Teeth grinding (bruxism) generates forces of 250 pounds or more per clench — enough to crack teeth, destroy restorations, and cause chronic jaw pain and headaches. A custom night guard is a precision-fitted oral appliance that absorbs and distributes those forces, protecting your teeth, existing dental work, and jaw joints while you sleep. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we offer custom-fabricated night guards in hard acrylic, soft, and dual-laminate options — fitted with sedation available for patients who experience dental anxiety.
Bruxism is the involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth, most commonly occurring during sleep. It affects up to 15% of the population and many people don't realize they do it until significant damage has already occurred. Without intervention, chronic bruxism wears down tooth enamel — sometimes grinding teeth to flat, shortened stubs. It cracks and chips teeth, destroys fillings, crowns, and other restorations, and causes temporomandibular joint problems that lead to chronic jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty opening the mouth.
Because nocturnal bruxism happens during sleep, most people are unaware they grind until a partner mentions hearing the sounds or a dentist notices the telltale wear patterns on their teeth. Daytime clenching is more common than people realize and can be equally damaging over time. The cumulative effects of bruxism are progressive — the longer it goes unaddressed, the more damage accumulates and the more expensive the repairs become.
Sedation Options for Your Comfort
Do You Experience Any of These Signs?
High stress and anxiety levels are among the most common triggers — teeth grinding often intensifies during stressful periods at work or in personal life. Sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome are frequently associated with nocturnal bruxism. Bite misalignment can trigger grinding as your jaw unconsciously tries to find a comfortable resting position. Certain medications, particularly stimulants and some antidepressants, can increase grinding as a side effect.
Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco — especially close to bedtime — can contribute to bruxism. Bruxism also runs in families, suggesting a hereditary component. While addressing root causes like stress management, sleep hygiene, and bite correction is important for long-term treatment, a custom night guard provides immediate protection against further damage while you work on prevention strategies.
A custom night guard is fabricated from exact impressions of your teeth, creating a restoration that fits your dental anatomy precisely. This precision fit means the guard is comfortable enough that you'll actually wear it every night — which is the most important factor in protection. Store-bought guards use a generic shape or boil-and-bite process that produces a bulky, poorly fitting appliance most people stop wearing within weeks. Custom guards also position your jaw in a therapeutically optimal position, which can reduce jaw pain and headaches.
Professional night guards use medical-grade acrylic and thermoplastic materials that are durable, biocompatible, and resistant to the extreme forces of bruxism. A custom hard acrylic guard typically lasts five to ten years. Store-bought guards use softer materials that wear through quickly, often lasting only a few months, and some can actually encourage more clenching because the soft material triggers a chewing reflex. Over their lifespan, custom guards are significantly more cost-effective.
Three Types of Custom Night Guards
We examine your teeth for signs of grinding damage, assess your jaw joint function, and discuss your symptoms. We determine the best type of guard for your specific grinding pattern and severity.
Under your chosen sedation if needed, we take detailed impressions of your upper and lower teeth along with a bite registration. These records capture your exact dental anatomy for a precision fit.
Your impressions are sent to our dental laboratory where your night guard is custom-fabricated from medical-grade materials. The guard is built to your exact specifications over one to two weeks.
At your second appointment, we fit the guard, verify comfort and bite alignment, and make any adjustments needed. We provide detailed care and wearing instructions. You leave with your custom guard ready to use that night.
It takes a few nights to adjust to wearing a night guard. Initially, you may notice increased saliva production, a slight sensation of pressure on your teeth, and the unusual feeling of having something in your mouth while sleeping. These sensations are completely normal and typically resolve within three to seven nights. Most patients report they stop noticing the guard entirely within the first week.
If your guard feels painful (not just unfamiliar), causes sore spots on your gums, or feels like it's shifting your teeth, contact us for an adjustment. A properly fitted guard should feel snug and secure without causing pain. We offer complimentary adjustments during the first month to ensure your guard fits perfectly.
Rinse your guard with cool water after each use — never hot water, which can warp the material. Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap. Allow it to air-dry completely before storing it in its ventilated case. Never leave it in direct sunlight, a hot car, or near a heat source. Keep it away from pets — dogs are particularly attracted to night guards and will chew them.
Bring your guard to every dental appointment so we can inspect it for wear, check the fit, and clean it professionally. A guard that shows significant wear patterns is still doing its job — it's absorbing force that would otherwise damage your teeth. We'll let you know when it's time for a replacement based on wear progression.
Hard acrylic guards typically last five to ten years, soft guards one to three years, and dual-laminate guards three to five years. Replace your guard when you notice holes or significant thinning, cracks or fractures in the material, a loose fit that no longer feels snug, visible changes in shape, or if your dental situation changes (new crowns, extractions, orthodontic treatment). A worn-out guard provides reduced protection and may allow harmful jaw positioning.
Patients who consistently wear their night guard report significant improvements beyond just tooth protection. Morning headaches often reduce dramatically or disappear entirely within the first few weeks. Jaw pain and tension decrease as the muscles are prevented from clenching at full force. Sleep quality improves — both for the grinder and for their partner, who no longer hears grinding sounds. Some patients notice reduced neck and shoulder tension as the jaw muscle relaxation cascades to connected muscle groups. Over time, the guard can help retrain your jaw muscles to rest in a more relaxed position.
Transparent Night Guard Pricing
Most dental insurance plans cover 50–80% of the cost of custom night guards.
We provide direct billing to major insurers and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients.
Complimentary adjustments are included during the first month.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
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