Posted: 9/17/2012 2:08:36 PM EDT
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Are these a scam, or do they actually work?
The dentist is recommending I get a occlusal guard to keep me from grinding and wearing on my teeth. I am a bit skeptical. The last dentist I had would really push for veneers every visit. I like this current dentist a lot better, but I'm wondering if this isn't just another product that they like to push. If you've used an occlusal guard and it did or didn't make a difference, I'd like to hear what you have to say about it. Thanks! |
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I had one and it worked as advertised.
I had no problems adjusting to sleeping with it. After several months of sleeping with it I mention it to a woman at work. Turns out she had one when she was recovering from reconstructive surgery (drunk driver t-boned the car she was in and the side of her face and jaw were smashed). She went on to tell me how should could not make it through the night with the appliance and would take it out in her sleep. Guess what I started doing almost immediately after hearing her story? Yep. I started waking up in the morning and finding mine on the night stand, under the pillow, in my hand, half in my mouth and me chewing on it, etc. I finally had to give up on it. |
| I am a Dental Hygienist and work with appliances we make for people all day every day. Don't bother with the crap they sell in the store. A properly fitting occlusal appliance will protect your teeth, muscles and joints. It will not stop you from clenching and grinding, but it will protect you if you do. There are two schools of thought on hard appliances vs. soft rubber appliances. In my office, we primarily make hard appliances for patients, and occasionally soft guards for people playing sports. If your Dentist is seeing signs of wear on your teeth, an appliance is a good investment, and much less expensive and time consuming, than replacing broken, teeth, crowns, fillings, and or dealing with muscle or temporal mandibular joint issues. |