Flattened or chipped biting surfaces, increasing sensitivity, tooth fractures that seem to come from nowhere, jaw or temple soreness on waking, and repeated failure of fillings or crowns are all patterns we look for during an examination.
A nightguard made from an impression or scan of your own teeth fits precisely, distributes force evenly, and absorbs the load your teeth would otherwise take. Over-the-counter versions are bulkier, fit poorly, and are frequently abandoned within weeks.
A custom sportsguard protects against impact during contact sports and stays put without being clenched into place. It is a small cost against a fractured or avulsed front tooth.
Where wear has already changed the shape of teeth or the way they meet, restoring them may involve bonding, onlays, or crowns. Protecting the teeth comes first — rebuilding without addressing the cause invites the same failure again.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition. It is diagnosed by a physician, typically with a sleep study — not by a dentist, and not from an examination chair. We can recognize signs and refer you appropriately.
For some patients with a diagnosis in hand, a physician may recommend a mandibular advancement appliance, which a dentist can fabricate and adjust. That sequence matters: diagnosis first, appliance second.
Loud habitual snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, waking unrefreshed, and daytime sleepiness are worth raising with your physician. Untreated sleep apnea carries real cardiovascular risk, so it is not something to manage with a device bought online.
Persistent jaw joint pain, clicking with limited opening, or locking is evaluated on its own terms. Some cases are managed conservatively; others are referred. We will not promise that a nightguard resolves every jaw complaint, because it does not.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace an in-person dental examination or personalized advice.
An examination can tell you how much wear has already happened.
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