Table of Content
How Much Does a Custom Night Guard Cost?
by Dylan Hao |
How Much Does a Night Guard Cost?
The quick, general answer to how much a night guard costs is anywhere between $25 and $1,000. Why such a big price gap?
The answer is that the cost of a night guard varies depending on factors like:
- Quality
- Customization
- Materials
- Whether insurance chips in at all
At the lower end of the price spectrum are over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards. These appliances are budget-friendly, usually ranging from $25 to $75.
On the higher side are professional night guards provided by your dentist. These customized splints can range from $300 to over $1,000, depending on how your dental provider bills. You may need to pay for every office visit for the impression, the fitting, and follow-up appointments, plus the cost of fabricating the guard itself.
Online custom night guards are a hybrid mix of affordability ($100-$300) and customization. Professional companies like us at JS Dental Lab offer several custom guard options at different price points, depending on the material and design:
- Premium 3D - $189
- Hard Shield For The Grinder - $159
- Hybrid Shield For The Grinder - $159
- Flex Armor For The Clencher - $149
- Soft - Sensitive Teeth Protection - $149
- Daytime “On the Go” Protection - $139
These options allow you to choose a professional-quality guard tailored to your needs without the high price tag of a dental office.
But price point isn’t the only important factor to consider when you invest in a night guard. Breaking down what goes into the cost determines whether a “cheap” night guard is actually a good deal.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Custom Night Guard?
You don’t necessarily have to pay top dollar for a high-quality oral appliance, but opting for the one-size-fits-all boil-and-bite versions means you forgo detailed customization. To get a night guard that fits comfortably over your teeth and best protects your oral health, a custom night guard is the ideal solution. Several key variables go into the price of these devices.
Provider Type
Where you buy your night guard has one of the biggest impacts on its cost. Professional-quality custom-fit night guards can be purchased from the dentist directly or ordered from an online lab.
Night guards from a dentist are typically the most expensive option because the price includes the:
- Dental visits
- Exam
- Impressions or digital scans
- Fabrication from a lab (which may be on-site or outsourced)
- Follow-up adjustments
While the main benefit is the helpful professional oversight, the markup can be more than you want to pay for a dental night guard.
Ordering from an online lab gives you custom night guards made from professional-grade material at a lower cost. You take your own impressions using a kit sent to your home, and the lab fabricates the guard using those impressions.
This easy process removes much of the overhead associated with a dentist’s office, but you still get the same high-quality product. When you order from professionals like JS Dental Lab, you’ll also get quick access to customer service if you have questions or concerns.
Materials and Construction
The type of material used to fabricate each type of night guard doesn’t just affect its cost; it also significantly impacts the appliance’s performance and level of protection.
As you shop for custom-made night guards, you’ll see three main levels of construction:
Soft Night Guards
Soft night guards are made from flexible materials that are best suited for mild or occasional grinders. If you’re worried about comfort and your teeth grinding is irritating but not overly concerning, a soft night guard is a good solution.
Hard Night Guards
Hard night guards are made from rigid acrylic to withstand even the most severe grinding. These guards can still be comfortable, but their design prioritizes durability.
Dual-Laminate Night Guards
An in-between option is the dual-laminate night guard. This design, made of a variety of thermoplastics for flexibility, comfort, and strength, combines a soft inner layer with a hard outer shell. The finished result is a perfect fit — comfortable enough for even sensitive wearers to sleep in, but strong enough to reduce clenching and relieve jaw pain.
Material quality affects longevity, too. Higher-end guards are more resistant to wear and provide a more precise fit, keeping your teeth protected while you sleep comfortably.
Thickness and Durability
Each night guard option has its own level of thickness, too. Thicker guards tend to last longer and work well for heavy grinders, but they’re bulkier, which can take some time to get used to as you wear them. On the other hand, thinner guards are easier to grind through if your bruxism is moderate to severe.
Severity of Grinding
No matter how well-made your night guard is, your grinding level plays the co-starring role in its durability. The goal is to find a custom guard that uses high-quality material and the right thickness for your type of bruxism.
Mild grinders can get away with lower-quality or soft night guards, while severe bruxism requires more durable material. Dual-laminate designs are the go-to for those who fall between these two ranges.
