Night Guards in Gainesville, GA

General dentist Dr. Patrick B. Toms offers dental sleep medicine for patients with sleep disturbances, like bruxism and sleep apnea. At Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D., we see patients who need relief from disruptive sleep and who want to avoid negative health consequences of sleep apnea. You can do this without having to invest in costly solutions, such as medications or surgery. Dr. Toms can diagnose and treat you with oral appliance therapy called a night guard so that you can begin enjoying a better night’s sleep.

Custom night guards are made from high-quality materials that fit comfortably and improve the nature of your sleep by reducing jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or poor jaw positioning. To learn more about custom night guards at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D., set up an appointment at our Gainesville, GA office.

There are many signs that you may need to wear a night guard while you sleep. You may wake up in the morning with a headache, tightness or pain in your jaw, and facial swelling. Other signs are loosened teeth or fillings, chipped enamel on your back teeth, a receding gum line, and tooth sensitivity. Teeth grinding and clenching at night are typically caused by stress, but it may also be brought on by allergies, misaligned teeth, a sleep disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder (called TMD). We can also help patients who snore or have a form of sleep apnea. When Dr. Toms makes your diagnosis, he will also try to determine the cause so that your night guard therapy can be coupled with other treatments for the best possible outcomes.

After Dr. Toms diagnoses your condition, he will obtain digital impressions and digital x-rays of your teeth so your custom night guard can be created. Whether a device treats bruxism, sleep apnea, or snoring, it will commonly fall into one of two categories:

Tongue Retaining Devices
A tongue retaining device will keep the tongue in a forward position. This should prevent your tongue from making its way into the airway.

Mandibular Repositioning Appliances 
A mandibular repositioning appliance will reposition your lower jaw (the mandible) and help move the tongue into a more forward position. It will also keep the tongue muscles more rigid and stable.

Next, he will send your information to a dental laboratory where your specialized night guard will be crafted out of medical-grade materials. After your night guard is sent back to our office, you will come in to have it fitted. Dr. Toms may make small adjustments so that it fits comfortably. We will also give you instructions on how to properly care for your night guard so it will last many years.

For maximum night guard efficiency, you need to wear it each night. Your night guard should minimize or alleviate the discomfort and dental problems created by bruxism, but if not, please contact our office so Dr. Toms can look for additional issues and try other treatments. In order to help keep your mouth and night guard in great condition, we recommend that you clean and care for your teeth and guard before and after each use. Your night guard should be brought in to all future appointments so Dr. Toms can make adjustments or repairs as needed.

Some of the cost of your night guard or oral appliance therapy will likely be covered by your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance, our office will call to confirm your coverage and benefits. At your consultation, Dr. Toms will give you information about our accepted payment methods as well as your costs, with or without insurance. To make your treatment more affordable, Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. can also give you information on medical financing.

Night guards are a great option to lessen the sleepless nights caused by the unpleasant symptoms of jaw clenching, teeth grinding, snoring, or sleep apnea. Custom night guards from Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. can also improve your overall oral health and prevent future complications. If you think that this might be the remedy for you or you would like to learn more, contact our office in Gainesville, GA to book a consultation with Dr. Toms.