Night Guards (Bite Guards) in Atlanta
What is a night guard?
For patients who grind or clench their teeth, a night guard can be a very effective solution. We custom make the guard to fit the patient’s mouth.
Unfortunately, night guards are one of the most over prescribed treatments in the dental world (see our videos to learn more). So that is why:
- We take a very thoughtful approach before we recommend a night guard for you. AND
- We have a simple, hassle-free policy when it comes to night guards. If you get one from us, you can try it out for a couple of weeks. If it doesn't fit well or you feel it's not working for any reason, just bring it back to us. We'll either make you a new one at no charge or refund your money. Our goal is to ensure you're fully satisfied and you know that we have your back. We don't want you to spend hundreds of dollars on a night guard that ends up sitting unused in your bathroom cabinet. This is part of our Brookhaven Family Dentistry money-back guarantee. We want you to feel confident that you're being treated fairly.
How we decide whether you need a night guard
Grinding and clenching are largely invisible, which is why night guards are easy to over prescribe, unless the signs are unmistakable. Dr. Kokabi and the team at Brookhaven Family Dentistry ask you many questions before they recommend a night guard for you. Some of these questions are:
1. Whether or not the muscles of your jaw feel tense or sore when you wake up.
2. Whether or not a partner hears you grinding at night.
3. Whether or not you catch yourself clenching your teeth during the day.
If you are not sure, then we will often tell you to be mindful of these 3 items and we can discuss it again at your next visit, instead of just recommending a night guard for you willy nilly. Wear and tear is also read against your age, since the same wear means something different at age 23 than at 53.
What happens after we make your night guard
A night guard takes two visits, one to scan or take models of your teeth and one to fit it. Early in his career Dr. Kokabi found a large share of patients simply were not wearing theirs, so the process does not end at delivery. You take the guard home and try it for a couple of weeks. If it does not fit well or is not working for you, then bring it back and we will make you a second one at no charge, sometimes in a different style. If that one does not work either, you get your money back. Around 85 to 90% of patients are happy with the first guard.
Common questions
How much do night guards cost?
Around 500-700$ if paying fully out of pocket. Some insurance plans will cover night guards, other plans will not.
How long is the night guard appointment?
It takes two visits. Usually 30 minutes per appointment.
Does it hurt to get a night guard?
No, the process to get a night guard is not painful and does not require anesthetic.
Think you might be grinding your teeth?
Get in Touch
Curious about a specific procedure? Financial inquiries?
Give us a call at (770) 451-0611