233 Dodge St. Kaukauna, WI 54130
Why a Custom Fit Makes All the Difference
Many patients grind or clench their teeth without even realizing it, often during sleep, which can gradually wear down enamel, crack teeth, and lead to jaw pain or headaches over time. An occlusal night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the pressure of grinding and clenching before it can damage your smile.
At Kaukauna Family Dentistry, we design custom occlusal guards fitted precisely to your bite, offering a level of comfort and protection that generic store-bought guards simply cannot match. Patients throughout Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Little Chute, and Appleton trust our team to create a guard that fits securely and feels comfortable enough to actually wear consistently, night after night.
Ask About an Occlusal Night Guard
What Is an Occlusal Adjustment?
Grinding and clenching are often connected to how your teeth actually come together when you bite. Even a slight irregularity in your bite can cause certain teeth to hit with more force than others, leading your jaw muscles to compensate through grinding or clenching, especially during sleep. An occlusal adjustment is a treatment that identifies and corrects these irregularities, easing the underlying strain that a night guard alone can only protect against, not resolve.
The process of an occlusal adjustment is easy and convenient. Our dentist uses a computer scan to record hundreds of bite registrations per minute of your mouth, allowing even the slightest irregularity to be identified with precision. This lets us make only the necessary adjustments, gently reshaping specific contact points on your teeth so your bite comes together more evenly. In many cases, a night guard and an occlusal adjustment work well together. The guard protects your teeth in the short term while the adjustment addresses the bite imbalance contributing to the grinding in the first place.
Signs You May Need an Occlusal Guard
Many patients do not realize they grind their teeth until the signs become noticeable. You may be a good candidate for a custom occlusal guard if you experience:
- Waking up with a sore or tight jaw
- Frequent headaches, especially in the morning
- Visible wear, flattening, or chipping on your teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity without another clear cause
- A partner or family member who has mentioned you grind your teeth at night
- Existing cracks or fractures in your teeth without an obvious injury
How We Create Your Custom Night Guard
Getting a custom occlusal night guard is a simple, comfortable process from start to finish.
01
Evaluation of your bite and symptoms
We examine your teeth for signs of wear and discuss any symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, or sensitivity to determine if a night guard is right for you.
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02
Taking an impression or digital scan
We capture a precise impression or digital scan of your teeth, which serves as the exact model for your custom guard.
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03
Custom fabrication
Your guard is fabricated to match the unique shape of your teeth and bite, ensuring a secure, comfortable fit unlike anything available over the counter.
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04
Fitting and adjustment
Once your guard is ready, we check the fit in your mouth and make any small adjustments needed for comfort and function.
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05
Care instructions
We walk you through how to clean and store your guard properly, helping it last as long as possible with regular use.
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Night Guards vs. Store Bought Options
Store-bought boil-and-bite guards may seem like a convenient shortcut, but they often fit poorly, feel bulky, and can actually shift or fall out during sleep, making them far less effective at protecting your teeth. A custom occlusal night guard is molded specifically to your bite, distributing pressure evenly and staying securely in place throughout the night. Because it fits comfortably, patients are also far more likely to wear it consistently, which is ultimately what determines whether a guard actually protects your smile over time.
Benefits of an Occlusal Night Guard
- Protects enamel from the gradual wear caused by grinding and clenching
- Reduces the risk of cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth
- Helps relieve jaw tension, soreness, and morning headaches linked to clenching
- Fits precisely to your bite, unlike bulky, ill-fitting store-bought guards
- Made from durable materials designed to last with proper care
- Comfortable enough to wear consistently, which is the only way a guard can actually help
Protect Your Smile While You Sleep
If you are waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or noticing wear on your teeth, a custom occlusal night guard may be exactly what your smile needs. Patients throughout Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Wrightstown, and Freedom trust our team to create a guard built specifically for their bite.
Schedule a Consultation