So you need a night guard for teeth grinding, TMJ, or teeth clenching. You'll want to know the average night guard cost and which mouthguards offer the best quality for the price.
In this article, we'll take a look at:
- Dentist night guard costs
- Custom mouthguard costs
- Over-the-counter occlusal guard costs
- Where to buy a night guard
We hope this information helps you find the best mouthguard for your budget and oral health needs.
You can pay $1,000s at the dentist for a custom night guard, or you can get the same quality custom-made night guards from Sporting Smiles for literally 100s less — and delivered straight to your door!
Options include:
Find out for yourself why Americans trust Sporting Smiles to protect their teeth from grinding and clenching, night and day!
Table of contents
How much do night guards cost?
A night guard costs anywhere from $10 to $1,000 depending on the type you get. The cheapest night guards are one-size-fits-all options that you buy online. Dentist night guards cost the most. And somewhere in between are custom-made order online night guards which provide the best in quality and affordability.
Night guard costs for different types
Mouth guard costs will depend on the type of guard you get, and from where you purchase it. If you purchase your night guard from your dentist, the cost of your night guard will be more expensive. If you opt for a one-size-fits-all guard that you can buy online, you will spend very little on your occlusal guards price.
There are also custom-made nightguards that can be ordered online, and the price for these will fall somewhere in between.
Let's have a look at the specifics of dental mouthguard costs.
Type | Fit | Price | Where to buy |
From the dentist | Perfect | $200 - $1,000 | From your dentist |
Custom-made (Sporting Smiles) | Perfect | $100 - $400 | |
Adjustable | Slight customization | ~$20 | |
Boil and bite | Slight customization | ~$25 | |
One-size-fits-all | Isn't made to fit your specific mouth | ~$10 |
Cost of a night guard from the dentist
You can purchase a night guard directly from your dentist. You will begin with an in-office consultation with your dentist. They will take impressions of your teeth, then send for a mouthguard, usually made from thermoplastic material, to be crafted in a dental lab.
These dentist-ordered guards can be adjusted for thickness based on the severity of your grinding or clenching. You may want to consider this option if you've already consulted with your dentist about your tooth grinding habits, or if your case is particularly severe and requires close, professional supervision.
Because you are paying for the night guard and for the services of your dentist, this is the most expensive option. The cost of a mouthguard from the dentist is anywhere from $200 to $1,000. However, the average cost is somewhere between $300 and $500.
The good news with this type of night guard is that your dental insurance plan will likely include coverage for night guards, as long as your dentist deems it medically necessary.
Custom mouthguard cost
Custom-made mail-order night guards cost less than the night guards you would get from your dentist. In many cases, they are an equally good solution for protecting your teeth from grinding and clenching.
If you want a custom mouthguard, you first order an impression kit online and then make your impressions at home. You'll then send your impression to a dental lab where technicians will custom make your guards.
The labs that these companies use to make your night guards are the exact same labs that dentists use, so you know you're getting a professional-quality product.
Once you receive your mouth guards in the mail, you can begin wearing them. When you need new ones, you can reorder them without having to make impressions again because the company usually keeps your information on file for your convenience.
The cost of these online, custom-made guards can range from $75 to $200 on average, depending on the brand and the level of protection you need.
There are three brands of custom-made nightguards that top our lists: Pro Teeth Guard, Smile Brilliant and Sporting Smiles.
Sporting Smiles
Sporting Smiles is a nationwide favorite when it comes to durable, comfortable, and affordable custom-made nightguards with a variety of fits and a price for every budget. Here's a quick look at what you can choose from:
- Flexible super hard: The strongest they offer for $100
- Flexible hard back cut: Trimmed for comfort, costs $105
- Dual laminate guard: Soft inner and hard exterior, $95
- Dual laminate back cut: Less noticeable for $100
- Soft grinding guard: Most comfortable, $90
- Hard grinding guard: Good for moderate clenching, $90
- Emergency night guard!: $345
Smile Brilliant
These night guards are custom-made in the United States. They are just 2mm thick and free of latex and BPA.
