Attention Dentists: Night Guard WTF?

[Skistack]

Dentist is trying to sell me a night guard (along with veneers).

The pitch was that if I got just the upper veneers (which I'm not) I'd need to wear a night guard to keep the veneers from wearing down the lower teeth. That conversation somehow evolved into me needing a night guard regardless of the veneers.

So is this a legitimate medical necessity, or just a way to fund his next boat payment?

Could I get a similar device from Amazon for a fraction of the price?

[Art Shirk]

Was at the dentist today for the same thing - night guard that is. I grind the fuck outta my teeth. The dentist is one of my good friends and is giving it to me straight. Get one. And the store bought ones can be ok if you are simply trying to maintain your teeth but shitty if you have jaw problems.

[4matic]

I grind my teeth during the day. Not at night. If you grind your teeth at night you need it. If the Amazon one works sure.

[iceman]

Here's one for $20. from Walgreen's, no idea if it works or not: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/pla...7-fe3fca19534a

[abraham]

I grind mine at night. I used to go through one set a year, then I got a heavy duty top guard that lasted 2 years. I need to get a new one soon but it's worth it for sure. When I look at how much plastic I've ground down it's a bit scary. But at least it's not my teeth.

I can feel it in the morning when I forget to wear it camping or something

[wyeaster]

they are worth every penny. mine is covered by insurance so it's molded and apparently high quality but i can barely sleep without it now. the guy who did the fitting said that for people with ptsd in particular, the night guards improve a limited ability to sleep significantly because the clenching of the jaws is apparently a trigger/response for/to the fight or flight response which for obvious reasons would significantly interfere with the natural progression of sleep. the relief for clenching is amazing regardless but depending on the reasons, it can be even better. i can tell a huge difference around my head and neck if i don't have it for a couple of nights. i would think even a piece of crap mouthpiece would help but obviously i'm not a doctor.

[GimpToo]

Helps with snoring too!!

[hutash]

Get the guard and the veneer, Vail would go out of business without a steady stream of dentists.

[yeahman]

My dentist recommended one of those to me, but when pressed he said the cheapo hockey mouthguards you can get at the sporting goods store would work too. Just heat them in boiling water, form them to your teeth, and you're good to go. I only wear it when I'm stressing about something, which is when I tend to clench my jaw at night. Took a few nights to get used to it but now I don't mind it at all.

[abraham]

I think clenching and grinding are different but you can have both. Probably worth asking about if you can save the money

[mcski]

Have you tried biting the pillow?

[fatnslow]

Fucking dentists are like a fancy restaurant these days. Gotta push the high margin add ons to pay for hookers and blow. My kid's dentist(friend of my kid's dad) tried to sell me prescription fluoride tooth paste. I gave him a look and laughed at him. Ran it by the ortho and she laughed at me !

[Skistack]

Have you tried biting the pillow?

No, but your mom did.

[mtngirl79]

they are worth every penny. mine is covered by insurance so it's molded and apparently high quality but i can barely sleep without it now. the guy who did the fitting said that for people with ptsd in particular, the night guards improve a limited ability to sleep significantly because the clenching of the jaws is apparently a trigger/response for/to the fight or flight response which for obvious reasons would significantly interfere with the natural progression of sleep. the relief for clenching is amazing regardless but depending on the reasons, it can be even better. i can tell a huge difference around my head and neck if i don't have it for a couple of nights. i would think even a piece of crap mouthpiece would help but obviously i'm not a doctor.

How much does this cost? My insurance would probably cover it, but...

[4matic]

How much does this cost? My insurance would probably cover it, but...

Very few dental policies cover night guards. Spook gets his from government assistance.