Best Hard Night Guards to Stop Teeth Grinding, Clenching, and TMJ

This is a review of the best hard night guards which you may need if you have severe teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or TMJ. In this article, we'll cover specifically custom-made night guards that you can order online — a perfect marriage of convenience, affordability, and quality.

There are also night guards you can buy over the counter, and those you can get from your dentist — both of which you can read more about in our complete night guard guide.

Keep reading to find out the best hard night guard for your needs.

Best hard night guards for teeth grinding

Sporting Smiles

Sporting Smiles offers a range of top-quality night guards to address different teeth-grinding needs. Let's take a closer look at the key features of each type:

Flexible Super Hard:

• The strongest teeth grinding mouthguard available
• Most durable for long-lasting use
• Offers flexibility for a comfortable fit

Flexible Hard Back Cut:

• Super strong and flexible mouth guard designed for teeth grinding
• Provides maximum durability
• Offers flexibility for a comfortable fit
• Ensures maximum comfort during use
• Less noticeable compared to other options

Soft Grinding Guard:

• Super comfortable mouth guard specifically for sleeping
• Made of 3mm soft EVA material for extreme comfort
• Ideal for individuals with heavy clenching
• Offers a very flexible fit for personalized comfort

Sporting Smiles' night guards combine durability, flexibility, and comfort to provide effective solutions for teeth grinding. Whether you need the strongest guard available, a flexible option with maximum comfort, or a soft and comfortable guard for sleep, Sporting Smiles has you covered.

Pro Teeth Guard

Get relief from heavy to severe teeth grinding with the Pro Teeth Guard Hard Night Guard. Crafted from firm and durable elasticized acrylic, this custom mouthguard provides essential protection for your teeth while alleviating jaw muscle aches and pains caused by grinding.

It's approximately 1.5mm thickness and special thermo-plastic material make fitting a breeze. Simply soften the material in warm water, rinse, and mold it to your teeth for a contoured, comfortable fit.

With its durability, this night guard can last between 2 to 5 years, adapting to the degree of teeth grinding. Say goodbye to discomfort and safeguard your smile with the Pro Teeth Guard Hard Night Guard.

Your purchase of the Pro Teeth Guard Hard Night Guard includes:

• An impression kit with instructions to take your teeth impression: They ensure a perfect fit by taking impressions of both your upper and lower teeth.
• All-inclusive shipping and handling: Enjoy the convenience of having your night guard delivered to your doorstep.
• One custom-made Pro Teeth Night Guard for teeth grinding: Experience the benefits of a tailored solution for your specific grinding needs.
• A ventilated, protective case for your custom night guard: Keep your night guard safe and hygienic when not in use.

Additionally, the Pro Teeth Guard Hard Night Guard offers the following features:

• Custom-made for a perfect fit and maximum comfort: Enjoy a night guard designed specifically for your teeth.
• 60-day money-back guarantee with free returns: Pro Teeth stand behind the quality of our product and offer a hassle-free return policy.
• Professional quality with a 1-year warranty: Rest assured knowing that you have a high-quality night guard backed by a warranty.
• HSA/FSA eligible, use your card at checkout: Make your purchase more convenient by using your HSA/FSA card for payment.

The Pro Teeth Guard Hard Night Guard costs just $209.99 — much less than you would pay at the dentist. Choose between options for adult males and females, as well as top or bottom guards, to ensure a personalized fit that meets your needs.

Smile Brilliant

SmileBrilliant night guards are another option we recommend. They're just 2 mm thick, ultra-durable, and designed for maximum comfort. These Smile Brilliant night guards are hard night guards, and they are ultra-durable, while at the same time being comfortable to wear.

