A custom night guard is a thin, dentist-made appliance you wear while you sleep to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching, a habit dentists call bruxism. It is made for patients who wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or teeth that look more worn than they used to. At B-You! Dentistry in Suwanee, Dr. Tan Bui fits each night guard to your own bite so it actually does its job.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth at Night
Teeth grinding often happens while you sleep, so many people do not know they are doing it. Watch for these signs:
- Waking up with a sore jaw, neck, or dull headache
- Teeth that look flatter or shorter than before
- New sensitivity to cold or sweet foods
- A partner who hears grinding sounds at night
- Small chips or cracks in a tooth or an old filling
The ADA notes that teeth grinding can wear down tooth surfaces over time and that a mouthguard is a common way to protect teeth from this wear (MouthHealthy, ADA).
Custom Night Guard vs. Store-Bought Guards
Drugstore night guards are made in one general shape, so they rarely sit well on your teeth. A loose or bulky fit can get pushed out while you sleep, or it can change your bite in a way that makes jaw tension worse instead of better. A custom guard from our Suwanee office is made from an impression or digital scan of your own teeth, so it sits where it should and works with your bite.
Even Pressure
A custom guard spreads the force of grinding across your teeth instead of letting it concentrate on one or two spots.
Comfortable Fit
Made from your own impressions, so it stays in place through the night without feeling bulky.
Protects Restorations
If you have crowns or fillings, a custom guard helps keep grinding forces from cracking or loosening them.
Your Night Guard Visit at B-You! Dentistry
Step 1: Exam and conversation. Dr. Bui checks your teeth and jaw, takes digital X-rays, and shows you intraoral camera photos on screen so you can see what he sees. He asks about jaw pain, headaches, and sleep, and explains your options without pressure.
Step 2: Impressions. Once a night guard is the right fit for you, Dr. Bui takes impressions or a digital scan of your teeth. This information goes to a dental laboratory where your guard is made to match your bite.
Step 3: Fitting. When your night guard arrives, you return to the office so Dr. Bui can check the fit, comfort, and how your jaw lines up. He adjusts it until it feels right.
Step 4: Care instructions. You get simple directions on wearing and cleaning your guard, and when to bring it back in for a check as part of the cleanings and checkups on the schedule Dr. Bui recommends for you.
Why Suwanee Patients Choose Us for Night Guards
- Every X-ray and photo explained in plain language before any treatment is decided
- Dr. Bui is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, ADA and AGD member who completes about 25 hours of continuing education a year. Learn more about him on the meet Dr. Bui page
- Digital X-rays and intraoral cameras used to show you your own teeth on screen
- In network with 20+ PPO plans plus Medicare plans from Aetna, UHC PPO, United Concordia and Humana (see our insurance and financing page)
- Monthly payments available through Cherry and CareCredit
- Our team speaks Vietnamese and Spanish, and our reception lounge has beverages, eyewear, chapstick, and a goodie bag for new patients
New patients can start with our $149 new patient exam and healthy mouth cleaning, and if you only need a quick check before a night guard, ask about the $99 limited exam.
Grinding Can Affect More Than Your Teeth
Left alone, grinding can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and put stress on the jaw joint, which can show up as neck and jaw pain or headaches. If you already have a crown, bridge, or other restorative work, a night guard is one of the simplest ways to help protect it. If you grind so hard that you crack a tooth or lose a filling, our emergency dental care page can help you get seen quickly, and we can talk about a night guard once the urgent problem is handled.
Night Guard FAQs: Suwanee, GA
How do I know if I need a night guard?
Dr. Bui checks your teeth, jaw, and bite at your exam and tells you if a night guard fits your situation. Signs like jaw soreness, headaches, or worn teeth are good reasons to get checked.
Is a night guard covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your plan. Bring your insurance card and our team can go over your benefits with you. See our insurance and financing page for the plans we accept.
Can I wear a night guard if I have crowns or fillings?
Yes. A custom night guard is often recommended for patients with restorative work, since it helps spread grinding forces away from those teeth.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
A night guard does not stop the grinding reflex itself, but it protects your teeth from the wear and force that grinding causes.
Can I just buy a night guard at the store instead?
You can, but a store-bought guard is made in one general shape and often does not fit well. A custom guard from our Suwanee office is made from your own impressions for a secure, comfortable fit.
Do you treat other causes of jaw and tooth pain too?
Yes. Dr. Bui looks at your whole mouth, not only the grinding, and can talk with you about restorative options if your teeth need repair.
Get a Night Guard in Suwanee, GA
If you wake up with jaw pain or notice your teeth look more worn than before, call Dr. Bui's office at (470) 866-5801 or start as a new patient to get an exam and find out if a custom night guard is right for you.