Night Guard For Veneers

Veneers can create strikingly beautiful smiles. However, beauty doesn’t come cheap — porcelain veneers are also incredibly expensive. Not only that, but they’re also fragile. Naturally, you might wonder whether a night guard protects veneers from chipping.

Some may wear veneers due to bruxism damage such as chipping, cracking, or even breaking in the back and front teeth. Night guards, dental appliances worn on the upper or lower teeth while sleeping, not only prevent additional damage from grinding and damage. They also protect veneers and defend against bruxism symptoms.

The best type of night guard for veneers will vary based on your situation. After you read this article and discuss your options with your dentist, you’ll be well on your way to protecting your smile.

Why Veneer Wearers Use Night Guards

When you have both veneers and bruxism, a night guard is just as important, if not more, as it was before you had veneers. In the same way that a night guard provides a protective barrier between the top and bottom teeth, it can also protect veneers.

Veneers can do wonders for your smile, but they tend to chip. Many people worry about protecting their veneers for three reasons:

1. Veneers are expensive.
2. Veneers can be fragile.
3. Veneer wearers don’t want to endure additional dental work.

Taking care of veneers is very similar to taking care of natural teeth, but there are a few extra precautions you can take to ensure your veneers last as long as possible. Of course, you need to brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly. You should also avoid eating hard foods. Finally, you should protect your veneers while you sleep by wearing a night guard.

Night Guards Prevent Chipping

Again, veneers are fragile and tend to chip. If you are concerned about your veneers, it’s comforting to know that a night guard does help protect you from bruxism.

For people who clench or grind their teeth, a soft night guard can work to protect veneers. When your jaw muscles move in the middle of the night, this soft layer of protection won’t allow your veneers to contact your opposite set of teeth or veneers.  The soft material of the night guard will also not damage the fragile veneers.

There are very few risk factors to wearing a night guard with veneers, but it’s a good idea to talk about the device with your dentist. He or she can help you choose the right type of night guard and can help you choose an upper or lower night guard.

Related Articles:

• Flat Plane Occlusal Guard

A Night Guard Could Save You Money

Let’s face it: Veneers are incredibly expensive. The last thing you want to do is pay for them again due to preventable damage.

According to Dr. Kate Brayman DDS, porcelain veneers in New York City can cost up to $2,400 per tooth. Insurance rarely covers veneers and cosmetic dentistry, so you could pay the price again if you damage them due to bruxism.

In contrast, professionally made night guards can cost as little as $150. While that can be an investment, it’s definitely cheaper than fixing damaged dental veneers.

Veneers for Severe Teeth Grinding

If you’ve been a tooth grinder for years, you may have worn your teeth to the point where you have exposed dentin, which can be very painful. Dentin is the layer of your teeth that sits below your enamel, and there are many nerve endings in dentin. This is why it becomes painful if your enamel wears away.

People who have exposed dentin or extreme tooth damage due to grinding might have veneers as a result. If that’s you, a night guard is most likely in order.  It’s better to use a night guard to prevent more damage than to continue to fix damage after it has already happened.

Wearing a hard night guard can help protect your veneers from damage, which could prevent the need for additional costly dental procedures in the future.

It’s not just about protecting your teeth or veneers, either. Remember, night guards can help reduce the unpleasant side effects of bruxism such as jaw pain, TMJ, or facial pain.

When bruxism is so severe that it causes tooth damage, you should definitely make a treatment plan with your dentist.  Hard night guards tend to provide more protection than soft night guards for people who are heavy grinders; however, the hard material of the night guard could also potentially damage or loosen your veneers.  Your dentist can help evaluate your situation to determine the best option, including what type of night guard will work well for you. You can also talk to your dentist about whether you should get an upper or lower night guard.

Protect Your Veneers ASAP

The longer you wait to protect your veneers, the more opportunities they have to chip and break. You might need a new night guard because the one you had before you got veneers might not fit properly anymore or because you might want to switch from a guard that fits your upper teeth to one for your lower teeth (or vice versa).

For those with grinding or clenching, a soft night guard will likely be a good layer of protection. As always, talk to your dentist to learn more about what type of night guard is right for you and your veneers.

Shop Now

Pro Teeth Guard offers custom-fit mouthguards online for an affordable price. Our night guards are made in a professional dental lab using professional materials and processes. This is effectively the mouthguard you’d receive from a dentist.

Sources:

• dufffamilydental.com
• cosmeticdental.com
• sleepfoundation.org
• drsoniakohli.com
• colgate.com