{"id":151,"date":"2021-09-27T15:51:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T15:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=151"},"modified":"2021-09-27T15:51:54","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T15:51:54","slug":"professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/","title":{"rendered":"The Important Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Patient smiling while holding up nightguard\" class=\"wp-image-152\" width=\"308\" height=\"205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg 1430w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Did your dentist ask you about teeth clenching and grinding at your last checkup? This common habit is usually a nocturnal one, which is why it often flies under the radar for years. That is, however, until your teeth begin to show signs of excessive wear and tear. Fortunately, that\u2019s where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/nightguards-for-bruxism.html\">nightguards<\/a> come in! This custom-made appliance can effectively protect your teeth as you sleep. However, after seeing the cost, you may be thinking of opting for an over-the-counter alternative instead. Here\u2019s why you shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Nightguards Are Important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially, clenching or grinding your teeth may not seem like much of a concern. However, it\u2019s important to note that, over time, this habit can result in jaw soreness, morning headaches, face pain, and fatigue. Not to mention the detrimental effects on the look and function of your teeth! Luckily, nightguards can protect your teeth from the excessive pressure of clenching and grinding, ensuring this habit doesn\u2019t become destructive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits of Custom Nightguards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Custom nightguards typically are more costly than over-the-counter alternatives \u2013 there is a good reason for that too! The personalized appliances are crafted from durable materials, which makes them last significantly longer. Additionally, they are designed to comfortably fit your unique bite, preventing them from becoming a choking hazard. Lastly, they are created with your unique dental needs in mind. For example, depending on your existing restorations, your dentist will create an upper or lower nightguard. That way, your teeth don\u2019t sustain any damage while you doze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Process of Getting a Custom Nightguard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting a custom nightguard starts with a trip to your dentist\u2019s office. During your appointment, they will take detailed impressions of your mouth. From there, the lab artisans will get to work on crafting your custom nightguard. After a few weeks, you\u2019ll return to pick them up! At this time, your dental team will show you how to wear and care for it properly, ensuring it will serve you well for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you chronically grind or clench your teeth, then a nightguard can protect both the look and function of your smile. So, don\u2019t gamble on a one-size-fits-all, over-the-counter one! Instead, invest in a custom one that will effectively preserve your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/\">University Dental Group<\/a>, our patients and their smiles benefit from the expertise of five exceptional doctors, including an Endodontist and Oral Surgeon! Thanks to their skill, training, and dedication to their craft, they can help patients with all kinds of oral health conditions, including chronic teeth grinding\/clenching! If you think you may need a nightguard or simply would like to schedule an appointment, don\u2019t hesitate to visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or give us a call at <strong>508-960-6495<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did your dentist ask you about teeth clenching and grinding at your last checkup? This common habit is usually a nocturnal one, which is why it often flies under the radar for years. That is, however, until your teeth begin to show signs of excessive wear and tear. Fortunately, that\u2019s where nightguards come in! This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"University Dental Group Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-09-27T15:51:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-09-27T15:51:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"universitydentalgroup\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"universitydentalgroup\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/\",\"name\":\"Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-27T15:51:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-09-27T15:51:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/53708c27d9a149063fad9bff20b716f7\"},\"description\":\"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg\",\"width\":1430,\"height\":954},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Important Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"University Dental Group Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/53708c27d9a149063fad9bff20b716f7\",\"name\":\"universitydentalgroup\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/39cb87539ded4f5da385f0466cbe6360?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/39cb87539ded4f5da385f0466cbe6360?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"universitydentalgroup\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/author\/universitydentalgroup\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental","description":"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental","og_description":"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/","og_site_name":"University Dental Group Blog","article_published_time":"2021-09-27T15:51:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2021-09-27T15:51:54+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"universitydentalgroup","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"universitydentalgroup","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/","url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/","name":"Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards l University Dental","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg","datePublished":"2021-09-27T15:51:52+00:00","dateModified":"2021-09-27T15:51:54+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/53708c27d9a149063fad9bff20b716f7"},"description":"Do you grind your teeth at night? Before you head to your local store, here\u2019s what you need to know about professional vs. OTC nightguards.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg","width":1430,"height":954},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/27\/professional-vs-over-the-counter-nightguards\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Important Difference Between Professional and OTC Nightguards"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/","name":"University Dental Group Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/53708c27d9a149063fad9bff20b716f7","name":"universitydentalgroup","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/39cb87539ded4f5da385f0466cbe6360?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/39cb87539ded4f5da385f0466cbe6360?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"universitydentalgroup"},"url":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/author\/universitydentalgroup\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions\/153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}