Night Guards in La Jolla, CA

Grinding your teeth at night, known as bruxism, is a common issue that affects many adults. Even though the most obvious indicator is the deterioration of the enamel of the teeth, nocturnal bruxism may also lead to tooth pain, headaches, and inflammation, as well as discomfort in your neck and jaw. To protect your mouth from the effects of bruxism, cosmetic dentist Dr. Paul Dougherty offers customized night guards. Custom night guards are created with high-grade materials to fit comfortably in your mouth and improve your sleep quality by reducing teeth grinding and jaw clenching. For more information about custom night guards at Dougherty Dental, set up an appointment at our La Jolla, CA facility.

A number of symptoms may indicate that you are grinding your teeth and/or clenching your jaw while you sleep. You might wake up in the morning with a headache, tightness or pain in your jaw, and/or facial swelling. Other symptoms are loosened fillings or teeth, worn down enamel on your molars, tooth sensitivity, and a receding gumline. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching at night are sometimes caused by stress, but it may also be the result of allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). As Dr. Dougherty makes your bruxism diagnosis, he will try to find out the cause of your issue so your night guard therapy can be combined with another treatment for the best possible outcomes.

After Dr. Dougherty diagnoses your bruxism, he will take oral impressions and digital x-rays so your custom night guard can be created. Dougherty Dental will send your specifications to a special dental laboratory where your night guard will be created with the best materials to fit your mouth. When your night guard is sent back to our office, you can return for a fitting. Dr. Dougherty might make minor adjustments so that your night guard fits properly and comfortably in your mouth. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your night guard so that it lasts for a long time.

For maximum efficiency, you need to make sure you wear your custom night guard every night while you sleep. Your night guard should relieve the pain and dental issues created by bruxism, but if it doesn't, please call our office so Dr. Dougherty can look for additional issues and try other treatment options. To help keep your night guard in the best condition, you should properly clean and care for your night guard before and after each use. You should also bring your night guard to all future appointments, exams, and cleanings at Dougherty Dental so Dr. Dougherty can repair and adjust it as needed.

If you have been diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism or jaw clenching, some of the cost of your night guard will likely be paid by your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance, someone in our administrative office can contact your insurance carrier to obtain your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs. During your preliminary appointment, Dr. Dougherty can discuss information about our multiple accepted payment methods and help you to qualify for medical financing.

Grinding your teeth can lead to pain and discomfort in a number of ways. Night guards are a great option to diminish the sleepless nights created by the annoying symptoms of nocturnal bruxism and jaw clenching. Custom night guards from Dougherty Dental can also advance your overall oral health and avoid future dental complications, like cracked molars. If you think night guards may be the solution you seek or you want to learn more, call our office in La Jolla, CA today to book a consultation with cosmetic dentist Dr. Paul Dougherty.