Custom Night Guards for Teeth Grinding in Windsor, CO

What Are Dental Night Guards?

A dental night guard is a thick, custom-fitted acrylic appliance that fits over your teeth and is adjusted to your exact bite. It is shaped in our office to sit comfortably and hold your jaw in a relaxed, passive position.

Because it is made from a scan of your own teeth, it does far more than cover the surface. As a form of teeth grinding treatment, it is one of the simplest ways to shield your enamel, and its precise fit is what sets our custom night guards apart from a drugstore tray.

How Do Night Guards Work?

Night guards work by placing a firm barrier between your upper and lower teeth, so the two never grind against each other. That barrier absorbs the force of teeth clenching and shields your enamel from wear.

Just as important is what the surface does for your jaw. It is built with a smooth, flat plane and one point of contact per tooth. Instead of being pushed around by the slopes and edges of your natural teeth, your jaw can settle into a relaxed, passive position. Even small imperfections in how teeth meet can keep the muscles working all night, and a well-adjusted guard removes that trigger.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Night Guard?

You may be a good candidate for a night guard if you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or facial soreness, or if you know you grind or clench heavily.

Signs it may be time to ask us about a guard include:

• Waking with a sore, tight, or tired jaw
• Frequent morning headaches or temple pain
• Worn, flattened, chipped, or sensitive teeth
• A clicking or aching jaw joint
• A partner who hears grinding at night

If any of these sound familiar, a short evaluation tells us whether a guard is the right bruxism treatment for you or whether your symptoms point to something that needs more attention.

How Do Occlusal Splints Help With TMJ Dysfunction?

Occlusal splints, sometimes called a night guard for TMJ, help with TMJ dysfunction by letting your jaw rest in a passive, balanced position that relaxes the muscles around the joint. When those muscles stop fighting an uneven bite all night, tension eases and many patients feel real relief from pain and headaches.

Grinding and clenching keep the jaw muscles under constant strain, a common driver of TMJ dysfunction, and you can read more about the wider health effects of chronic grinding and clenching. By separating the teeth and giving the jaw a stable surface to close against, a splint interrupts that cycle in a conservative, low-risk way.

What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard?

The biggest benefit of wearing a night guard is protection: it shields your teeth from grinding while helping your jaw and muscles relax. It works on two fronts at once, guarding your enamel and easing the strain that leads to pain.

Patients who wear a custom guard consistently often notice:

• Less enamel wear, fewer chips, and stronger protection against fractures
• Meaningful jaw pain relief and fewer morning headaches
• Relaxed jaw muscles instead of tight, overworked ones
• A quieter, more restful night for them and anyone nearby
• Fewer costly repairs down the road from avoidable damage

What Is the Difference Between a Night Guard and an Occlusal Splint?

In everyday use the terms overlap, but the difference comes down to purpose. A night guard usually describes an appliance worn mainly to protect teeth from grinding, while an occlusal splint is adjusted more precisely to reposition the bite and calm jaw and muscle symptoms.

We build both with the same durable, custom-fit approach and tune each to its job. If your main concern is protecting worn teeth, a straightforward guard may be plenty. If your symptoms point to the joint and muscles, we adjust it as a therapeutic bite splint that does more than shield your teeth.

Are Custom Night Guards Better Than Store-Bought Options?

Yes, custom night guards are almost always better than store-bought options, because fit is what makes an appliance work. A boil-and-bite guard from a drugstore is bulky, wears out fast, and can even shift your bite and make grinding worse.

A guard made in our office is different in a few key ways:

• It is fitted to your exact teeth and adjusted to your bite
• The material is thinner, stronger, and easier to sleep in
• The flat, balanced surface supports passive jaw positioning
• It lasts far longer, protecting your teeth for years, not weeks

A professionally made guard usually saves money and frustration over time.

Can You Wear a Night Guard With Braces or Clear Aligners?

Yes, you can still protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment, though the approach depends on what you are wearing. If you are in clear aligners, the trays already act as a barrier, so a separate guard is often unnecessary while you wear them. If you wear fixed braces, a standard guard usually will not fit over the brackets, so we look at other options together.

The right move depends on your treatment plan, so it helps to raise this during a visit. We coordinate your grinding and clenching concerns with the rest of your care, and it folds easily into our range of orthodontic services.

How Do You Wear and Care for a Night Guard?

You wear a night guard while you sleep, and you can also wear it during the day whenever you need extra symptom relief. Wearing it consistently is what protects your teeth and keeps your jaw comfortable.

Caring for your appliance is simple:

• Brush it daily with antimicrobial hand soap, not abrasive toothpaste
• Rinse it after each use and let it air dry
• Store it in its case whenever it is not in your mouth
• Keep it away from heat, which can warp the material
• Bring it to your checkups so we can inspect and adjust the fit

How Much Does a Custom Night Guard Cost?

The cost of a custom night guard depends on the type of appliance, how much adjustment your bite needs, and whether it is a simple protective guard or a therapeutic splint. Because every mouth is different, we give you a clear price after evaluating your teeth and jaw.

We keep the money conversation straightforward, too. Our team reviews any dental insurance benefits that may apply, explains what is covered, and walks through financing options where available, so you understand every choice before treatment begins.

Why Choose Wood Orthodontics for Night Guards and Occlusal Splints

Patients choose our practice because we have a high success rate relieving grinding and jaw symptoms using the least invasive methods first. When a case is more complex, we work hand in hand with other specialists so you get the right care, not the most aggressive care.

That mindset fits the way we treat everyone who comes in:

• Dr. Tyler Wood adjusts every appliance to your individual bite
• We start conservative and only escalate when it is truly needed
• Our comfort-focused, low-sensory office is designed to ease anxiety
• We care for children, teens, and adults with the same family-first attention
• We explain each step so you stay involved in your own treatment

Whether you need a protective guard or a therapeutic splint, our specialized orthodontic care is built around your comfort and long-term health.

Book Your Bite Comfort Consultation With Wood Orthodontics

If grinding, clenching, or jaw tension is stealing your sleep, we are ready to help you feel comfortable again. Call our office or request an appointment online, and the team at Wood Orthodontics will build a custom guard that protects your smile and lets your jaw finally rest. Comfortable, confident days start with restful nights here in Windsor, CO.