Bite Guards and Appliance Therapy in Courtenay
Nightguards and Oral Appliances Near You
It may seem like a trivial thing, but a mouthguard is an extremely effective tool when it comes to protecting your smile and preserving your oral health.
Dental guards can be worn for multiple reasons like preventing teeth clenching and grinding (also known as bruxism), and to address TMJ pain.
At Acreview Dental, we provide this treatment for patients who want to protect their oral health and deal with teeth grinding and clenching. If you’re interested in getting a custom-made mouthguard, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.
What Types of Dental Guards are Available?
- Nightguard: Although you can buy night guards from most drugstores, these night guards are typically the boil-and-bite night guards made from a softer material. They wear down quickly and don’t have a hard, even surface for your teeth to easily grind against. Our custom-made night guards are durable and are designed to help your muscles relax while you’re wearing it. This can help with problems like jaw pain and muscle soreness.
- Bite Appliances: If you are suffering from aches and pains in your jaw joint or in your chewing muscles, aka TMJ pain, it could be related to your bite and the alignment of your teeth. If this is the case, you may be a good candidate for a bite appliance. Our dentists are trained and experienced in using these bite appliances to help figure out and treat these types of conditions.
Getting a bite appliance involves an initial exam to see if you are a good candidate, an impression appointment so we make the appliance, and then one or two follow up appointments to finish the assessment of your bite problem. Some bite problems can be treated with fillings and crowns. Others require orthodontics and the movement of your teeth.
- Sleep Apnea/Snore Appliances: Although sometimes not considered a dental problem, sleep apnea is a medical condition that dentists can help treat. Sleep apnea is a condition where a patient’s jaw position and airway don’t allow them to get a good night’s rest. Their sleep gets interrupted with heavy snoring and difficulty breathing which, in turn, causes less oxygen to get into the lungs. Over time this can have serious health implications.
The first step with a sleep apnea patient is to get a sleep study. The most common way to treat sleep apnea is a CPAP which is a machine that makes it easier to breath. An alternative to a CPAP is an oral appliance that you wear that pushes your lower jaw forward, also called a mandibular advancement appliance. Posturing your lower jaw more forward can open up your airway and give you a better night’s rest. Like with most treatment options there are downsides and risks to this type of appliance so please book a consultation or talk to one of our dentists if you are interested.
Remember, everyone’s dental situation is different, which means that their preferences will vary. If you’re unsure which direction to go in, don’t be afraid to speak with your dentist. They’ll be more than happy to address any queries or concerns you have about this form of care.
We’re Here For You!
At our Acreview Dental, we look forward to walking alongside all our patients on their dental journeys. We provide reliable mouthguards near you that will last and, more importantly, that will stop any harm from happening to your beautiful smile.
Give us a call, send us an email, or drop by our location to get started today!
