect and increase muscle activity and clenching in some people. This view does not apply to everyone and the subject is still debated; nevertheless, it is a point taken into account for people with marked muscle pain.
For this reason, a soft guard is not seen as the first option for every bruxism patient; the decision is made based on the examination findings. When a soft guard is chosen, how the complaints progress during use is also monitored. If morning jaw pain increases or the guard starts to develop holes within a short time, the type of guard may need to be reassessed.
Hard acrylic guard and stabilization splint
A hard acrylic guard is made from a durable, rigid material. It is the type preferred in most cases of moderate and severe teeth clenching, when long-term use is planned. Because its surface is smooth and flat, the opposing teeth can glide over the guard; this reduces the teeth locking against each other. Because the hard material is more resistant to being chewed, the clenching force is spread over the surface of the guard, and the guard wears down instead of the teeth. Over time, the shiny wear areas seen on the guard can give the dentist an idea of where the clenching is concentrated.
What is a stabilization splint?
A stabilization splint is a specially adjusted form of the hard acrylic guard. It ensures that the teeth in the opposing jaw contact the guard at the same time and with equal force; when the jaw moves sideways and forward, the contacts are guided as planned by the dentist. The aim is to create a more balanced bite environment for the chewing muscles and the jaw joint. This adjustment becomes especially important in people who also have jaw joint complaints; you can find more information on guards for joint problems in our article what is a TMJ splint.
Aspects of a hard guard that need attention
- In the first days it may feel more noticeable than a soft guard.
- Small adjustments may be needed over a few check-up appointments so that the contact points fit the teeth.
- Because its edges and thickness are shaped individually, it should only be adjusted in the mouth by the dentist.
Some guards can also be made from a layered material with a hard outer surface and a softer inner surface. Such in-between options can be considered for people looking for a balance between comfort and durability.
Is it made for the lower jaw or the upper jaw?
A night guard for teeth clenching is usually made for the upper jaw, but it can also be made for the lower jaw, and the choice depends on the person's teeth and bite structure. Because an upper jaw guard sits on a wider surface, it is usually more stable and the bite adjustment is easier to make.
A lower jaw guard, on the other hand, affects speech less in some people and is less noticeable. The lower jaw may be preferred for people with a pronounced gag reflex, those with missing teeth or an extensive prosthesis in the upper jaw, or when the bite structure requires it. Making guards for both jaws at the same time is usually planned not for bruxism protection but for different treatment purposes.
The thickness of the guard is at least as important as the choice of jaw. A guard that is too thick can keep the jaw open more than necessary throughout the night and create tension in the muscles; a guard that is too thin can develop holes quickly with severe clenching. For this reason, the thickness is determined by considering the severity of the clenching and the bite structure together. In people with crowns, bridges or implant-supported prostheses in their mouth, the guard is planned so that it also protects these restorations.
Are ready-made guards from the pharmacy enough?
Ready-made guards bought from a pharmacy or online (boil-and-bite guards shaped in the mouth) can be a short-term, temporary solution, but in most cases they are not considered sufficient for regular teeth clenching. These products are softened in hot water, placed in the mouth and roughly shaped by biting.
The main limitations of ready-made guards are:
- They do not fit the teeth precisely; gaps and thick areas can form.
- Because the thickness cannot be adjusted, the jaw may stay open more than it should throughout the night.
- The bite balance is not adjusted; some teeth may bear excessive load.
- Because they are made from soft material, they can be chewed during clenching and wear out quickly.
- Using a poorly fitting appliance for a long time can, although rarely, lead to unwanted movements of the teeth.
If you are thinking of using a ready-made guard, we recommend that you at least consult a dentist and not see it as a permanent solution. The situation is different for children; because of erupting teeth and jaw development, ready-made guards are not recommended, and the decision about a guard is assessed separately according to the child's stage of development.
The basic difference between a custom guard and a ready-made one is that the custom guard is made from an exact record of the teeth and is adjusted in the mouth by the dentist. Making sure the edges do not press on the gums, that the thickness is evenly distributed and that the bite contacts are balanced are all part of this adjustment.
