So you need a night guard for teeth grinding, TMJ, or teeth clenching. You'll want to know the average night guard cost and which mouth guards offer the best quality for the price.
In this article, we'll take a look at:
- Dental night guard costs
- Custom mouth guard costs
- Over-the-counter occlusal guard costs
- Where to buy a night guard
We hope this information helps you find the best mouth guard for your budget and oral health needs.
And if you'd like a quick glance at night guard prices, here's a table summarizing the costs:
Type | Fit | Price | Where to buy |
From the dentist | Perfect | $200 - $1,000 | From your dentist |
Smile Brilliant - Custom-made | Perfect | $129 - $179 | |
Sporting Smiles - Custom-made | Perfect | $75 - $95 | |
Adjustable | Slight customization | ~$20 | |
Bite and boil | Slight customization | ~$25 | |
One-size-fits-all | Isn't made to fit your specific mouth | ~$10 |
Table of contents
What is a mouth guard?
A night guard, a nighttime mouth guard, is a dental device usually made from plastic that fits over your teeth, preventing your top teeth and bottom teeth from grinding or clenching. Some people may need to wear mouth guards during the day, but they are typically worn at night when many people grind their teeth in their sleep.
Symptoms that you grind your teeth at night include morning headaches, jaw pain, jaw stiffness, earaches, and sleep disruption.
If you suspect that you grind your teeth at night, you should speak with your dentist about using a mouthguard. Over time, teeth grinding can lead to enamel and tooth damage, making your teeth more sensitive and at risk for decay.
Night guard cost
Mouth guard costs will depend on the type of guard you get, and from where you purchase it. If you purchase your night guard from your dentist, the cost of your night guard will be more expensive. If you opt for a one-size-fits-all guard that you can buy online, you will spend very little on your occlusal guards price.
There are also custom-made nightguards that can be ordered online, and the price for these will fall somewhere inbetween.
Let's have a look at the specifics of dental mouth guard costs.
Cost of a night guard from the dentist
You can purchase a night guard directly from your dentist. You will begin with an in-office consultation with your dentist. They will then take impressions of your teeth, then send for a mouthguard, usually made from thermoplastic material, to be crafted in a dental lab.
These dentist-ordered guards can be adjusted for thickness based on the severity of your grinding or clenching. You may want to consider this option if you've already consulted with your dentist about your tooth grinding habits, or if your case is particularly severe and requires close, professional supervision.
Because you are paying for the night guard and for the services of your dentist, this is the most expensive option. The cost of a mouthguard from the dentist is anywhere from $200 to $1,000. However, the average cost is somewhere between $300 and $500.
The good news with this type of night guard is that your dental insurance plan will likely include coverage for night guards, as long as your dentist deems it medically necessary.
Custom mouth guard cost
Custom-made mail-order night guards cost less than the night guards you would get from your dentist. In many cases, they are an equally good solution for protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching.
If you want a custom mouthguard, you first order an impression kit online and then make your impressions at home. You'll then send your impression to a dental lab where technicians will custom make your guards.
The labs that these companies use to make your night guards are the exact same labs that dentists use, so you know you're getting a professional-quality product.
Once you receive your mouth guards in the mail, you can begin wearing them. When you need new ones, you can reorder them without having to make impressions again because the company usually keeps your information on file for your convenience.
The cost of these online, custom-made guards can range from $75 to $200 on average, depending on the brand and the level of protection you need.
There are two brands of custom-made nightguards that top our lists: Smile Brilliant and Sporting Smiles. Let's take a closer look at how much they cost:
Smile Brilliant
These night guards are custom-made in the United States. They are just 2mm thick and free of latex and BPA.
With Smile Brilliant, you can customize your night guard package based on your needs:
- Deluxe Package: 4 ultra-durable night guards for $179
- Moderate Package: 2 ultra-durable night guards for $159
- Intro package: 1 ultra-durable night guard for $129
Sporting Smiles
Sporting Smiles offers a variety of custom night guards based on your needs and budget:
- Flexible super hard: The strongest they offer for $90
- Flexible hard back cut: Trimmed for comfort, costs $95
- Dual laminate guard: Soft inner and hard exterior, $85
- Dual laminate back cut: Less noticeable for $90
- Soft grinding guard: Most comfortable, $80
- Hard grinding guard: Good for moderate clenching, $75
Over-the-counter night guard price
These will be the cheapest night guards. While they may work for some people, many will find them to be too uncomfortable to wear throughout the night.
Adjustable night guards
Adjustable night guards are made from plastic that softens when placed in warm water. Once they are malleable, you place them in your mouth and bite down on them so they line up with your bite. You can adjust them as needed by sticking them in warm water again.
The adjustable mouth guard price generally hovers around $20, like this one from Bright Guard on Amazon.
Boil-and-bite night guards
Boil-and-bite night guards are placed in boiling water. You then bite down on them until the plastic has cooled so that it fits around your teeth. These typically can't be readjusted.
Boil-and-bite guards cost $20 to $30 on average, like this one from Serenity.
One-size-fits-all
This is the cheapest mouthguard that you can get over-the-counter or online. They aren't made to fit your mouth, which could potentially cause more damage to your teeth, including shifting and night guard pain.
That being said, there is a very small percentage of people for whom this mouthguard might work.
You can buy these at pharmacies and online on Amazon, like this one by Eirsty — a pack of 4 costs just $7.99 — but again, use it at your own risk.
Conclusion
If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws while you sleep, or even during the day, you should talk to your dentist about using a night guard. Night guards protect your teeth from enamel loss, which can cause pain, sensitivity, and decay.
Mouth guard prices range anywhere from $5 to $1,000. Within that range, there's a huge difference in quality, comfort, and efficacy as well. The cheapest mouth guards are one-size-fits-all options that you can buy online, and the most expensive options are those that you get directly from your dentist.
When choosing your mouthguard, keep in mind that by saving money now on one-size-fits-all options you may end up spending a lot more later on tooth repair.
FAQs
How much is a night guard from the dentist?
A night guard from the dentist can cost from $200 to $1,000, although most tend to cost between $300 and $500. This is the most expensive option because you're paying for the dentist's services.
How much does a mouth guard for teeth grinding cost?
A mouth guard for teeth grinding can cost under $10 for the cheapest options and up to $1,000 at your dentist's office. You can also get high-quality, custom-made guards online starting at $75.
How much does a night guard for TMJ cost?
A night guard for TMJ will typically cost between $300 and $500 from your dentist. If you have a particularly severe case, it could cost you more. There are other options as well that cost less. These include custom-made guards that you purchase online (which are high-quality, comfortable, and safe), or one-size-fits-all guards (although these aren't recommended).
