Occlusal Guards and Sports Mouthguards in South Barrington, IL

Types of Guards We Make

Night Guards (Occlusal Guards) for Bruxism

Custom-fit hard acrylic or dual-laminate guards worn at night to protect teeth from grinding and clenching forces. Designed to evenly distribute bite pressure, protect enamel, reduce muscle tension, and ease TMJ discomfort.

Sports Mouthguards

Custom-fit guards for athletes in contact sports (football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, martial arts, boxing). Significantly better protection and comfort than boil-and-bite options.

Snore Guards

Specialized mandibular advancement devices that hold the jaw slightly forward to reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea. Available on request after consultation.

Benefits of Custom Guards

Better fit than drugstore options. A custom guard fits only your teeth. Boil-and-bite options are approximations at best.

Better protection. Custom guards use stronger materials and precise fit to distribute force more evenly.

Better comfort. Patients who could not tolerate boil-and-bite guards often find custom guards easy to wear overnight.

Longer life. Well-made custom guards last 3-10 years depending on grinding intensity.

Prevent expensive damage. A $400-$600 guard can prevent thousands of dollars in cracked teeth, worn enamel, and broken restorations.

Ease associated symptoms. Many patients notice reduction in morning jaw soreness, tension headaches, and facial muscle fatigue.

The Process Step by Step

Step 1: Consultation. Dr. Allison Bartley evaluates your teeth for signs of wear, discusses symptoms, and checks your bite.

Step 2: Digital Impression. Our 3D scanner captures a 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes. No messy impression material.

Step 3: Fabrication. The digital scan is sent to a lab where your guard is precision-made from hard acrylic or dual-laminate material.

Step 4: Delivery and Fitting. Usually 1-2 weeks after scanning. We adjust the fit, check your bite, and make sure everything feels right.

Step 5: Follow-Up. A check-in after a few weeks confirms the guard is working well and comfortable.

Timeline

• Initial consultation and scan: 30-45 minutes
• Fabrication turnaround: 1-2 weeks
• Delivery appointment: 20-30 minutes
• Adjustment period: Most patients adapt within 1-2 weeks of nightly wear

Cost Factors

Custom occlusal guards and sports mouthguards typically cost in the range of $400-$600. Dental insurance coverage varies:

• Night guards: Some PPO plans cover a portion when prescribed for bruxism, others do not cover guards at all.
• Sports mouthguards: Less commonly covered by dental insurance but may be covered by medical insurance in some school athletic programs.

We verify benefits before fabrication. See our finance and insurance page for financing options if coverage is limited.

Risks and Limitations

Adjustment period. Some patients need 1-2 weeks to adapt to wearing a guard at night.

Minor jaw soreness initially. This usually resolves as jaw muscles adapt.

Occlusal changes. Rarely, long-term wear can cause subtle bite changes. Regular checkups catch this early.

Not a permanent solution for TMJ. Guards help manage symptoms but do not cure underlying TMJ disorders.

Requires replacement. Hard acrylic guards last 3-10 years depending on grinding intensity. Heavy grinders may need replacement sooner.

Who Is a Good Candidate

Night guards are appropriate for: - Patients with visible tooth wear from grinding - Patients whose partners notice grinding at night - Patients with morning jaw soreness, headaches, or tension - Patients who have cracked teeth or restorations from grinding - Patients with TMJ disorders

Sports mouthguards are appropriate for: - Youth and adult athletes in contact or collision sports - Athletes currently using boil-and-bite guards who want better protection - Patients with prior dental trauma in sports

Who Is NOT a Good Candidate

Patients with severe TMJ disorders may need more comprehensive treatment than a simple night guard. Patients with significant ongoing restorative work may want to complete that work before finalizing a guard.

Comparison: Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Guards

• Custom guard: Precise fit, better materials, longer lifespan, better comfort, higher cost, more protective
• Boil-and-bite: Approximate fit, weaker materials, shorter lifespan, lower cost, less protective

For patients with active grinding or meaningful athletic risk, custom is worth the investment. The savings in prevented damage usually exceed the cost difference.

Alternatives

For bruxism, alternatives include behavioral approaches (stress management, jaw relaxation techniques), Botox for masseter muscle relaxation, and (for severe cases) more comprehensive TMJ therapy. For sports protection, helmets with built-in mouthguards are sometimes an option for certain sports.