If you’re not sure about your grinding, talk to your dentist to see how it has affected your enamel and gums so far. Choosing a night guard that’s too soft for your needs can lead to faster wear, meaning you’ll replace it more often (and spend more over time).
Customization Levels
Customization influences price, as well. The two main categories of impressions are digital scans and physical molds.
Digital scans taken at a dentist’s office provide extremely precise measurements. But the equipment used and professional time spent increase the overall cost of your night guard treatment.
At-home impression kits offered by online labs can still provide a custom fit when done correctly. JS Dental Lab’s process includes easy-to-follow video and print instructions, making the steps simple for the best impression results.
Either way, you’ll need to decide whether you want an upper or lower night guard. Many bruxers opt to wear their appliance over the upper teeth, but factors such as comfort and dental restorations influence this decision.
Read On: Upper or Lower Night Guard? Which Is Better?
Warranty and Replacements
When you’re factoring in cost, be sure to include the warranties. Saving money in the long run on replacements goes a long way toward the night guard’s overall value.
Some companies have warranties that cover defects or provide free replacements within a specified period. For example, JS Dental Lab’s price includes warranty protection that can help reduce replacement costs if issues arise. Users get a discount on re-orders using the same impression.
Does Insurance Cover a Night Guard?
Dental insurance can cover night guards; it’s not unheard of. It is, however, rare and prone to fine-print details.
Typically, if night guards are covered, you’ll need an official diagnosis of bruxism or TMJ, and a dentist to prescribe the appliance. From there, you have limitations that affect your part of the cost, such as coverage caps, how often you can get it replaced, and maximum annual benefits.
Be sure to check the benefits and your portion of the cost with your insurance before buying. Even if insurance covers the device, it may end up being cheaper for you in the long run to use an online lab.
One more thing to consider: some professional companies, like JS Dental Lab, are eligible under FSA or HSA plans, making it more affordable to shop outside the dentist’s chair.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Night Guard?
Night guards, even the best-made versions, aren’t designed to be permanent. They’ll eventually need to be replaced, but the timeline for this changing of the (mouth) guards varies.
Most night guards last between 6 months and 5 years, depending on the material type, grinding severity, and your maintenance and cleaning habits. Professional guards typically last longer than OTC appliances because they’re made from higher-quality materials.
Among these professional options, soft guards tend to wear out faster because they’re designed for comfort rather than longevity. Hard acrylic and dual-laminate guards can last several years if you take good care of them.
The replacement cost of each depends on whether the guard can be repaired and if it’s covered by a warranty. For instance, if your guard cracks or doesn’t fit due to new dental work, such as a crown, a full replacement is in order. But if it’s a simple fix, it’s possible to repair it instead of getting a new one.
Is a More Expensive Night Guard Worth It?
In many cases, paying for a professional night guard versus an OTC version gives you the best value — and the best protection. But it isn’t always necessary.
Higher-quality night guards from a dentist’s office are a wise idea if you have complicated dental issues that require oversight, or if you have complex temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) that need to be professionally managed.
A less expensive option is sufficient for anyone with mild to moderate grinding or someone looking to try a night guard for the first time, but who isn’t sure what they want. When budget is a major factor, OTC night guards can be handy.
For those who fall somewhere in between, it’s possible to balance cost with long-term value by using online dental labs. Spending slightly more upfront on a durable, well-fitting guard can save money by reducing the need for replacements and preventing costly dental issues.
How to Save Money on Night Guards
If you want a professional night guard but reducing costs is a must, here are a few tips to get the best oral appliance possible without sacrificing quality:
- Review online dental labs to shop for custom guards at lower prices.
- Check your FSA or HSA funds to see what you have available.
- Choose the material that matches your grinding severity to get a longer-lasting product and avoid replacement costs.
- Shop for providers like JS Dental Lab who offer warranties, satisfaction guarantees, and discounts on replacements.
Once you buy your night guard, keep it in good shape by maintaining and cleaning it regularly. Proper upkeep and storage make a significant difference in how long your night guard lasts.
Conclusion
There’s a wide range of prices that show up when you shop for night guards, but understanding what these costs include helps you make the best investment for your oral health needs.
If you’re looking to strike a strong balance between comfort, durability, and affordability, visit JS Dental Lab today. Your next night guard purchase is your investment in your future dental health.
