General Dentistry
Night Guards in Wellington
A custom-made splint that absorbs the force of grinding and clenching, so your teeth do not.
Grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, often happens during sleep, so many people only find out when a dentist spots the wear. Over time it flattens the biting surfaces, causes cracks, and can leave you with jaw ache or headaches in the morning. A night guard does not stop the grinding itself, but it puts a replaceable layer between your teeth.
Signs you may be grinding
- Jaw stiffness or aching, particularly on waking
- Headaches around the temples in the morning
- Teeth that look flattened, chipped or increasingly sensitive
- A partner who can hear the grinding at night
- Fillings or crowns that keep breaking
If several of these sound familiar, mention it at your next checkup. Wear patterns are usually visible well before you notice symptoms.
Custom-made versus over the counter
Chemist guards are moulded by softening them in hot water and biting down. They are inexpensive and can help in the short term, but they are bulkier, wear through faster and often do not stay put, so people stop wearing them.
A custom guard is made from impressions or a scan of your teeth, so it fits closely and is thinner for the same protection. We check the way it meets your opposing teeth, which matters — a guard that throws your bite out can create its own problems.
Bring your guard to checkups so we can inspect it for wear. They do not last forever, and how long yours lasts depends on how hard you grind.
Book an appointment
We are open seven days, 8:00am – 8:30pm, at 100 Riddiford Street, Newtown, with free onsite parking.