Occlusal Guards & Night Guards
Clenching and grinding can wear down teeth, strain jaw joints, and cause chronic headaches or broken restorations. A properly designed occlusal guard (night guard) protects your teeth and restores balance to your bite — but not all night guards offer the same protection. As a prosthodontic practice serving Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, we create fully customized guards that safeguard your teeth, support healthy jaw function, and provide long-term comfort.
Occlusal Guards & Night Guards
Clenching and grinding can wear down teeth, strain jaw joints, and cause chronic headaches or broken restorations. A properly designed occlusal guard (night guard) protects your teeth and restores balance to your bite — but not all night guards offer the same protection. As a prosthodontic practice serving Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, we create fully customized guards that safeguard your teeth, support healthy jaw function, and provide long-term comfort.
What Is an Occlusal Guard / Night Guard?
An occlusal guard — also known as a night guard, bite guard, or bruxism appliance — is a custom-fitted device worn over the teeth to protect them from the damaging effects of grinding or clenching. It cushions the teeth, reduces stress on the jaw joints, and helps prevent enamel wear, fractures, and muscle fatigue.
Unlike store-bought or “one-size” guards, a professionally made occlusal guard fits precisely, stays secure, and is designed to maintain proper bite alignment while minimizing pressure on the jaw.
Signs You May Need a Night Guard
You may benefit from a custom occlusal guard if you experience:
- Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep
- Worn, chipped, or flattened teeth
- Jaw soreness or tightness
- Morning headaches
- Popping or clicking in the jaw
- Broken fillings or crowns
- Neck pain or facial muscle tension
- Sensitivity from enamel wear
Early treatment prevents long-term damage and protects your bite.
Types of Occlusal Guards We Offer
Different patients require different types of guards based on bite, muscle activity, tooth wear, and sensitivity. We offer:
✔ Hard Acrylic Night Guards: Strong, durable guards for heavy grinders; ideal for protecting crowns, veneers, and implants.
✔ Soft Night Guards: Softer, flexible materials for light to moderate clenching or for patients with sensitivity.
✔ Dual-Laminate Guards: A combination of soft inner lining and hard outer shell — best for patients who want comfort plus strength.
✔ Bite Stabilization / Muscle Deprogramming Guards: Used for patients with TMJ symptoms, bite instability, or muscle overactivity.
✔ Daytime Clenching Guards: Thin, low-profile appliances designed for patients who clench during the day.
Why See a Prosthodontist for a Night Guard?
Night guards may seem simple, but they are one of the most misunderstood dental devices. A poorly made guard can:
- Cause new bite problems
- Worsen TMJ symptoms
- Increase muscle tension
- Shift teeth
- Make wear patterns worse
- Lead to long-term discomfort
Only a prosthodontist — a specialist in occlusion, bite engineering, and full-mouth rehabilitation — is trained to design a guard that protects your teeth without altering your bite in harmful ways.
As a Harvard- and USC-trained, board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Arman Torbati:
- Analyzes your bite, jaw joints, and muscle patterns
- Determines the correct thickness and material
- Designs the guard to distribute forces properly
- Prevents worsening of wear, fractures, or TMJ issues
- Protects veneers, crowns, bridges, and implant restorations
- Ensures comfort and long-term function
This expertise is crucial for patients with:
- Grinding-related wear
- TMJ discomfort
- previously failed night guards
- bite collapse
- extensive dental work
- implant restorations
- full-mouth reconstruction
Your night guard is not just a piece of plastic — it is a prosthodontic device engineered to protect your entire bite system.
Schedule your Dental Consultation for Night Guards today!
Occlusal guards play an essential role in protecting teeth, reducing muscle strain, and preventing long-term damage from clenching and grinding. When designed with proper bite analysis and prosthodontic precision, they provide reliable comfort, stability, and long-term protection for natural teeth and restorations.
If you’re experiencing signs of grinding, jaw tension, or tooth wear, a custom-designed guard can help restore balance and protect your smile. Our office can evaluate your bite and determine the most effective guard for your needs.
Occlusal Guards / Night Guards: Frequently Asked Questions
What does an occlusal (night) guard do?
It cushions the teeth and distributes bite forces to protect against wear, fractures, and muscle strain from clenching or grinding (bruxism).
How is a custom guard different from a store-bought one?
Custom guards are fitted to your bite, stay secure, and are engineered to avoid bite changes or TMJ irritation. Boil-and-bite guards often shift teeth and can worsen symptoms.
Will a night guard stop my grinding?
No. It doesn’t stop the habit, but it protects teeth, restorations, and jaw muscles from damage while you sleep.
Which type of guard is best—soft, hard, or dual-laminate?
It depends on your bite forces and symptoms. Hard acrylic is most durable for heavy grinders; soft is comfortable for light clenching; dual-laminate blends comfort with strength.
Can a night guard help with TMJ symptoms?
When designed with proper occlusion, a guard can reduce muscle overactivity and joint strain. Prosthodontic evaluation helps select the right design and thickness.
How long does a custom night guard last?
With proper care, several years. Heavy grinders may need more frequent replacement; bring your guard to checkups for evaluation and polishing.
Let’s Make Things Happen
Call today to schedule your dental consultation and explore the treatment options.
After years of feeling insecure about my smile, Dr. Torbati introduced me to the All on 6 dental implants. The results are nothing short of life-changing! My teeth look natural, and the comfort level is incredible. I can’t thank Dr. Torbati and his Los Angeles team enough for restoring my confidence.
