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NTI Night Guard: Cost, Problems, and Side Effects of the NTI-tss

Simon Frers
Contributor:
Simon Frers
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Can an NTI night guard help stop teeth grinding? In this NTI night guard review, we'll try to give you the best possible answer.

Grinding and clenching teeth (known as bruxism) may be caused by stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, snoring, high alcohol intake, smoking, and some antidepressant medicines. It's usually not a big deal when it occurs once in a while. If, on the other hand, grinding or clenching becomes a habit, precautions must be taken to safeguard the teeth.

Whether it happens when you're awake or sleeping, it puts your dental health at risk, aggravates the temporomandibular joint in your jaw, and raises your chances of getting headaches, ear and jaw discomfort, and sleep problems.

Is it possible that an NTI night guard might help you control your bruxism?

Also, consider reading our comprehensive guide to dental night guards to find out what are the best products to stop teeth grinding.

Before we go any further, if you need help obtaining night guards in your region right now, contact 866-383-0748. You'll be connected to an operator who will match your needs to a dental expert in your area, 24/7.

Otherwise, let's get started!

What is an NTI night guard?

The NTI-tss (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Tension Suppression System) is an FDA-approved device for the treatment of bruxism, TMJ disorders, and medically-diagnosed migraines.

The NTI night guard is usually made of acrylic or resin. It is worn over only the central incisors (front teeth) while you sleep, unlike standard mouth guards that cover all of your teeth.

NTI night guard models

The NTI night guard is available in a range of different shapes and sizes to fit a variety of needs. To learn more about what NTI night guard models are available and what requirements they meet, go to nationaldentex.com. According to National Dentex Labs, you have the following four models:

  • NTI-tss Plus™
  • NTI-tss Plus™ Soft
  • NTI-tss Plus™ Daytime
  • NTI-tss Plus™ Universal Therapy Set

How does the NTI night guard work?

The NTI night guard is designed to fit over the front teeth, preventing them from contacting the lower teeth. This decreases muscular tension, which is a common source of TMJ or bruxism.

Is the NTI night guard good for stopping teeth grinding or is a standard night guard better?

If you clench your jaw while wearing the device, you'll hit the NTI night guard, which will make your jaw naturally relax and stop you from grinding your teeth.

The NTI night guard, like other treatments, has benefits and drawbacks. Knowledge about the NTI night guard, awareness of your symptoms, and open discussion with an oral health specialist are the best ways to determine whether it is good for you.

Find a dentist available now for night guards near you.

Click here to get connected or call 866-383-0748 (toll-free, 24/7)

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Benefits of the NTI night guard

According to certain dentists, the NTI night guard is the preferred option for treating bruxism, migraines, and TMJ. Although the device only covers the front teeth, its position in the mouth maintains the jaw open and keeps the back teeth apart. It may help to minimize enamel wear and tear right away.

The NTI-tss is the smallest dental night guard on the market.

Patients have appreciated the NTI night guard for being compact and comfortable to wear over just two teeth, in comparison to most other night guards that cover a row of teeth.

It delivers quick relief.

The NTI night guard enables the jaw joint to rest and the muscles to relax by creating a barrier between the teeth, offering practically instant relief from facial discomfort and headaches.

It can aid in the cessation of teeth grinding.

Furthermore, some specialists consider that wearing the NTI dental device may be used as a kind of behavior modification treatment. The device encourages the muscles to stop clenching by repeatedly disrupting the user's unconscious attempts to bite down. This might eventually help you stop the habit of grinding your teeth.

NTI night guard problems and side effects

Although the NTI night guard provides significant comfort for patients, some dentists are reluctant to recommend it. While the device seems to be appealing, there are concerns regarding its long-term and short-term usefulness. According to critics, the NTI mouthguard has certain unfavorable side effects and disadvantages:

Patients must have healthy teeth to be eligible.

Not everyone is a good fit for the NTI night guard. It cannot be used safely by patients who have damage to their front teeth, an atypical bite, or teeth that are loose, worn, or weakened by severe periodontal disease. The NTI night guard is also not suitable for people with degenerative arthritis or misplaced disks in the jaw joint.

It might be a choking hazard.

While the device's tiny size is advantageous for comfort, it may also be a choking danger. During sleep, the tongue might unintentionally dislodge the device.

Information from an approved FDA database reveals that the size of the device is less than recommended by the Consumer Products Safety Commission Guidelines and as such could be a choking hazard.

bruxism.org.uk

The user's bite might be affected by the NTI night guard.

When patients use the NTI night guard for long periods of time, the surrounding teeth may move. The person's bite may change to an open bite as a result of this.

Another hazard reported with bite shifting and TMJ disc slipping to the extent that the front teeth are no longer able to touch.

bruxism.org.uk

For safe usage, a dentist's supervision is necessary.

