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Question
Hi!
I have been wearing a night guard now for a couple of months and can definitely feel an improvement in my jaw muscles. My question is this, how long can a nightguard last? It's only been a short time but I think on one side it's getting worn out.
Thanks
Rayanne,
It depends. The faster the appliance wears out, the more it was needed. A nightguard should be made of a plastic that feels hard to the touch, but is softer than the teeth. That way the teeth will wear the appliance rather than the other way around.
I've seen nightguards wear out in 6 months and I've seen them last more than 10 years. A 3-5 year life span is probably a good rule of thumb but there will be individual variation. The appliance may need to be fine tuned from time to time in order to keep the bite on the appliance in balance as it wears.
Best wishes,
Steve
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Answers by Expert:
- Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired
- Dr. Randolph Myerson
- Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD
- Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO
- Tony Appleton BDS DPDS
- Rafael Mosery,D.D.S.
- Jeff Dalin DDS
- Luis Granados DDS MS ESP.
- Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
- Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD
- Stephen J. Moss
- Crystal Baxter DMD< MDS
- Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com
- Dr Craig Peck ( B.Med.Sc., B.Ch.D., M.Sc., Clin. Botox, Cosmet. Derm.)
- Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD
- Susan Tannenbam
- Joseph Zelig, DDS, D.ABP www.smileinthecity.com
- Dr.Mike Glasmeier
- Larry Burnett DDS
- Ketan Amin, DMD
- Dr. Madhvendra T. Singh
- Simarjit kalra
- dr mayank kaurani BDS, MDS
- Mohamed Elsafi, DDS, MS, FACP
- Lawrence Gold
- Veselin Shumantov DDS
Steven C. Scherr, D.D.S.
Expertise
Comprehensive Dentistry, TMJ Dysfunction Therapy, and Cosmetic Dentistry. Nineteen years of experience including hospital residency (Sinai Hospital of Baltimore), and training at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Currently in private rehabilitative practice.
Experience
I was the Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School in 1981. I served as a General Practice Resident at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1981-82, and have been in private dental practice since that time. My practice is now located in Owings Mills, MD, a suburb of Baltimore. My studies at The L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida has enriched my practice and my patients. It was there that I learned the true meaning of excellence.
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