Bruxism Night Guards in Seattle, WA

Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of your teeth, often while you sleep. Over time, bruxism can contribute to tooth wear, sensitivity, jaw discomfort, headaches, and damage to teeth or existing dental restorations.

Common signs of nighttime teeth grinding include waking with jaw soreness or tightness, morning headaches, sensitive or worn teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, facial muscle soreness, and jaw-joint clicking or discomfort. Some people grind their teeth without realizing it until a dentist notices signs of wear.

A custom night guard can create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the effects of grinding and clenching. It can protect teeth from excessive wear and may also help reduce strain associated with nighttime clenching.

A custom night guard, also called an occlusal guard, is a professionally made oral appliance designed specifically for your teeth and bite. At Moritis & Shin Dentistry, impressions or digital scans can be used to create a night guard with a precise, comfortable fit.

Custom night guards are designed specifically for your mouth and bite, while over-the-counter guards come in standardized shapes and sizes. A professionally fitted appliance can provide a more precise fit and allow your team at Moritis & Shin Dentistry to evaluate your teeth, bite, and symptoms when determining whether a night guard is appropriate.

A night guard may help reduce the effects of nighttime grinding and clenching that contribute to jaw muscle strain. At your appointment, Dr. Shin can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether a custom night guard is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.

Yes. Repeated clenching and grinding can place strain on the muscles involved in chewing and may contribute to morning headaches or facial discomfort. If you regularly wake with headaches or jaw soreness, a dental evaluation can help determine whether bruxism may be contributing.

Yes. Significant grinding and clenching can contribute to wear or damage involving teeth and dental restorations. A custom night guard from Dr. Shin may help protect your natural teeth as well as existing dental work from excessive forces during sleep.

First, Dr. Shin evaluates your teeth, bite, jaw, and symptoms to determine whether a night guard is appropriate. Our Seattle dental team then takes impressions or digital scans, has the appliance custom fabricated, and will check its fit when you receive it from Moritis & Shin Dentistry.

The timeline depends on the type of appliance and fabrication process. After your evaluation and impressions or digital scan, Moritis & Shin Dentistry will let you know when your custom night guard is ready for fitting and any necessary adjustments.

Your dental team at Moritis & Shin Dentistry will provide specific instructions for cleaning and storing your appliance. In general, keeping your night guard clean, allowing it to dry properly, and storing it safely when not in use can help maintain its condition and hygiene.

Moritis & Shin Dentistry provides custom night guards for patients experiencing teeth grinding and clenching in downtown Seattle. If you wake with jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or other signs of bruxism, contact us to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Shin.