Teeth grinding and jaw clenching place repeated pressure on your teeth during sleep. Over time, this pressure wears down enamel, damages fillings or crowns, and leaves your jaw sore in the morning. A custom dental night guard creates a protective layer between your upper and lower teeth.
Prime Family Dentistry provides custom night guards in South Riding, VA, for adults and teens with signs of sleep bruxism. Dr. Subha C. Yerabollu examines your teeth, reviews your symptoms, and designs an appliance around your bite. Your guard should feel secure, smooth, and comfortable enough for regular use.
What Is a Dental Night Guard?
A dental night guard is a removable oral appliance worn over your teeth during sleep. Dentists also use terms such as bite guard, bruxism guard, occlusal guard, or dental splint.
The appliance keeps your upper and lower teeth apart. This separation limits direct tooth contact during grinding or clenching. It protects enamel and dental work from repeated pressure. A guard also spreads biting forces across a broader surface instead of placing stress on a few teeth.
A night guard protects your teeth from the effects of bruxism. It does not remove every cause of grinding. Your dentist might also discuss sleep quality, stress, medicines, jaw habits, or related health concerns. Mouth guards help prevent tooth damage and reduce muscle activity linked with grinding and clenching.
What Are the Signs You Need a Night Guard?
Sleep bruxism often happens without your awareness. A partner sometimes hears grinding before you notice symptoms. Your dentist might also find wear during a routine exam.
Book an evaluation when you notice:
- Jaw soreness or stiffness after waking.
- Morning headaches near your temples.
- Facial muscle fatigue.
- Tooth sensitivity without a clear cause.
- Flattened, worn, chipped, or cracked teeth.
- Damaged fillings, crowns, or veneers.
- Tightness while opening your mouth.
- Cheek biting or tongue indentations.
- Grinding sounds during sleep.
These signs also occur with other dental or jaw conditions. An exam helps identify the source. Dentists look for tooth wear, damaged restorations, jaw tenderness, bite changes, and restricted movement while evaluating bruxism.
Benefits of a Custom Night Guard
A custom night guard protects your teeth and dental work from the pressure created by nighttime grinding and clenching. Its precise fit also supports comfort and regular use.
Key benefits include:
- Reduces enamel wear caused by tooth grinding.
- Lowers the risk of chipped or cracked teeth.
- Protects crowns, fillings, bridges, and veneers.
- Limits pressure on sensitive or weakened teeth.
- Reduces direct contact between upper and lower teeth.
- Fits securely around your natural bite.
- Feels less bulky than most store-bought guards.
- Supports easier breathing and speaking before sleep.
- Allows your dentist to check wear patterns over time.
- Provides long-term protection for your smile.
A custom appliance works best when you wear it as directed and bring it to routine dental visits for inspection.
How Does a Custom Night Guard Protect Your Teeth?
A custom night guard covers the biting surfaces of your upper or lower teeth and helps absorb and spread pressure from grinding or clenching. Regular use reduces direct enamel wear, protects crowns, fillings, bridges, and veneers, lowers the risk of chips and small fractures, and limits pressure on sensitive teeth. It also creates a stable biting surface and gives your dentist a clear wear pattern to review during checkups.
A night guard does not guarantee relief from headaches, jaw pain, or temporomandibular joint symptoms because jaw discomfort has several possible causes.
Stop using the appliance and contact your dentist if it increases pain or changes how your teeth meet.
What Happens During a Night Guard Appointment?
Your treatment starts with a dental evaluation. The process does not require drilling or anesthesia.
Review and Examination
Dr. Yerabollu asks about morning headaches, jaw tightness, tooth sensitivity, sleep habits, stress, recent dental work, and medicines. She checks enamel wear, small fractures, damaged restorations, muscle tenderness, and jaw movement.
Dental Impression or Digital Scan
The team records the shape of your teeth and bite. This record guides the design of your guard. The goal is a secure fit with even contact across the appliance.
Guard Fabrication
A dental laboratory or in-office system creates your appliance from durable dental material. The design reflects your bite, tooth wear, and comfort needs.
Fitting and Adjustment
Your dentist checks retention, comfort, edges, and bite contact. Small adjustments improve stability and reduce pressure points. Bring the guard to future visits for wear and fit reviews.
