What is a dental tray, and why are there so many types?
A dental tray is a thin, removable appliance worn over the teeth, usually custom-made for each person. Although people often use the same word for all of them, dental trays do very different jobs: some move the teeth, some hold the teeth in place, and others protect the teeth against wear, impact or a chemical treatment. That is why the first question behind "I want to get a dental tray" is always the same: what will the tray be used for?
In this guide, we help you tell apart the six most common types of trays and explain what each one does, who makes it and what the cost of a dental tray depends on. The aim is not for you to choose a tray on your own, but to clarify the question you will bring to your consultation.
What are the types of dental trays?
The table below shows, side by side, trays that look alike but serve completely different purposes.
| Tray type | What does it do? | When is it worn? | Who plans it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear orthodontic aligner | Moves the teeth in a planned way | 20–22 hours a day | Orthodontist |
| Night guard (bruxism guard, splint) | Reduces the damage that clenching and grinding cause to the teeth | Mostly during sleep | Dentist |
| Retainer (clear retainer) | Holds the teeth in their new position after orthodontic treatment | For the period your orthodontist recommends, then mostly at night | Orthodontist |
| Sports mouthguard | Protects the teeth and lips against impact | During training and games | Dentist |
| Snoring appliance | Supports the airway by positioning the lower jaw forward | During sleep | Dentist, together with a sleep evaluation |
| Whitening tray | Holds whitening gel against the tooth surfaces | For short periods set by the dentist | Dentist |
What do clear orthodontic aligners do?
Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment tool used to correct crowding, gaps between teeth and some bite problems. Their main difference from other types of trays is that they are not a single tray but a series of aligners. Each aligner moves the teeth a small step toward the planned position; following the orthodontist's plan, the patient usually switches to the next aligner every 1–2 weeks.
Treatment begins with an intraoral digital scan and a movement plan created on a computer. For the aligners to work, they need to be worn 20–22 hours a day; they are taken out for meals and hot drinks. The clinic uses the Invisalign system. If you would like to learn about the process step by step, see our what are clear aligners and clear aligner treatment pages.
An important note: night guards and retainers are not designed to move teeth. If your teeth are crowded, a protective tray will not fix the problem; an orthodontic evaluation is needed.
Who needs a night guard (teeth-grinding guard)?
A night guard places a protective layer between the teeth in people who clench or grind their teeth during sleep (bruxism). Tired jaw muscles in the morning, pain around the temples, flattened teeth or broken fillings are signs that suggest bruxism. The guard does not by itself stop the clenching habit; its purpose is to protect the teeth from wear and to balance the load on the jaw muscles.
Night guards can be made of hard acrylic (stabilization splint), soft thermoplastic or a dual-layer material. Which one is appropriate depends on how severe the clenching is, the findings in the jaw joint and the structure of the teeth. For details, you can read our articles what is a night guard and types of teeth-grinding guards.
Ready-made guards sold in pharmacies or online may seem like a short-term solution, but they may not fit the mouth properly and in some cases can affect the bite negatively. For a night guard that will be used long term, it is recommended that it be custom-made after an examination.
Why is a retainer so important?
When braces or clear aligner treatment ends, the teeth have not yet fully settled into their new positions; the surrounding tissues tend to pull the teeth back to where they were. A clear retainer is used to prevent this relapse. It looks very similar to a clear orthodontic aligner, but it does not move the teeth; it only holds them.
How long you wear it is decided by the orthodontist; in most cases, longer hours are recommended at first, followed by nighttime wear over the long term. The general consensus is that nighttime wear should continue for life to maintain the results. In some patients, a fixed wire bonded behind the teeth is used together with a clear retainer. For more detailed information, take a look at our retainers after clear aligners page.
Is a sports mouthguard the same as a night guard?
No. A sports mouthguard is made of a thicker, shock-absorbing material; its purpose is to protect the teeth, lips and jaw from impact in contact sports such as basketball, soccer, combat sports and hockey. A night guard, on the other hand, is thinner and suitable for wearing for long periods.
Mouthguards fall into three groups: ready-made ones, "boil-and-bite" ones that are softened in hot water and shaped by biting, and ones custom-made from an impression. Custom-made mouthguards generally fit the mouth better and interfere less with speaking and breathing. Athletes undergoing braces or clear aligner treatment should plan their mouthguard together with their orthodontist, because the teeth move throughout treatment.
How does a snoring appliance work?
A snoring appliance (mandibular advancement device) is a two-piece tray worn on the lower and upper teeth. During sleep, it positions the lower jaw slightly forward, reducing the tendency of the base of the tongue to fall back and helping keep the airway open. It can be used for simple snoring and in some mild to moderate sleep apnea cases that the physician considers suitable.
Because snoring can sometimes be a sign of sleep apnea, an evaluation by a sleep physician and, if necessary, a sleep study are important before the appliance is made. The appliance is adjusted by the dentist according to the condition of the teeth and the jaw joint. For more, you can read our article what is a snoring appliance.
What is a whitening tray?
Used for at-home teeth whitening, this tray is a thin, flexible tray made to fit your teeth. The whitening gel provided by the dentist is placed inside it, and it is worn for set periods. A custom tray reduces the gel spilling onto the gums. Before whitening, cavities, gum disease and sensitivity should be checked; if orthodontic treatment is ongoing, the timing of whitening is also planned with the dentist.
What does the cost of a dental tray depend on?
It is not possible to give a single figure for dental tray costs, because the trays above differ greatly in how they are made, what they are made of and how much follow-up they need. The main factors that determine the fee are:
- Type and purpose of the tray: A single protective tray and a series of clear aligners that progresses month by month cannot be assessed the same way.
- Material and thickness: Hard acrylic, soft thermoplastic or a dual-layer structure changes the cost.
- Impression method: A conventional impression or an intraoral digital scan.
- One jaw or both jaws: Two-piece trays such as snoring appliances require more work.
- Laboratory and production process: Where and with which technique the tray is made.
- Check-up and adjustment appointments: Fit adjustments for a night guard; check-ups throughout treatment for clear aligners.
- Need for replacement: Night guards and retainers wear out over time; a spare tray may be needed.
The same applies if you are wondering about the cost of a night guard: the severity of clenching and the type of guard chosen are the deciding factors. The fee is communicated in writing after the examination and planning. We explain the factors that affect the cost of clear orthodontic treatment in detail on our clear aligner cost page.
How can you tell which dental tray you need?
Before your consultation, you can ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want to change how my teeth are aligned? An orthodontic evaluation is needed.
- Do I have jaw fatigue in the morning or wear on my teeth? Get examined for bruxism.
- Has my braces or clear aligner treatment just ended? Talk to your orthodontist about your retention plan.
- Do I play a contact sport? Ask about a custom mouthguard.
- Do I snore, or do I stop breathing during sleep? Have a sleep evaluation first.
Sometimes more than one need exists at the same time. For example, a patient who is undergoing clear aligner treatment and also clenches may not always need a separate night guard; this decision is made at the examination. Our how to clean clear aligners and clear aligner care products pages guide you on cleaning your trays. For other removable and fixed devices, see our orthodontic appliances page.
Where can you have your tray evaluated?
If you are considering a tray related to the alignment of your teeth, the first step is an orthodontic examination. At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), evaluates your need for clear aligners and retention; for conditions such as teeth clenching, suitable protective options are discussed with you. The clinic is located in Ankara, Çankaya, at Park Oran Ofis in Oran, and is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00. To make an appointment, you can reach us by phone at 0312 911 60 36 or via WhatsApp.