General & Preventive Dentistry · Sacramento, CA
Custom Mouthguards & Nightguards in Sacramento, CA
Whether you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, a custom-fitted guard is the best protection your smile can get. We craft comfortable, durable mouthguards molded precisely to your teeth.
Unlike boil-and-bite guards from the store, a custom guard stays put, lasts longer, and is far more comfortable to wear.
What Are Custom Mouthguards & Nightguards?
A custom mouthguard is a protective appliance made from an exact model of your own teeth. There are two main types: a sports mouthguard, which cushions your teeth and jaw against impacts on the field or court, and a nightguard, which shields your teeth from the grinding and clenching (bruxism) that happens while you sleep.
The difference between a custom guard and a boil-and-bite guard from the drugstore is night and day. At Fulton Family Dental, Dr. Bhumika Kathiriya, DDS captures a precise iTero 3D digital scan of your teeth — no goopy impression trays — and your guard is fabricated to fit them exactly. The result stays put, allows normal breathing and speech, and is comfortable enough that you'll actually wear it, which is the whole point.
Nightguards do double duty: beyond protecting enamel, they reduce the muscle strain and jaw-joint pressure behind morning headaches and TMJ discomfort, and they protect the investment you've made in dental work like crowns and veneers — grinding is one of the most common reasons restorations crack.
Signs You May Need a Nightguard
Most people who grind their teeth have no idea they're doing it. Dr. Kathiriya often spots the evidence at a routine <a href="/dental-exams/">exam</a>. Watch for these signs:
- Waking up with a sore jaw, tight facial muscles, or dull morning headaches
- Teeth that look flattened, worn down, or shorter than they used to
- Chipped or cracked teeth — or repeated damage to fillings and crowns
- Tooth sensitivity from enamel worn thin by grinding
- A partner who can hear you grinding at night
- Clicking, popping, or soreness in your jaw joint (TMJ)
- You (or your kids) play basketball, soccer, martial arts, or any contact sport — a sports mouthguard is the single best protection against a knocked-out tooth
Why Sacramento Patients Choose Our Custom Guards
Digital Precision Fit
iTero 3D scanning replaces goopy impression trays and produces a guard that fits your teeth exactly — snug, slim, and secure.
Built for Your Situation
Heavy grinder or weekend athlete, we match the guard's material and thickness to how you'll actually use it.
Comfort You'll Sleep In
A guard only works if you wear it. Ours are trimmed, polished, and adjusted until you can sleep — or play — without noticing it.
UCLA-Trained Dentist
Dr. Kathiriya draws on 16+ years of experience to check your bite, jaw joints, and wear patterns — not just hand you an appliance.
Getting Your Custom Guard: What to Expect
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Exam & Bite Evaluation
We assess your teeth, jaw joints, and wear patterns to confirm which type of guard — and what thickness — will serve you best.
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Digital 3D Scan
A quick, comfortable iTero scan captures an exact model of your teeth and bite in minutes, with no impression trays.
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Precision Fabrication
Your guard is crafted from durable, professional-grade material shaped precisely to your scan.
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Fitting & Fine-Tuning
At delivery we check the fit and your bite, make fine adjustments, and send you home with simple care instructions — and a comfortable guard you'll actually use.
Caring for Your Mouthguard or Nightguard
With good care, a custom guard typically lasts several years — though heavy grinders may wear through sooner, which is itself useful evidence of how much force your teeth were absorbing. Bring your guard to your regular checkups so we can inspect the fit and wear and adjust it as needed.
Make your guard last:
- Rinse it with cool water and brush it gently after every use — hot water can warp the material
- Store it dry in its ventilated case, out of reach of pets (dogs find them irresistible)
- Never leave it in a hot car, and don't chew on it
- If it cracks, loosens, or your bite changes after new dental work, give us a call for an adjustment
Custom Mouthguard Cost & Insurance in Sacramento
The cost of a custom guard depends on its type, material, and thickness. Many PPO dental plans offer coverage toward a nightguard when there's documented evidence of grinding or bruxism — and considering that grinding can crack teeth, destroy restorations, and lead to root canals or implants, a nightguard is one of the smartest protective investments in dentistry.
At our Arden-Arcade office we verify your benefits before treatment and give you a clear written estimate, so there are never surprises. Sports guards for kids and adults are affordable out of pocket — call (916) 929-3737 and we'll go over your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a custom mouthguard better than a boil-and-bite guard from the store?
Fit, protection, and comfort. Store-bought guards are bulky, shift around, and wear out quickly — so most people stop wearing them. A custom guard is made from an exact 3D scan of your teeth, stays securely in place, lasts years, and distributes grinding or impact forces evenly the way it's designed to.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Look for morning jaw soreness, headaches, sensitivity, or flattened tooth edges — or ask your partner if they hear it. Grinding leaves telltale wear patterns that Dr. Kathiriya can spot at a routine dental exam, often before you've noticed anything yourself.
Can a nightguard help with TMJ pain and headaches?
Often, yes. Clenching and grinding overwork your jaw muscles and compress the jaw joints, which shows up as morning headaches, facial tension, and TMJ soreness. A properly fitted nightguard reduces that strain by cushioning the bite and keeping the joint in a more relaxed position. If symptoms persist, we'll evaluate further.
Will I actually be able to sleep with a nightguard in?
Yes — that's the advantage of custom. Most patients adjust within a few nights because the guard is slim, smooth, and molded precisely to their teeth. If anything feels off at first, come back in; small adjustments make a big difference.
How long does a custom nightguard last?
Typically several years with good care, though heavy grinders may wear through sooner. We check your guard at regular visits and will let you know when it's time for a replacement — a worn-through guard means it's been doing its job instead of your enamel.
Does my child need a sports mouthguard?
If they play any sport with contact, collisions, or flying equipment — absolutely. Dental injuries are among the most common sports injuries, and a knocked-out tooth is a lifelong repair project. A custom guard protects teeth, lips, and jaws, and kids wear them more consistently because they fit comfortably.
Is a nightguard covered by dental insurance?
Many PPO plans provide coverage toward a nightguard when grinding or bruxism is documented, though benefits vary widely by plan. We verify your specific coverage and give you a written estimate before treatment, so you'll know your cost up front.
I already cracked a tooth from grinding. What now?
Two steps: repair the damage, then protect against the next one. Depending on severity, a cracked tooth may need bonding or a crown — often possible in a single visit with our in-office milling. Then a nightguard protects the repair and the rest of your teeth. Book online or call (916) 929-3737 to get started.
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Protect Your Smile
Get fitted for a custom mouthguard or nightguard at your next visit.