A split down the middle, a corner snapped off, a guard the dog found: damage is often what brings people in. Custom nightguards in Acton start with checking your teeth and the appliance, then deciding whether repair, a new guard or another plan is right.
Guards wear out. They crack along thin edges, lose their grip or warp after a warm afternoon on a car dashboard. A custom nightguard is made from records of your teeth to protect them from clenching or grinding, and when one fails, the damage can sometimes show the clinician something about the forces involved.
Before anything is replaced, the teeth come first. Wear, chips and repairs are examined, and the clinician separates old changes from signs of current grinding. You'll hear whether a new appliance is likely to help, whether an adjustment or monitoring would do, and whether a tooth needs attention of its own.
If you're coming from Acton with a damaged guard, bring every piece in its case, along with any retainer or sleep appliance. Mention when the damage appeared and any dental work done since the guard was made. That lets us explain the options and plan the visits in one go.
A guard worn through in one spot, a clean break and a slow loss of fit point to different things. Describing how it happened helps the assessment.
Mention any teeth that feel rough, look shorter or have chipped since the guard was made. Ask whether the pattern suggests grinding forces or a separate problem. A guard covers the surfaces it touches, but it doesn't rebuild teeth or explain every type of wear.
Wear holes, thinning or cracks in a guard may hint at continuing clenching. Tell us about jaw tightness, sleep quality and anything others have heard. A replacement should still follow an examination, and any sleep diagnosis should be part of the conversation.
Bring the appliance whatever state it's in. Explain whether it cracked suddenly, wore through gradually or stopped fitting after dental work. The clinician can inspect it and recommend repair, replacement or another approach.
A new guard can protect teeth from further grinding damage, but it won't guarantee the habit stops or that jaw symptoms ease. Before replacing anything, ask what the appliance is expected to do.
A replacement custom guard is made from new records of your teeth, taking account of crowns, fillings and any changes since the last one. Ask whether the material or thickness should differ this time, and why. A clinical reason, not a stronger-sounding label, should guide the choice.
At the fitting you'll practise handling the new appliance and hear how to clean and store it. If your old guard broke while you were taking it out, mention it, since technique can matter. Report problems early so the new one doesn't follow the old into a drawer.
Ask what the wear or break on the old appliance suggests and whether the new design should change. Compare comfort, durability, cleaning and limits for any suitable materials. Thicker isn't automatically tougher, and softer isn't automatically kinder.
The clinician reviews how the guard sits and how your teeth meet it, and your comments on pressure matter. Ask which first-week sensations are normal and when to call. A guard that clicks firmly into place may still need adjusting.
Confirm when to wear it, how to care for it and when the next check falls. Mention pets, travel or anything that has caused damage before. Small changes to routine can help a guard last longer.
The visits and records depend on the appliance and on your dental condition. Ask what fees, preparation and follow-up apply, and whether the damaged guard is still safe to use in the meantime.
Describe what happened to the appliance, plus any wear, repairs or symptoms. The clinician looks at the guard and at the teeth and restorations beneath it, and checks whether something needs treating first. Planned dental work can affect fit, so mention it.
If the old guard can't be safely repaired and protection is still appropriate, the new design, material and coverage are discussed first. Ask whether impressions or a scan are planned. The advice shouldn't hinge on a particular system.
Seating, tooth contacts and comfort are checked, with professional adjustments where suitable. Practise putting it in and taking it out gently, and confirm the cleaning steps. Speak up about gagging or pressure at the appointment.
Bring the guard to reviews and describe how it's going. The team looks for cracks and thinning, and for any shift in your teeth or symptoms. New fillings or crowns can mean the fit needs another look.
Care depends on the guard's material and design. Ask which products are safe rather than borrowing tips meant for a different appliance.
Rinse and brush it the way you were shown and ask whether a cleaner suits the material. Skip hot water and other heat that could distort it. Check before using abrasive paste or bleach, and keep your own daily brushing and flossing going.
Keep the guard in a sturdy case, out of reach of dogs, young children and warm places, and never loose in a bag or pocket. Look it over for cracks each week. If it splits, call rather than gluing or filing it.
If the guard hurts, remove it and ring the clinic. Tell us about a bite that still feels unusual long after you take it out. Forcing it into place or wearing it longer won't solve a fit issue.
Patient information: Dorset County Hospital — care and heat precautions for dental guards · NIDCR — advice about painful intraoral appliances
Leave the fitting confident about what your guard is for and how to handle it. Bring questions about breakage, wear, cleaning and other appliances.
Call our Bronte Street practice about a cracked, worn or ill-fitting guard, or about new grinding concerns. We'll examine your teeth and the appliance, explain your options and plan a replacement and reviews if that's what you need.
Repair, replacement, design, material, visits and fees depend on assessment. A nightguard can't guarantee an end to grinding or prevent all future damage.
