At Lochwood Family Dental, we understand how to protect your smile. A custom mouthguard in our Dallas, TX office can prevent multiple dental problems. Our expert dental team can create a mouthguard for you to prevent injuries during physical activity.
Custom athletic mouthguards are a part of our general dental treatments and can maintain and preserve your smile for years to come. Our office can also create TMJ mouthguards to prevent damage from teeth clenching and grinding.
Benefits of a Custom Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard is essential for anyone involved in sports, children or adults. A mouthguard can absorb part of the shock from hits to the face from sports equipment or other players. The benefits of using a custom mouthguard from our Dallas, TX office can extend beyond basic protection. Here are some key advantages:
Superior Fit and Comfort
One of the major benefits of custom mouthguards is their fit. Since they are tailored to your mouth, they do not cause discomfort or make it difficult to speak or breathe. This helps athletes who must communicate with teammates during games.
A custom mouthguard stays securely in place and does not shift or move. It lets you focus on your activities without worrying about clenching your teeth to keep it in place.
The precise fit of a custom mouth guard also minimizes the risk of irritation and sores that can result from poorly fitting guards. This is essential for individuals who wear mouthguards for extended periods, such as those with TMJ disorders. The comfortable fit ensures you can wear the guard throughout the night without discomfort or interrupted sleep.
Enhanced Protection
Custom mouthguards provide enhanced protection against dental injuries. They effectively cushion impacts and reduce the risk of broken teeth, jaw injuries, and soft tissue damage. This is crucial for athletes involved in contact sports such as football, hockey, and basketball. A well-fitted custom mouthguard absorbs and disperses impact force, protecting your teeth and surrounding tissues from damage.
In addition to protecting against acute injuries, custom mouthguards can also help prevent long-term dental problems. For individuals with bruxism, wearing a custom mouthguard can reduce the wear and tear on teeth caused by grinding. This helps preserve the integrity of teeth and reduces the risk of tooth damage.
Improved Performance for Athletes
A custom mouthguard can improve athletes’ performance. A well-fitted guard allows for better breathing and speaking, helping athletes maintain focus and communication during games.
In addition to enhancing performance, a custom mouthguard provides peace of mind for athletes. Knowing they are well-protected allows athletes to play confidently and reduce the risk of hesitation in high-impact situations. The guard’s comfortable fit also ensures athletes wear it throughout training and competition without distraction.
- Optimal fit: Custom mouth guards are tailored to your unique dental structure for a perfect fit.
- Enhanced comfort: The personalized design ensures that the guard is comfortable to wear for extended periods.
- Superior protection: Custom mouthguards provide the highest level of protection against dental injuries and bruxism.
- Improved athletic performance: A well-fitted guard allows for better breathing and communication, enhancing athletic performance.
We can also make a custom mouthguard if you have braces. Our office can create a sports mouthguard for braces that covers the brackets and wires but fits comfortably. Protecting your braces can prevent damage to your soft tissues from the metal wires.
Types of Mouthguards
Understanding the different types of mouthguards available can help you choose the one that best suits your needs. While custom mouthguards offer the highest level of protection and comfort, there are other options to consider:
Stock Mouthguards
These pre-formed guards are ready to use out of the package. They come in standard sizes and are often inexpensive, making them a popular choice for quick solutions. However, they are generally bulky and may not fit well, offering limited protection and comfort.
Because they are standardized, you can’t adjust them to your mouth. As a result, they may feel uncomfortable or not protect your mouth.
Stock mouthguards are a temporary solution for people who need immediate protection. However, they are less effective than other types of mouthguards. Instead, we will recommend a custom mouthguard for regular use.
Boil and Bite Mouthguards
These mouthguards use thermoplastic. To use them, you boil the guard in water to soften it, then bite down to mold it to your teeth. While they offer a better fit than stock mouthguards, they do not offer a custom fit. This process can be somewhat challenging, and a good fit may take multiple attempts.
