What’s an occlusal guard?

By Dr. Sheila Strock on June 10, 2022 in General oral health

The time period “occlusal” refers back to the surfaces of your enamel which can be used for chewing. If you end up damaging these surfaces by clenching or grinding your enamel, an occlusal guard could also be beneficial by your dentist. 

Additionally known as a nightguard, chunk guard, or chunk splint, an occlusal guard is a detachable equipment that matches over your higher or decrease enamel. It helps forestall harm to your enamel that may be attributable to grinding and clenching, a damaging oral behavior often known as bruxism.¹

Whereas occlusal guards don’t essentially cease you from grinding or clenching, they do assist shield the tooth surfaces from harm attributable to these actions. Occlusal guards also can assist alleviate the signs related to bruxism together with jaw ache, head and neck muscle ache, tooth put on and fracture, tooth sensitivity, and complications.

Occlusal guards are comparable in look to sports activities mouthguards however are sometimes much less cumbersome and are manufactured from smoother, thinner plastic.² They are often custom-made by your dentist to suit your mouth precisely, purchased at a neighborhood drugstore ready-made (boil-and-bite or microwaveable), or bought on-line. 

Do you want an occlusal guard or nightguard?

It’s possible you’ll be questioning for those who’re in want of an occlusal guard or nightguard. Whereas occasional enamel grinding or clenching shouldn’t be a serious reason for concern, constant, long-term bruxism can result in ache, damaged enamel, lack of tooth enamel, and in extreme instances – lack of enamel themselves. For these people who expertise reasonable to extreme bruxing, an occlusal guard might vastly profit oral well being. 

Bruxism is a reasonably frequent downside. It’s estimated that about 10 p.c of adults and as many as 15 p.c of kids are affected.³ This grinding and clenching sometimes happens at evening, however might also be a daytime behavior, and most of the people are unaware they’ve the issue. Until your sleep accomplice complains in regards to the noise, your dentist is often the primary to acknowledge the harm to your enamel and lift concern. 

 Some signs that will point out the necessity for an occlusal guard embody:⁴

o   Tooth clenching and grinding

o   Jaw ache or stiffness

o   Fractured or worn-down enamel and dental restorations

o   Free enamel

o   Temperature-sensitive enamel

o   Complications, earaches, toothaches within the morning

o   Facial ache

o   Disrupted sleep

o   Sleep accomplice complains in regards to the noise

 Sorts of occlusal nightguards⁵

There are three frequent varieties of occlusal guards used to restrict the consequences of bruxism. You probably have any questions on which kind is the most effective for you, then we advocate talking together with your dentist who will be capable of advise. 

1. Delicate nightguard – Used to alleviate signs for gentle instances of bruxism. They match comfortably and are often simple to get used to sporting.

 2. Twin laminate nightguards – Designed for reasonable to extreme enamel grinders. They’ve a tender, comfy, internal floor and a tough, sturdy outer floor. 

 3. Exhausting nightguards – Used for very extreme instances of bruxism. They’re created from acrylic, are extraordinarily sturdy and long-lasting, and can have to be custom-fit by a dentist. 

Different issues to find out about occlusal guards⁶

Your occlusal guard is meant to make your mouth really feel extra comfy. If it doesn’t, then it’s possible you’ll not have the appropriate match. Your occlusal guard might have to be adjusted after placement, and, if it feels uncomfortable in any approach or for those who expertise any ache, then it is best to let your dentist know. They’ll be capable of assist. 

Most occlusal guards are worn at evening solely, however those that grind or clench their enamel in the course of the day might also profit from daytime put on. If esthetics are a priority, your dentist could make a {custom} guard for daytime use that’s considerably much less seen from the entrance – however might also be much less sturdy than these worn at evening. 

This can be very vital to wash your occlusal guard earlier than and after every put on as they’re vulnerable to colonization by micro organism or different microorganisms⁷. Inadequate care can result in better oral well being issues or the unfold of different illnesses. 

Remaining ideas

Occlusal guards gained’t cease you from clenching or grinding, however they could be a very efficient option to shield your enamel in the course of the day or evening for those who undergo from these unconscious damaging oral habits. In the event you do resolve to get an occlusal guard, the kind you select will depend upon the severity of your particular person situation, as effectively your consolation wants and monetary limitations. 

You probably have any questions on whether or not you want an occlusal guard, we advocate seeing your dentist for an analysis. She or he will be capable of diagnose any bruxing harm and assist information you thru remedy choices. 

¹ Tooth Grinding. (n.d.). Retrieved August 14, 2020, from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/teeth-grinding

² MJ;, G. (n.d.). Occlusal lodging and mouthguards for prevention of orofacial trauma. Retrieved August 14, 2020, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19408816/

³ ASA Authors & Reviewers Sleep Doctor at American Sleep Affiliation Reviewers and Writers Board-certified sleep M.D. physicians. (n.d.). Bruxism – Tooth Grinding Signs, Therapy & Causes. Retrieved September 09, 2020, from https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-disorders/more-sleep-disorders/bruxism/

⁴ (n.d.). Retrieved August 14, 2020, from https://www.nhs.uk/situations/teeth-grinding/

⁵ ASA Authors & Reviewers Sleep Doctor at American Sleep Affiliation Reviewers and Writers Board-certified sleep M.D. physicians. (n.d.). Night time Guard for Bruxism: Tooth Grinding and Clenching. Retrieved August 14, 2020, from https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-treatments/night-guard/

⁶ Lal, S. (2020, February 06). Bruxism Administration. Retrieved August 14, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482466/

⁷ Cleveland Clinic. “Mouthguards Info & Extra.” Cleveland Clinic, 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/well being/articles/10910-mouthguards?_ga=2.201488917.569986366.1590773216-787185363.1590773216.