Many patients suffer tooth damage every year because of an injury or blow to the face. At Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we recommend that our patients wear a custom mouthguard for sports or teeth grinding.
Dr. James Furgurson is an experienced general dentist that offers these mouthguards that are custom made to fit to the exact shape and contour of your teeth. They offer more protection to your teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, lips, and face, especially when compared to store-bought kind. Dr. Furgurson also offers oral appliances resembling mouthguards as a sleep apnea treatment. If you need a mouthguard, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Durham, NC area dentist office to schedule your consultation today.
What Type of Mouthguard Do I Need?
Mouthguards custom-made by a dentist can be used for many things. Even though many mouthguards look the same, they all have different functions. Depending on the type you are having made, they can protect your teeth while participating in any sport, protect your teeth from night time grinding, and help keep your airway unobstructed so you can breathe without pause while sleeping.
Sports Mouthguard
Some sports (football, basketball, and lacrosse) require teeth protection by making the players wear a mouthguard. Dr. Furgurson strongly recommends using a custom mouthguard for children and adults. Custom sports mouthguards they better protection for your entire mouth. They also reduce your chances of suffering from a dental emergency.
A dental emergency can be traumatizing, costly, and painful. Mouthguards that you can buy from a store do not offer the same level of protection since. Store-bought mouthguards are not made just for you and your mouth.
TMJ Nightguard
People who suffer from bruxism should wear a night guard. This is a common condition in which you grind your teeth while sleeping. This nighttime grinding can lead to tooth damage that can be costly to repair. Many of our patients who suffer from a TMJ disorder will clench their jaw or grind their teeth and can greatly benefit from wearing one. Using a nightguard while sleeping will stabilize your bite and protect your teeth, gums, and jaw while you sleep.
Sleep Appliance
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where you stop breathing for a short amount of time in your sleep. The typical treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This bulky, invasive device is inconvenient for many patients since you have to wear a mask while sleeping and you are hookup up to a machine.
An alternative solution is to wear a custom made oral sleep appliance. An oral sleep appliance looks similar to a mouthguard. It works by keeping your airway open to allow for proper airflow and to reposition the tongue and jaw to maintain an open airflow.
Get a Custom Mouthguard
We are welcoming patients from Durham and beyond! Call today to schedule your consultation to see if you qualify for a custom made mouthguard. Our Durham, NC area dentist office can be reached at 919.736.6175 or you can schedule an appointment online.