Bruxism, often called clenching & grinding, is one of the most common and most underaddressed sources of dental damage. Many people do it without knowing, and the effects accumulate quietly over time: worn enamel, fractured teeth, stressed joints, and in some cases, damage to restorations that took significant time and investment to place. A custom night guard is one of the most straightforward ways to protect your teeth from forces they were never designed to withstand.
Why a Custom Guard Matters
Not all night guards are created equal. Over-the-counter options are bulky, ill-fitting, and often uncomfortable enough that patients stop wearing them. Beyond comfort, there's a more important concern— Guards made from soft, pliable plastic can actually increase clenching in some patients, and prolonged use of a poorly fitted appliance can lead to unwanted tooth movement over time. At Elevated Dentistry, night guards are fabricated in-house using digital impressions from our iTero scanner and our SprintRay 3D printer— the same technology used by dental labs, without the shipping time. The result is a precise, comfortable fit that protects rather than compounds the problem.
Protecting Your Investment
For patients who have completed restorative or aesthetic treatment such as veneers, crowns, and smile makeovers, a night guard isn't optional. It's part of the plan. The same forces that wear down natural enamel over years can damage porcelain restorations in a fraction of the time. At Elevated Dentistry, occlusal protection is built into every comprehensive treatment plan because the work deserves to last.
Tracking Changes Over Time
One of the advantages of Elevated Dentistry's annual 3D oral health scans is the ability to monitor wear over time. Changes that might be invisible to the naked eye in a single visit become clear when compared year over year— allowing Dr. Bottorff to identify patients who may benefit from a night guard before significant damage has occurred, not after.
Concerned about grinding or clenching, or ready to protect your smile? Call 434-218-4765 or book your appointment online.