A soft night guard lasts six to twelve months, a hybrid guard one to two years, and a hard guard two to three years. Heavy grinders sit at the short end of each range.
The guard is a wear part. Its job is to take the grinding so your enamel does not, and a guard that has done that job shows it.
| Guard | Typical life | Heavy grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Soft, 2 to 3 mm | 6 to 12 months | 3 to 6 months |
| Hybrid, hard shell, soft inside | 1 to 2 years | About a year |
| Hard acrylic, 1.5 to 2 mm | 2 to 3 years | 1 to 2 years |
| Drugstore boil and bite | A few months | Weeks |
A custom night guard is $119 an arch in any of the three builds, pressed on a model of your own teeth.
Saliva proteins and whatever you drank before bed soak into the plastic, and a guard that is stored wet in a closed case stains fastest. Light yellow is cosmetic and comes out with a weekly soak. Yellow plus a smell plus a rough surface means the plastic has broken down and it is time for a new one.
We keep your model, so a replacement guard does not need a new mold. Reorders from the saved model are 30 percent off with Mold Once. If your teeth have moved or you have had dental work, take a new mold instead.
Soft guards yes. Hybrid and hard guards every two to three years, sooner if you see cracks, holes or deep wear.
No. A crack lets the grinding through and the plastic keeps splitting. Replace it, from the saved model if your teeth have not moved.
Saliva and drinks soak into the plastic. Rinse every morning, dry it in the case, and soak once a week.
Holes, cracks, bite marks most of the way through, a loose fit or a smell that stays after cleaning.
Yes, a night guard is a dental appliance. Keep the itemized receipt and check with your plan administrator.