? for Grinders or Clenchers w/ braces who use a night guard

Message

#1 Post by **dugsmom** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:02 pm

Hi everybody. I have a bit of a problem and I'm hoping someone can help me. I am a night grinder and clencher so I went out and got myself a custom made night guard. It's the best thing I ever did.
My problem is I'll be getting braces very soon (probably within the next month) and the only thing that I have been worried about is how am I going to survive for 2 years without my night guard???? About a year ago, I found this wonderful site and did a search on nightguards (to wear over braces) and found the info I was looking for. I have moved many times since then and have lost the info. I tried the search again but can not find much info.
There was one post where someone recommended the Sleepright night guard. According to the Sleepright web site, you can wear it over your braces...has anyone here used (or currently uses) the sleepright night guard over braces??? Is it comfortable??? Would you recommend it? Or is there another nightguard that can be worn over braces that you'd recommend to me????
All replies will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks so much!

Dugsmom

#2 Post by **cosmicgirl** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:49 pm

hi dugsmom
I think the company you're talking about is splintek.
However, I ordered a nightguard from them in November and it still hasn't arrived, despite numerous emails.
They even debited my credit card twice for no reason...

#3 Post by **ellebee** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:46 am

My Ortho sells a cheap ($3) mouth guard (really a sports guard) that fits over my braces. You can buy them at a sporting goods store. Do not get the kind you boil, get the soft, pliable rubber kind. You can cut off the strap that sticks out in the middle.

My bebanding day is March 26 and I can't wait to have a real night guard made again and start using it.

Elle

#4 Post by **gigiso** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:22 am

Splintek does sell the Sleepright night guard. According to their website you can use it over braces, but the copy on the actual box says not for use with braces. I emailed them and asked about the contradiction but have never gotten a reply from them. I would ask your ortho about it. They are available for sale at Target in the U.S.

I use one some nights. As far as comfort goes, it's OK, not great (I have a very small mouth). My husband has a custom one and says now that he's used to it he doesn't even know it's there. But if your ortho is OK with it I'd give it a try.

#5 Post by **iBorg** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:18 pm

I'm a grinder and have the damaged teeth to prove it. With that said, one of the reasons I have a bite plate is to prevent damage to your teeth. I would ask your ortho what to do about your grinding. He might have a wonderful suggestion.

Mike

#6 Post by **dugsmom** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:17 pm

Thank you for replying.

jt2lang- I haven't talked to my ortho about using a nightguard but I have an appointment on Wed. so I'll ask him and let you all know what he says. Even if he says that I shouldn't wear one, I'm gonna get it. There is no way my teeth will survive 2 years of clenching and grinding. The grinding I can live with but it's the clenching that will kill me!!!

cosmicgirl- Yes that is the company. Thank you sooo much for the warning. I went back to the website and found out that Target sells them so I'm ordering one from them. Maybe you can somehow cancel your order and order yours from Target.

Ellebee- I will probably go get one of those too. It's always nice to have lots of options! I think it's wonderful that you are being debanded. I haven't even gotten braced yet but I am already looking forward to my debanding day!!!

gigiso- I just noticed the contradiction last night. I was thinking of emailing them but I think I'll just give them a call and ask instead. I'll let you know what they tell me.

iBorg- What is a bite plate??? I am new to all this. I am definitely going to speak to my ortho on Wed. I am hoping he'll be able to recommend something. I really need something for my teeth. My back bottom molars are so far up that they've pushed my upper molars into my gums. I know that sounds weird but there's no other way to describe it. I am hoping the ortho will be able to pull down those teeth to where they once were. I also read about someone who shattered (okay not shattered but she cracked them all so badly and had to have crowns put on all of them) her molars because she didn't realize that you could protect your teeth while in braces. I don't want that to be me!!!

#7 Post by **dugsmom** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:20 pm

jt2lang- I just made the call. First I asked if I could wear the nightguard over braces, she told me to wait while she checked. She came back and told me that I could but I had to check with my dentist first. I then told her about the contradiction and she basically avoided the question. She kept repeating that I need to consult with my dentist first and I kept asking about the contradiction. I didn't get an answer. I finally agreed to check with my dentist first because she was starting to annoy me with her,"You need to consult with a dentist first, you need to consult with a dentist first, you need to consult with a dentist first" thing.

I haven't been braced yet. I'm going in for my second consult on Wed. (already had molds and xrays taken) so I am hoping to get them soon. As soon I as try the nightguard with braces, I'll let you all know how comfortable it is and if it's worth it.

#8 Post by **iBorg** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:46 pm

To find out info on a bite plate, visit this site:
http://www.sllsmile.com/gallery/main.ph ... itemId=181

Mike

#9 Post by **dugsmom** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:31 pm

Thanks iBorg. The bite plate looks uncomfortable.

I have a quick question for you...in your blog you mentioned the springs (to help with the gap). Are they painful??? My ortho told me I'm getting springs and I think someone on this forum mentioned it was painful. Are the springs painful or just uncomfortable? I can live with uncomfortable but I dont know how long I can take pain.
Thanks again for the bite plate info. I am going to look into maybe getting one if the mouth guard doesn't work out.

#10 Post by **iBorg** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:19 pm

If it fits well it will take about three days to get used to a bite plate. After a week, you will seem naked without it. I have a ritual of going to clean it about an hour before bed time.

As for the springs, mine are to open space. The first few days you feel a bit tender as they start to work. After that, they seem to not even be there. Painful, to me at least, not at all.

Mike

#11 Post by **dugsmom** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:48 am

Thanks iBorg. I am also having the same thing done...opening up the gaps where I used to have teeth. I just can't wait to get this started!!!

I went to my final consult today where I was given my official treatment plan. I am so happy to hear that I don't have to have surgery or have teeth yanked out. Thank God I didn't go with the other orthos!!!!!

I want to let you all know that I asked my ortho about the Sleepright night guard and he doesn't have a problem with me using it. He says to go ahead and use it but that it's flimsy and not at all like the others that mold to your teeth. But if it helps then he's all for it. Yay! I am going to give it a try to see how it feels and see how long it lasts. I should be getting braced on April 7th so I'll keep you all updated.

#12 Post by **Amarea** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:29 pm

I use a Splintek guard at night (got mine at Meijers for $40). They have 2 sizes, small and regular. The bite pads go between the back teeth and can rock when you move your jaw.

I have had literally every type of mouthguard out there. All the others except for the Splintek did not prevent the damage from grinding. The Splintek guard keeps me from being able to clench on my front teeth at all so it is preventing any more damage than what I've already done.

Also, I don't see why you couldn't wear it with braces. The pads go between the molars, the piece across the front goes down along your lower gumline which would place it below your brackets.

HTH!