Because the NTI night guard might affect a person's bite, it must be adjusted and checked by a dentist on a frequent basis. When used improperly, it may increase bruxism and cause tooth damage. The cost of using an NTI night guard is increased by the demand for regular professional oversight.

Summary of the NTI night guard pros and cons


Pros


Cons

  • Small device and very compact

  • Quick and effective relief

  • It might be useful in behavior modification to eventually stop grinding and clenching.

  • It might change a person’s bite

  • Requires frequent oversight by a dentist

  • May be a choking hazard

  • expensive

Where to buy NTI night guards

Only an oral health specialist can provide you with NTI night guards, as these are no over-the-counter products. However, you can buy standard night guards from DenTek or Cheeky. Call 866-383-0748 to connect with a dentist near you.

NTI night guard reviews

Because these sorts of night guards aren't accessible for purchase online, you won't find any NTI night guard reviews on Amazon or elsewhere. Since they must be specially fitted and monitored by a dental professional on a regular basis, they are only accessible to dentistry specialists.

NTI vs. Night Guard

You may still be unsure of what the difference is between an NTI and a traditional night guard.

The NTI and the classic night guard are both acrylic and hard plastic devices. They're also both used to keep your upper and lower teeth apart to avoid teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

There are, though, some distinct differences:

NTI-tss

An NTI is a little device that covers just the front teeth. The NTI device differs from a night guard in that it aims to teach your muscles to relax. When you sleep, the NTI prevents your teeth from touching, making it difficult for you to clench your teeth. You may modify your bruxism behaviors by training your muscles to relax. However, there are also several risks to wearing an NTI night guard, which we mentioned earlier.

NTI vs. standard night guard: Which one is the better and safer option?

Standard night guard

A night guard is a mouthpiece that covers your teeth completely to prevent them from the wear and tear of grinding and clenching. They may be constructed to cover either your upper or lower arch; your dentist will advise you on which is ideal for you. They don't stop you from grinding and clenching your teeth, but they do provide a layer of protection to keep your enamel from wearing away.

Unlike the NTI-tss, which may move your teeth, standard night guards that completely cover your teeth can also act as retainers and keep your teeth from moving.

Alternative treatments to the NTI night guard

You can make a smart decision by comparing the NTI night guard to other treatment options.

Because stress is a major cause of teeth grinding, many patients find that including stress-management practices like massage, exercise, or meditation and hypnosis into their daily routine helps them to stop grinding their teeth.

Standard night guards are also an efficient way to protect your teeth from wear and tear without changing your bite.

They're not like the NTI night guard in that they cover the full arch instead of just the top front teeth. These guards may be custom-fitted for added comfort, and they don't need as much supervision from your dentist, making them a more cost-effective treatment choice.

Since there are some risks associated with using an NTI guard, we recommend going with a traditional dental night guard. The product we recommend is the SmileBrilliant Night Guard. However, you should always seek advice from an oral health expert.

If you decide to go with the standard night guard, simply click the button below.

Comparison: NTI vs SmileBrilliant

NTI Night Guard

SmileBrilliant Night Guards

  • Small device and very compact

  • May be used as a kind of behavior modification treatment

  • It may have some unfavorable side effects such as bite changes

  • More expensive because it requires frequent oversight by a dentist

  • Choking hazard

  • Prescription product: not available for purchase online

  • Can be ordered online

  • Easy molding process with instructions

  • Hand-crafted by dental lab technicians

  • Travel case included

  • 45-day trial

  • 100% money-back guarantee

Conclusion

Bruxism is an uncomfortable condition. Don't wait for your tension headaches, jaw discomfort, broken teeth, or disrupted sleep to get worse if you think you're grinding your teeth. Consult your dentist to determine the best course of action and if NTI therapy is good for you, or if you should go with a traditional night guard that covers all your teeth.

If your dentist suggests you go with night guards, try SmileBrilliant night guards.

FAQ

How much does an NTI night guard cost?

The cost of an NTI guard is typically around $600; however, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost. It also helps the patient avoid using migraine medications.

How to make your own NTI guard?

NTI night guards may only be obtained from an oral health professional. However, some companies sell mold tray that you can use to make your own standard night guard.

What does NTI-tss stand for?

NTI-tss stands for “Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Tension Suppression System”. It's an FDA-approved device for treating bruxism, TMJ, and migraines that have been medically diagnosed.

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Sources

bruxism.org.uk.: A review of the NTI-tss device. Consulted 18th March 2022.

stephensdentistry.com: NTI vs. night guard. Consulted 18th March 2022.

aaom.com: Tooth clenching or grinding. Consulted 18th March 2022.

nationaldentex.com: NTI-tss Plus™. Consulted 18th March 2022.