With Smile Brilliant, you can customize your night guard package based on your needs:
- Deluxe Package: 4 ultra-durable night guards for $179
- Moderate Package: 2 ultra-durable night guards for $159
- Intro package: 1 ultra-durable night guard for $129
Pro Teeth Guard
Pro Teeth Guard has a wide range of custom-made options as well:
- Hard Night Guard: This bad boy is built to handle heavy grinding. It's super durable, measuring 1.5mm thick. Price tag? $209.99. You can rely on it for long-lasting protection.
- Hybrid Night Guard: This one's a crowd favorite, and it's easy to see why. It's got a tough outer shell and a soft, comfy interior. At 2mm thick, it's perfect for moderate grinding. And guess what? It's only $189.99.
- Ultra Thin Daytime Guard: Want something that's practically invisible during the day? Look no further. This night guard is a mere 1mm thick, designed specifically for folks who clench their teeth in daylight. And the price? Just $179.99.
- Soft Night Guard: If you've got light to moderate grinding and clenching, this flexible night guard is your go-to. It's soft, comfy, and 1.5mm thick. And the best part? It's priced at $169.99.
To get started with these custom night guards, take the Pro Night Guard quiz to find out which is the best type for your needs.
Over-the-counter night guard price
These will be the cheapest night guards. While they may work for some people, many will find them to be too uncomfortable to wear throughout the night.
Adjustable night guards
Adjustable night guards are made from plastic that softens when placed in warm water. Once they are malleable, you place them in your mouth and bite down on them so they line up with your bite. You can adjust them as needed by sticking them in warm water again.
The adjustable mouth guard price generally hovers around $20, like this one from Bright Guard on Amazon.
Boil-and-bite night guards
Boil-and-bite night guards are placed in boiling water. You then bite down on them until the plastic has cooled so that it fits around your teeth. These typically can't be readjusted.
Boil-and-bite guards cost $20 to $30 on average, like this one from Serenity.
One-size-fits-all
This is the cheapest mouthguard that you can get over-the-counter or online. They aren't made to fit your mouth, which could potentially cause more damage to your teeth, including shifting and night guard pain.
That being said, there is a very small percentage of people for whom this mouthguard might work.
You can buy these online on Amazon, like this one by LORIOUS — a pack of 6 costs just $15.99 — but again, use it at your own risk.
Conclusion
If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws while you sleep, or even during the day, you should talk to your dentist about using a night guard. Night guards protect your teeth from enamel loss, which can cause pain, sensitivity, and decay.
Mouth guard prices range anywhere from $5 to $1,000. Within that range, there's a huge difference in quality, comfort, and efficacy as well. The cheapest mouth guards are one-size-fits-all options that you can buy online, and the most expensive options are those that you get directly from your dentist.
When choosing your mouthguard, keep in mind that by saving money now on one-size-fits-all options you may end up spending a lot more later on tooth repair.
For quality and price that can't be beat, our top pick is Sporting Smiles. Choose from a wide range of options depending on your needs and budget. Get started now by clicking the button below!
FAQs
How much is a night guard from the dentist?
A night guard from the dentist can cost from $200 to $1,000, although most tend to cost between $300 and $500. This is the most expensive option because you're paying for the dentist's services.
How much does a mouth guard for teeth grinding cost?
A mouth guard for teeth grinding can cost under $10 for the cheapest options and up to $1,000 at your dentist's office. You can also get high-quality, custom-made guards online starting at $75.
How much does a night guard for TMJ cost?
A night guard for TMJ will typically cost between $300 and $500 from your dentist. If you have a particularly severe case, it could cost you more. There are other options as well that cost less.
These include custom-made guards that you purchase online (which are high-quality, comfortable, and safe), or one-size-fits-all guards (although these aren't recommended).