Boil and bite mouth guards offer a middle ground between stock and custom-fitted guards. They are more affordable than custom options and provide a semi-custom fit. However, they may still feel bulky and can cause discomfort if incorrectly molded.
They may not provide the same level of protection against dental injuries as custom-fitted guards. These guards are less ideal for high-impact activities.
Custom Mouthguards
Our dental office can create custom-fitted mouthguards. Custom guards offer the best fit, comfort, and protection. The process involves taking impressions of your teeth to create a guard that conforms perfectly to your dental structure.
Custom-fitted mouthguards provide maximum protection. They cover every contour of your teeth and gums. These mouthguards use high-quality and long-lasting materials. They are ideal for athletes involved in contact sports and TMJ patients.
While they may be more expensive than other options, a custom-fitted mouthguard is worthwhile. Custom mouthguards provide superior protection and comfort. The personalized fit helps you wear the guard without irritation or discomfort.
TMJ Mouthguards and Sports Mouthguards
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause major dental issues. We can create a custom mouthguard to prevent teeth damage and reduce jaw pain. However, this mouthguard is not the same as a sports mouthguard.
A TMJ nightguard uses hard plastic materials that cover the upper or lower teeth. You only wear this guard at night to prevent teeth clenching and grinding. A sports mouthguard uses more flexible plastic and covers the front of the top teeth.
You cannot use one mouthguard for the other. If you need an athletic mouthguard and a nightguard, we can provide both.
Getting a Custom Mouthguard in Dallas, TX
You can get a custom mouthguard in two quick in-office visits. Here is an overview of the process:
First Consultation
The first step is to schedule a consultation. We will examine your teeth at this visit and discuss your needs and concerns. Our office may also take X-rays if you have teeth grinding or dental injuries. This examination helps us determine the best type of mouthguard for you and understand your specific requirements.
Tooth Impressions
Next, we will take impressions and measurements of your teeth. This involves using a putty-like material to create a mold of your teeth. We send the impressions to a dental lab, where technicians create your custom mouthguard. These impressions ensure the mouthguard that fits perfectly and provides optimal protection.
In addition to impressions, we may measure your bite and jaw size. This information helps us create a mouthguard that fits your teeth and oral structure. The result is a mouthguard that is comfortable to wear and provides comprehensive protection.
Fitting Appointment
Once your custom mouthguard is ready, you will return to our office. Our team will ensure that the guard fits perfectly. We will make any necessary adjustments and provide you with instructions on how to wear and care for your new mouthguard. This fitting appointment is essential so the guard stays securely in place and offers maximum protection.
During the fitting appointment, we will also check for any pressure points or areas of discomfort. We can adjust the guard for a perfect fit. We want you to wear your mouthguard comfortably and confidently.
Care and Maintenance of Custom Mouthguards
Proper care and maintenance of your custom mouthguard will help it last. Here are some tips to care for your mouthguard:
- Regular Cleaning: Clean your mouthguard after each use. Use mild soap and water to keep it fresh and free from bacteria. When you clean your mouthguard, use a soft-bristled brush. Do not use hot water because you can damage the guard.
- Proper Storage: Ensure your mouthguard is completely dry before you place it in its case. This helps prevent bacterial growth. Do not wrap your mouthguard in a napkin or paper towel, as you can accidentally throw it away.
- Dental Visits: Visit our office regularly. We check the fit and make adjustments so your mouthguard remains effective.
Cost Considerations and Insurance Coverage
Investing in a custom mouthguard is an investment in your oral health. While the initial cost is higher, the benefits are long-lasting. Many dental insurance will cover the cost of custom mouthguards. We offer flexible payment options to make custom mouthguards affordable. Contact us for more details about our payment plans.
Protect Your Smile
Get a custom mouthguard in Dallas, TX, from Lochwood Family Dental. Call 214-544-9633 or schedule an appointment with us online. We are here to serve you, whether you’re in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, or Garland.