Depending on the severity of your bruxism, you may customize your Smile Brilliant night guard package. Here are your choices:

Intro Package:

• Includes one ultra-durable hard night guard
• Designed to last up to three months
• Suitable for heavy grinders

Moderate Package:

• Includes two ultra-durable hard night guards
• Designed to last up to six months
• Ideal for heavy grinders

Deluxe Package:

• Includes four ultra-durable hard night guards
• Designed to last a year
• Specifically for heavy grinders

Each of these hard night guard packages includes the following:

• Custom-fit hard night guards: The hard night guards from Smile Brilliant are ultra-durable, ultra-thin, and comfortable to use while sleeping.
• Tray for impressions: You'll get special impression material to create molds of your upper or lower teeth.
• Impression materials: You’re being delivered two sets of impression material. If you don't get it right the first time, you'll have to use another set of impression materials to make your molds.
• Pre-paid three-way postage: There will be no charges for shipping to and from the lab!
• Professional dental lab services: Your night guards are hand-crafted at a dental laboratory in the US.

Different types of hard night guards

Depending on the brand you pick, you may be able to customize the fit of your night guard. The following are the various night guards for bruxism:

• One-size-fits-all: You may purchase over-the-counter mouth guards that are not custom-fitted. These are, undoubtedly, the most cost-effective solutions for the occasional teeth grinder.
• Boil and bite: To make your own impression, just boil it in water and bite into it. It's typically rather straightforward to do and is inexpensive.
• Order online: You may order nightguards from the comfort of your own home. You send your impression to the company you ordered from, and they give you a night guard that fits perfectly.
• Night guards made in the dental lab: Mouth guards are available from your dentist. They provide the best possible fit because they are made in a lab using your impression.

It's one thing to consider the many kinds of fitting types. There are, however, also a variety of materials and structures to choose from.

Dual laminate night guards

A dual laminate night guard is also a harder type of night guard. However, the interior of a dual lamination night guard is soft, while the exterior is firm, providing extra protection and durability. 

It's a good alternative if you’re looking for maximum wearing comfort, but your teeth grinding is more severe and you want your night guard to endure longer.

Hard acrylic night guard

Another option is the hard acrylic night guard, also known as a hard plastic night guard. The hard acrylic night guard is much more durable than the soft night guard and other types.

Acrylic is a transparent, rigid plastic substance. This type is designed for people who grind their teeth often or severely. However, the acrylic night guard is not the same as an acrylic bite splint.

The acrylic biting splint is recommended to a patient to alleviate TMJ problems, while a standard hard acrylic night guard can help protect your teeth from damage through teeth grinding and clenching.

Because the hard acrylic night guard is constructed of a stronger material, it's essential to acquire a custom night guard that fits you exactly. The night guard may simply not fit onto the patient's teeth if the impression is not perfect. Custom night guards are also necessary if you need a night guard for braces.

Hard night guard cost

Your dentist will almost certainly recommend a harder night guard as a treatment option if you've been diagnosed with bruxism or TMJ disorder.

So, how much does a hard night guard cost you?

The cost of a harder night guard can vary greatly. The amount you need to spend depends on the severity of your bruxism and where you’re buying it.

Custom night guards cost $120 to $180 from internet retailers, a night guard from a dentist costs $300 to $900, and an over-the-counter night guard costs $20 to $30.

The quality and fit, on the other hand, differ substantially. An inexpensive night guard will not suffice if you're a heavy tooth grinder. You'll have to invest some money to get a high-quality night guard.

Hard night guards pros and cons

Are harder night guards the right choice for you?

Harder night guards are almost always the better choice, while soft night guards are only recommended in certain circumstances. They enable the bottom teeth to slip around easily. Furthermore, the soft ones may aggravate bruxism since the jaws naturally prefer to chew soft items.

Hard night guards vs. soft night guards

When comparing hard night guards vs soft night guards, there are benefits and drawbacks on both sides.

Conclusion

You may still be unsure whether you should get soft or hard night guards. They both have some benefits and drawbacks. Unless you're just grinding once in a while, hard night guards are usually the best option.

If you grind your teeth a lot or usually wear a retainer, you should always pick a hard night guard that is as durable as possible.

If you're looking for a hard night guard that provides great comfort, while also giving you maximum durability because you grind your teeth a lot, we suggest Pro Teeth Night Guard.