Custom Night Guards in Hickory, NC
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching — known as bruxism — can cause serious damage to your smile without you ever realizing it’s happening. At Hickory Dentistry in Hickory, NC, we provide custom-fitted night guards that protect your teeth, relieve jaw tension, and help you wake up feeling better every morning. Call (828) 322-2977 to schedule your consultation today.
Protect Your Smile with a Custom Night Guard in Hickory, NC
Bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching — is far more common than most people realize, and the damage it causes accumulates silently over months and years. Many patients who grind their teeth do so exclusively during sleep, making them completely unaware of the habit until Dr. Millsaps identifies the telltale signs during a routine exam: worn, flattened tooth surfaces, chipped enamel, increased sensitivity, and stress fractures in the enamel. At Hickory Dentistry in Hickory, NC , we take bruxism seriously because its consequences — if left unaddressed — extend well beyond cosmetic wear to include cracked teeth, damaged restorations, TMJ disorders, and chronic jaw pain.
The Consequences of Untreated Bruxism
The forces generated by grinding and clenching can be extraordinary — in some cases, far exceeding the normal forces of chewing. Over time, these forces progressively wear down the enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. Once enamel is lost, it doesn’t regenerate. Flattened, shortened teeth are one of the earliest visible signs, often accompanied by increasing tooth sensitivity as the enamel thins and the underlying dentin becomes more exposed. Existing dental work is also at risk: crowns, veneers, and fillings can crack or fracture under grinding pressure, requiring premature replacement. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the hinge joint connecting your jaw to your skull — bears the brunt of repeated clenching, and chronic overuse can lead to TMJ disorder, characterized by jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, difficulty opening the mouth fully, and headaches that radiate from the temples. Left unaddressed, bruxism can also contribute to gum recession and even tooth mobility in advanced cases. The good news is that a custom night guard from Hickory Dentistry is a simple, highly effective intervention that stops this damage in its tracks.
Why Choose a Custom Night Guard Over Store-Bought Options?
Pharmacy shelves are stocked with over-the-counter mouth guards and boil-and-bite devices marketed for teeth grinding — but these one-size-fits-all products fall significantly short of what a professionally fabricated custom night guard can provide. Store-bought guards are thick, bulky, and imprecise, which makes them uncomfortable enough that most patients abandon them within a few weeks. Because they don’t fit the exact contours of your teeth and bite, they can actually alter your jaw position in ways that worsen TMJ symptoms rather than relieve them. A custom night guard from Hickory Dentistry is designed from precise impressions of your teeth, ensuring an exact, comfortable fit that stays securely in place throughout the night without bulk or bulk discomfort. We select the appropriate material thickness and hardness based on your specific grinding habits — softer materials for mild cases, harder acrylic for heavy grinders — ensuring the guard performs optimally for your unique situation.
How the Night Guard Process Works
Getting a custom night guard at Hickory Dentistry is a quick and straightforward process. At your first appointment, we take impressions of your teeth — or use our iTero digital scanner for a precise, putty-free digital impression. These records are sent to a professional dental laboratory where your guard is fabricated to exact specifications. At your fitting appointment, Dr. Millsaps will place the guard, check the fit and bite carefully, and make any minor adjustments needed to ensure it’s perfectly comfortable. Most patients adapt to wearing their night guard within a week or two and often notice meaningful improvement in jaw comfort and morning headaches within the first few weeks of consistent use.
Caring for Your Night Guard
A well-made custom night guard can last several years with proper care. Rinse it with cool water after each use and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush — avoid toothpaste, which can be abrasive. Store it in its protective case when not in use to prevent damage and warping. Keep it away from heat sources, and bring it to your regular dental appointments at Hickory Dentistry so we can check it for signs of wear. If your guard becomes cracked, distorted, or no longer fits properly, let us know and we’ll arrange for a replacement. We serve patients from Hickory, NC and surrounding communities including Newton, Lenoir, Granite Falls, and Conover. Call (828) 322-2977 or request your appointment online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions — Night Guards in Hickory, NC
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Many people who grind their teeth are completely unaware of the habit. Common signs include waking up with jaw soreness, stiffness, or fatigue; frequent morning headaches, particularly at the temples; increased tooth sensitivity; and teeth that appear flat, chipped, or shorter than they used to be. Your partner may also notice grinding sounds during sleep. Dr. Millsaps routinely evaluates patients for signs of bruxism during comprehensive exams — often identifying wear patterns before patients have noticed any symptoms. If you suspect you might be grinding, call (828) 322-2977 for an evaluation.
Can a night guard help with jaw pain and TMJ symptoms?
Yes — for many patients, a properly fitted night guard provides significant relief from jaw pain, morning headaches, and TMJ-related symptoms by cushioning the joint and preventing the intense clenching forces that aggravate it. However, it’s important that the guard is custom-fitted to your exact bite — an improperly fitting guard can potentially worsen TMJ symptoms. At Hickory Dentistry, Dr. Millsaps carefully evaluates your bite and jaw function before recommending and fabricating your night guard to ensure it provides the relief you need.
Is a night guard the same as a sports mouth guard?
No — though both are oral appliances, they serve very different purposes. A night guard is designed to protect teeth from the friction and pressure of grinding and clenching during sleep. It’s typically made from a harder acrylic material and is thinner in profile. A sports mouth guard is designed to absorb and distribute impact forces during athletic activity, protecting teeth from traumatic injury. Both are fabricated from custom impressions at Hickory Dentistry, but they have different material properties and different designs suited to their respective functions.
How long does a custom night guard last?
With proper care, a custom night guard from Hickory Dentistry typically lasts two to five years, though heavy grinders may wear through their guard more quickly. The guard naturally absorbs the forces that would otherwise be applied to your teeth, so some wear is expected and is actually a sign that it’s doing its job. When you bring your guard to your regular dental appointments, Dr. Millsaps will inspect it for signs of significant wear and let you know when it’s time for a replacement before it loses its protective function.
Can children wear night guards?
Yes — bruxism is actually quite common in children, particularly those who are stressed, have misaligned teeth, or are in the process of transitioning from baby to adult teeth. However, because children’s mouths are still developing and changing, custom night guards may need to be replaced more frequently than adult guards as the teeth shift and new teeth erupt. Dr. Millsaps will assess whether a night guard is appropriate for your child and recommend the right timing and approach based on their developmental stage.
Will wearing a night guard feel uncomfortable?
It’s normal to notice the appliance for the first week or two as you adjust to wearing it during sleep. Most patients find that it becomes second nature fairly quickly. If the guard feels significantly uncomfortable, causes pain, or doesn’t seem to fit correctly, contact Hickory Dentistry at (828) 322-2977 — we may need to make minor adjustments to the bite surface or fit. A properly fitted custom guard should feel secure without being bulky or creating pressure on the teeth or gums.
Do you provide custom night guards for patients from Newton, Lenoir, and Granite Falls?
Hickory Dentistry provides custom night guards and comprehensive general dentistry services for patients from Hickory, NC and surrounding communities including Newton, Lenoir, Granite Falls, and Conover. If you’re experiencing symptoms of teeth grinding — jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth — call us at (828) 322-2977 or request an appointment online. We’ll evaluate your situation and get you fitted for a night guard that protects your smile for the long term.
