Protect your smile makeover with a nightguard
I’m getting a smile makeover in December. It’s a present to myself. I had three cosmetic dentistry consultations. One dentist said I would need a nightguard after getting porcelain veneers. She said that the nightguard would protect my teeth because they show signs of teeth grinding at night. I don’t think I grind my teeth at night. Why didn’t the other two dentists mention this? Is this another way to make more money? How could I confirm that I grind my teeth at night and need a nightguard? Thank you. Hannah from Sacramento
Hannah,
A smile makeover is exciting and life-changing. It is wise to protect your investment. Grinding or clenching can cause porcelain veneers to crack or chip. The nightguard will protect your smile makeover and help keep your teeth in their correct position.
Still, how can you confirm that you need a nightguard to protect your porcelain veneers?
Will You Need a Nightguard After Getting Porcelain Veneers?
After getting porcelain veneers, you may need a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth. In a 2020 American Dental Association Health Policy Institute poll, 70 percent of dentists who responded to the survey said they saw an increase in patients who clench or grind their teeth. A dentist can take impressions of your teeth for a custom nightguard or mouthguard to relieve the pressure of clenching and grinding.
How Can You Verify that You Grind or Clench Your Teeth?
You can confirm that you grind or clench your teeth with. a dental exam. A dentist can look for signs of wear on your teeth from clenching or grinding. Dentists can take intraoral pictures of your teeth or use other means to display your teeth on a monitor to show you signs of wear.
Also, you may have symptoms of teeth grinding or clenching, which may include:
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Jaw tenderness or pain
- Neck pain
- Teeth sensitivity
- Toothaches
When you select a dentist for your smile makeover, you can ask whether they recommend a nightguard or mouthguard and for an explanation of how you will benefit. Get more information on how to preserve your porcelain veneers and not regret that you have them.
Dr. Brian LeSage, a Beverly Hills accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry, sponsors this post.
I wear Invisalign and am concerned that the aligners make my gums sensitive. The gums between my first and second molar are sore, especially after I eat. The pain lingers for almost an hour after eating. The pain doesn’t return until I eat again. My teeth don’t hurt, just my gums. My dentist took X-rays, though and said everything looks fine. He said he could remove the tooth if the pain didn’t resolve. Why remove a tooth because my gums hurt? My orthodontist says removing the tooth sounds unreasonable. She recommended that I get a second opinion. I guess that’s a good idea. Is it unusual to have gum sensitivity between teeth when you’re wearing Invisalign? I’ve had my aligner for ten months. The sensitivity began three to four months ago. – Thanks. Blake from Reno, NV