Nightguards and Occlusal Splints

At Hallam Dental Clinic, our dentists are very caring and smooth to give you a stress-
free experience when protecting your smile. We are highly competent in designing
custom-made nightguards (also known as occlusal splints) to treat the painful
symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching.

What is a Nightguard?
A nightguard is a custom-fitted, clear acrylic appliance worn over your teeth while
you sleep. It acts as a protective mattress or barrier between your upper and lower
teeth, absorbing the heavy forces caused by involuntary grinding and clenching
(bruxism).

Signs You May Need a Nightguard
Many people grind their teeth at night without even realizing it. You may be experiencing bruxism if you wake up with:

Morning Symptoms: Dull, chronic headaches or unexplained facial and jaw muscle soreness.
Joint Discomfort: Clicking, popping, or painful tension in your jaw joints (TMJ).
Tooth Damage: Flattened, chipped, or cracked teeth, or teeth that are increasingly sensitive to hot and cold.
Disrupted Sleep: A partner hearing grinding noises while you sleep.

Benefits of a Custom Nightguard

Prevents Tooth Wear: Stops teeth from being flattened, worn down, or fractured by intense nighttime forces.
Shields Dental Work: Protects your premium dental investments, including composite or porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and dental implants, from breaking under pressure.
Relieves Muscle Pain: Relaxes the jaw muscles and takes the pressure off your jaw joints, preventing chronic headaches and facial pain.
Saves on Future Costs: Wearing a nightguard is a simple, cost-effective way to avoid major structural tooth damage that requires expensive crowns or root canals to fix later.

Custom-Made vs. Over-the-Counter

The Custom Fit: Our nightguards are custom-molded to your exact bite using high-precision scans or impressions. They stay securely in place, distribute pressure evenly, and allow you to breathe and swallow comfortably.
The Retail Risk: Store-bought, “boil-and-bite” guards are bulky and do not fit your bite precisely. They can often worsen jaw pain and accelerate tooth movement by applying uneven pressure.

Critical Care and Maintenance Instructions

Morning Routine: Rinse your nightguard in cool water immediately after waking up and clean it gently with a toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste, as it can scratch the material.
Safe Storage: Store the appliance dry in its ventilated protective case away from children and pets.
Avoid Heat: Never wash your nightguard in hot water or leave it in a hot car, as extreme temperatures will warp its shape.
Regular Checks: Bring your nightguard to your six-monthly check-ups at Hallam Dental Clinic so your dentist can inspect it for wear and ensure it still fits your bite perfectly.