Key takeaways
- Grinding and clenching are common, often unnoticed, and can chip or crack teeth and restorations.
- A custom night guard is made from an impression of your teeth; store-bought guards are available but may not protect as well.
- Ask whether a guard is included in a full-arch or multi-crown quote, and whether it is hard or soft.
- Keep the scan or model so a replacement guard can be made without starting over.
You are about to pay for new crowns, veneers or implant teeth. Then someone mentions a night guard, and it looks like an add-on. For people who grind or clench, it may be the line on the quote that protects the rest of it.
This guide explains why grinding matters for restorations, the types of guard you may be offered, and how to read the guard line on a quote. It is general education. Your dentist should examine you for signs of grinding and recommend what fits your mouth.
Why grinding matters for new work
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is common, and many people do it without knowing. The ADA's patient site lists stress, sleep disorders, misaligned teeth and missing or crooked teeth among the causes, and names chipped or cracked teeth and worn edges among the signs. The same page reports that in a 2021 ADA Health Policy Institute survey, more than 70% of dentists saw signs of grinding and clenching in patients.
Ceramic restorations are strong, but repeated heavy force at night can chip porcelain or crack a crown. Implants do not have the natural cushioning ligament that teeth have, so dentists often take grinding into account when planning implant work.
Mayo Clinic notes that splints and mouth guards separate the upper and lower teeth during sleep and can prevent damage from clenching and grinding, but may not stop the habit itself. In other words, a guard protects the teeth; it does not cure the cause.
Signs to mention to your dentist
You may not know you grind. Tell your dentist if you notice:
- Waking with jaw soreness or a dull headache
- A partner hearing grinding at night
- Flattened, chipped or cracked teeth
- Previous crowns or fillings that chipped or broke
- Tight or tired jaw muscles
These help your dentist judge risk before restorations are made. If you have a history of broken restorations, say so at the first consultation, not after the new work is in. It can change the material choice, the shape of the bite, and whether a guard is recommended from day one.
The ADA's grinding page also mentions that one study found people who smoke, drink alcohol or drink coffee were more likely to grind. If any of those apply, it is worth raising with your dentist as part of the conversation about protecting new work.
Types of guard you may be offered
| Type | How it is made | Fit | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom hard guard | Lab or office makes it from an impression or scan | Close fit to your teeth | Is it upper or lower? How is the bite adjusted? |
| Custom soft or dual-layer guard | Made from an impression, softer material or soft inside and hard outside | Close fit | Why soft rather than hard for my case? |
| Boil-and-bite | Store-bought, softened in hot water and molded at home | Variable | Is it safe to use over my new restorations? |
| Stock guard | Ready-made, no molding | Often poor | Generally not recommended for grinding protection |
The ADA's teeth grinding page says a custom guard made from a mold your dentist creates gives the closest and most comfortable fit, and that store-bought guards may not protect as well. It also notes that sports mouthguards are different, with extra cushioning that is often uncomfortable for sleep.
Hard vs soft
Mayo Clinic describes guards made of hard plastic or soft materials. Your dentist will choose based on your bite, your jaw, and the restorations being protected. Ask them to explain the choice for your case.
Is it on your quote?
Some quotes include a night guard automatically after large restorative work. Others list it as optional. Some leave it out entirely.
In a full-arch plan
Full-arch implant teeth replace many teeth at once, so dentists often discuss grinding protection for them. Ask:
- Is a night guard included after the final teeth are delivered?
- Is it made for the final teeth, not the temporaries?
- Who adjusts it if the bite changes?
Our full-arch quote decoder explains where this line usually sits among the other items.
With crowns or veneers
If you are having several crowns or veneers, ask whether the clinic recommends a guard and whether it is included. If you are travelling for treatment, ask whether it can be made on the same trip from a final scan.
A guard made for temporary teeth will not fit the final ones. If your plan has a temporary phase, ask when the guard will be made and whether a separate guard is needed during the temporary period.
With a single implant
Even one implant crown can be worth protecting if you grind, especially on a back tooth where forces are high. Ask whether your dentist adjusted the bite on the implant crown to account for grinding, and whether a guard is part of their usual aftercare for patients like you.
Records to take home
A guard can be lost, broken or worn through. If you have the scan or model it was made from, a replacement is easier, especially if you are home and your treating clinic is abroad.
Ask for:
- The digital scan file of the final restorations, in a standard format
- The guard design or lab prescription, if available
- The material and thickness used
- A note on which arch it fits and how the bite was set
Store these with your other dental records. Our records checklist covers what else to request.
Replacement and care
Guards wear over time, especially for heavy grinders. Ask your dentist:
- How often should it be checked or replaced?
- How should I clean and store it?
- What signs mean it needs to be replaced now?
- Is a replacement priced in advance?
Bring the guard to check-ups so your dentist can look for wear patterns. Those patterns can tell them a lot about your grinding.
Comparing quotes with and without a guard
When comparing two quotes for the same restorative work, check whether each includes a guard. A quote that seems lower may simply omit it. Ask each clinic to list:
- Whether a guard is included or optional
- Custom or not
- Hard, soft or dual-layer
- Made from final restorations or temporaries
- Adjustments included
- Replacement cost
Then compare totals with the savings calculator. A guard is a small line, but leaving it out of one quote and not the other makes the comparison uneven.
What a guard cannot do
A night guard is protection, not a fix for a bite problem or a cracked tooth. If a restoration already feels high, catches when you bite, or clicks, see your dentist for an adjustment rather than relying on the guard to absorb it. And if jaw pain, headaches or poor sleep continue, ask your dentist or physician whether something else, such as a sleep disorder, should be checked.
A guard also only works if you wear it. If it is uncomfortable, tell your dentist. A guard that sits in a drawer protects nothing, and most fit issues can be adjusted.
Want this priced for your actual mouth?
Send your treatment list and a recent panoramic X-ray. We come back with itemized written quotes from vetted clinics in Medellín and Bogotá so you can compare line by line.
Common questions
Do I need a night guard after getting implants?
Not everyone does. Your dentist will consider whether you grind or clench and what kind of restoration you have, so ask for their assessment.
Can I use a drugstore guard over my new crowns?
You can ask, but the ADA notes that store-bought guards may not protect as well as custom ones. Check with the dentist who placed your restorations.
Will a night guard stop me grinding?
Mayo Clinic notes that guards may not stop bruxism; they help protect against the damage. Ask your dentist or physician about addressing the cause, such as stress or sleep issues.
Should the guard be made before or after the final teeth?
After, so it fits the final restorations. A guard made for temporaries will not fit later.
How long does a night guard last?
It depends on the material and how heavily you grind. Ask your dentist to check it at each visit and tell you when it needs replacing.
Sources
Not medical or dental advice. DentalQuote publishes price research and connects patients with dental providers in Colombia. We are not a dental practice, we do not provide treatment, and nothing here is a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a guaranteed price. Only a licensed dentist who has examined you and reviewed current imaging can tell you what you need.
Verify every provider. Prices vary by case, materials, clinic and city. Colombian practitioners are searchable in the national ReTHUS registry.