Night Guards

Consider a custom night guard if you snore or grind your teeth. At Livewell Dental in Santa Ana, California, James Sung, DDS, and the team offer custom 3D-printed night guards to people of all ages. These removable oral appliances can reduce tooth damage, prevent snoring, and help you get a better night’s sleep. To request a night guard consultation, call the office today or book online.

What are night guards?

A night guard is a removable oral appliance that fits snugly over your lower dental arch. At Livewell Dental, the team uses night guards to treat two conditions:

Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Up to 40 million Americans (about 10% of the population) grind their teeth during sleep. That increases your risk of more serious problems, like enamel damage and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. 

A night guard prevents your upper and lower teeth from rubbing against each other, reducing the risk of chips, cracks, and other types of damage.

Snoring

Everyone snores occasionally, but if you frequently wake up in the night or experience morning headaches, it may indicate a more serious underlying problem. A snoring night guard is an oral appliance that pushes your lower jaw slightly forward, which increases the size of the opening at the back of your throat, making it easier to breathe.

What does getting night guards involve?

At Livewell Dental, getting a custom night guard takes only one visit. The team has 3D printers in-house, so they can manufacture your appliance in under 90 minutes.

First, your provider reviews your dental records and asks about your symptoms, including if you regularly snore or experience jaw pain. Next, they complete an oral exam and take a series of 3D digital X-rays.

You qualify for treatment if the X-rays and oral exam confirm enamel damage or loose tissues at the back of your throat. Your Livewell Dental provider takes digital impressions of your teeth and gums with an intraoral scanner and uploads them to a computer program.

After finalizing a custom night guard design, your provider uploads it to one of the in-house 3D printers. Then, the printer manufactures your night guard from a high-quality plastic polymer.

When your custom night guard is ready, the team has you try it on. Your provider makes adjustments to ensure a perfect fit and explains how to keep your night guard in optimal condition.

How long do night guards last?

Night guards last between five and seven years* on average, but you can extend their use by taking good care of them. The team at Livewell Dental recommends rinsing your night guard in cool tap water after each use and keeping it in a protective case.

Call Livewell Dental to schedule a night guard consultation today, or click the online booking feature.

*Individual results may vary.