Night/dental/mouth guard to prevent grinding?

Question

I was recently fitted for a dental guard for my night grinding. I was initially quoted (several times) $350-$400 and then when I went to pay they quoted me $675. First off, why are guards so expensive? I would never buy one over the Internet, but is it true what they say (at http://www.totalteethcare.com/night-guar… that "Dental labs charge dentists anywhere from $55 - $75 to make the night guard; then the dentists charge you anywhere from $300 - $1,900"? If so, why is it that way? If this is untrue, what justifies the guard's cost? thank you for any input.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Not sure of the markup. BUT, my dad had this problem and his Dentist, being an honest man, told my dad to just Bite his teeth together real tight for about 1 minute before going to sleep and it worked. Just have to remember to do it.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thanks for the unique answer

Answer 2

i dont know but you can go buy a sports mouth guard and they work the same and they are like 20 bucks

Answer 3

I've just started using a mouth guard too, due to teeth grinding and I paid my private dentist £40.00. This is about $70.00. I think you might have been ripped off slightly.

Edited to clarify: This dentist is not an NHS dentist - they are purely private and do not deal with National Health Service clients at all. I do not have any dental insurance so pay for all of my dental healthcare and checkups as I need them. The £40/$70 I paid the dental practice was for the imprint taking, manufacturing, refitting and instructive consultation of my mouthguard. No health insurance was involved in my purchase at all. Hence I still feel the prices in US are vastly overinflated. I sympathise with you but remember that lots of other things in the States are cheaper than in Great Britain. ;)

Answer 4

The first quote you received was about right, $675 is a bit over priced. I was fitted for one in November and my charge was $350.00, but I cancelled that due to on going teeth problems.

Source(s):

The quote I received at my dental office in Phoenixville, PA was $350

Answer 5

My dentist recommended I get a dental guard, too. I actually agree with him that I need one, as I can see the wear on my teeth and know that I grind them. However, I didn't get the guard because insurance won't pay for it and I didn't want to pay the $400 (est.) I was quoted for it. I solved the problem by going back to using the retainers I wore when I had braces as an adult-they never allowed my teeth to touch. I wonder if you could try the suggestion someone else gave and use a sports mouth guard?