How is the type of guard chosen?
Which type of guard will be used is determined by evaluating the intraoral examination, signs of wear on the teeth and the person's complaints together. It would not be right to simply say "hard is better" or "soft is more comfortable". The points the dentist usually takes into account are:
- Severity of clenching: If there is marked wear, cracks or broken fillings on the teeth, a more durable guard is considered.
- Muscle and joint complaints: Findings such as morning jaw fatigue, temple pain and clicking from the joint may make a stabilization splint the more likely choice.
- Night or day: Daytime clenching is mostly addressed with awareness and habit work; our article on the causes of daytime teeth clenching can offer guidance on this topic.
- Existing treatments: If there are crowns, bridges, implants or ongoing dental treatment in the mouth, the decision about the guard is made together with these treatments.
- Personal tolerance: The gag reflex, speaking needs and usage habits also affect the choice.
In some cases, the type of guard initially chosen can be changed based on observations during use. For example, someone who starts with a soft guard and wears holes in it within a short time may be switched to a hard guard, while for someone who experiences marked discomfort with a hard guard, changes to the design may come into consideration.
A guard is only one part of bruxism management. Lifestyle measures such as stress management, regular sleep and paying attention to caffeine and alcohol intake, and for muscle-related complaints, options such as Botox injected into the masseter muscle in some people, may also come into consideration. For a comparison of these two approaches, you can read our article Botox or a night guard for teeth clenching.
Examination for a teeth clenching night guard in Ankara
At our clinic in Çankaya, Ankara, an intraoral examination is carried out before a night guard for teeth clenching is made; wear on the teeth, the chewing muscles and the jaw joint are assessed. If considered necessary, the tooth and bone structure are examined with X-rays. Once the decision for a guard is made, records can be taken digitally with the iTero intraoral scanner; this way, a three-dimensional model of the teeth is obtained without the need for traditional impression material.
When coming to the examination, it is helpful to note down information that will help assess the need for a guard: how long the complaints have lasted, whether they are more noticeable in the morning or evening, any medications you take regularly, your sleep patterns and whether you have used a guard or mouthguard before. If you have a guard you used before, bringing it with you is valuable for seeing the wear marks on it.
We explain topics such as how the guard is made, the adjustment period, cleaning and when to replace it step by step in our article on how a night guard for teeth clenching is made. After the guard is delivered, a check-up appointment is planned in the first weeks; the fit, edges and bite contacts of the guard are reassessed. Depending on how the complaints progress, the type or design of the guard can be changed. For your questions, you can reach us through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Should a night guard for teeth clenching be hard or soft?
This depends on the severity of the clenching and the complaints. In moderate and severe clenching, and for long-term use, a hard acrylic guard is usually preferred. A soft guard can be considered for mild clenching or short-term protection; the decision is made through an examination.
Does a soft night guard increase teeth clenching?
Some clinicians suggest that a soft guard may create a chewing sensation and increase muscle activity in some people. This does not apply to everyone and the subject is debated. For people with marked muscle pain, the dentist takes this possibility into account.
Is a stabilization splint the same as a night guard?
A stabilization splint is a type of night guard. It is made from hard acrylic and is specially adjusted so that the opposing teeth contact the guard evenly. Not every night guard is a stabilization splint.
Is a night guard for teeth clenching worn on the lower jaw or the upper jaw?
It is usually made for the upper jaw, because it is more stable and easier to adjust. The lower jaw may also be preferred for reasons such as the gag reflex, missing teeth or the bite structure.
Can a mouthguard bought from a pharmacy be used?
Ready-made boil-and-bite guards can be a short-term, temporary solution. Because they do not fit the teeth precisely and their thickness and bite cannot be adjusted, in most cases they are not considered sufficient for regular teeth clenching.
Does teeth clenching go away completely once you wear a guard?
No, a guard does not stop teeth clenching completely. It protects the teeth against wear and fracture and helps distribute the muscle load more evenly. Measures aimed at the causes of clenching should be addressed separately.