Meet Dr. Subha C. Yerabollu
Dr. Subha C. Yerabollu, known as Dr. Sue, has served patients across the DC metro area since 2010. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the New York University College of Dentistry in 2009. Through ongoing continuing education, she stays informed about current techniques and advances in dentistry.
Dr. Sue focuses on prevention, clear patient education, and practical guidance to help every patient maintain strong teeth, healthy gums, and a confident smile throughout life.
Cost of Night Guards in South Riding, VA
The cost of a night guard depends on the appliance type, material, bite design, laboratory fees, and adjustments required. A custom night guard from a dental office costs more than a store-bought option because it includes professional evaluation, precise impressions or a digital scan, fabrication, fitting, and bite adjustments.
| Night Guard Type | Estimated Self-Pay Cost |
| Stock night guard | $3 to $25 |
| Boil and bite night guard | $15 to $30 |
| Mail-in custom night guard | $80 to $250 |
| Dentist-provided custom night guard | $300 to $1,000 |
These figures represent estimated price ranges. They do not reflect a confirmed fee from Prime Family Dentistry. Your final cost depends on the guard material, appliance design, grinding severity, dental examination, and required adjustments.
DENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS AT PRIME FAMILY DENTISTRY
Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (703) 214-9126 for clarity.
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Why Choose Prime Family Dentistry for Night Guards?
Prime Family Dentistry provides family dental care in South Riding, VA. Our approach focuses on prevention, patient education, and long-term oral health.
Your visit includes:
- Detailed Bite Evaluation: A focused review of your symptoms, bite, tooth wear, and jaw comfort helps identify your specific treatment needs.
- Custom Night Guard Design: A custom night guard fits your teeth and bite to provide secure, comfortable, and consistent nighttime protection.
- Care and Cleaning Guidance: You receive clear instructions for wearing, cleaning, storing, and inspecting your appliance to maintain its condition and fit.
- Precise Fit Adjustments: Your dentist adjusts the appliance when needed to reduce pressure points, improve stability, and support comfortable daily use.
- Ongoing Appliance Monitoring: Routine dental visits help monitor wear, bite changes, appliance damage, and signs that replacement is needed.
- Protection for Teeth and Restorations: You receive guidance on protecting crowns, fillings, veneers, and natural teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching.
Prime Family Dentistry is located at 24805 Pinebrook Rd, Ste. 316, South Riding, VA 20152. Call (703) 214-9126 or schedule online to request an appointment.
Schedule a Night Guard Consultation in South Riding, VA
Do not wait for grinding to chip a tooth or damage a restoration. A focused dental exam identifies wear early and shows whether a custom guard fits your needs.
Contact Prime Family Dentistry for night guards in South Riding, VA. Call (703) 214-9126 or request an appointment online.
Bring a list of your symptoms, medicines, sleep concerns, and recent dental work. Your dentist will explain the findings, review your options, and create a plan based on your bite.
FAQs
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard protects your teeth by separating the upper and lower arches. It does not always stop the grinding habit. Your dentist will also review stress, sleep, medicines, and jaw habits when planning care.
Should I wear my night guard every night?
Follow the schedule provided by your dentist. Regular nighttime wear gives your teeth consistent protection. Contact the office if the guard causes pain, feels loose, damages your gums, or changes your bite after removal.
Does a night guard go on the top or bottom teeth?
A night guard fits over either the upper or lower teeth. Your dentist selects the arch based on your bite, dental work, comfort, tooth wear, and appliance stability. Both designs require a precise fit.
Is a custom night guard uncomfortable?
A custom guard should feel secure without pinching your gums or forcing your jaw into an unnatural position. A brief adjustment period is common. Persistent soreness, sharp edges, or sleep disruption need a dental review.
Does dental insurance cover a night guard?
Coverage differs by plan, diagnosis, and benefit limits. Ask the office for an estimate before treatment. You should also contact your insurer to review deductibles, frequency limits, exclusions, and required documentation.
When should I replace my night guard?
Replace your guard when it develops holes, cracks, sharp edges, heavy wear, odor, or a poor fit. Dental work and bite changes also affect fit. Bring your appliance to routine exams for review.