Hello all,

I recently wrote in about grinding teeth at night.  I got some helpful
suggestions to ask my dentist for an occlusal guard.  I called my dentist
and he quoted me $260.00 for a mouthguard.  I called another dentist in
town and the price was $400.00.

I don't understand how the price could be so varied, so I am wondering if
the first price is for a mouthguard and the second for an occlusal guard?

If there is a difference in the appliance itself, what is it and how do I
know which one to purchase?  

any helpful comments appreciated,

regards,

I'd call both offices and ask what was involved with each.  I'd want as
much specific information as possible.  If you can get this and share it
with us I'm sure we could help you more.

kelly d. douglass, dds, ms

|>Hello all,

Did you ask for a quote on a "mouthguard" or an "occlusal guard"?
|>I recently wrote in about grinding teeth at night.  I got some helpful
|>suggestions to ask my dentist for an occlusal guard.  I called my dentist
|>and he quoted me $260.00 for a mouthguard.  I called another dentist in
|>town and the price was $400.00.

It seems to me that only your dentist can tell you this. By name alone
"occlusal guard"  vs.  "mouth guard",  suggests a difference.
|>I don't understand how the price could be so varied, so I am wondering if
|>the first price is for a mouthguard and the second for an occlusal guard?

|>If there is a difference in the appliance itself, what is it and how do I
|>know which one to purchase?  

|>any helpful comments appreciated,

|>regards,

BC

In answer to the question as to which appliance I asked for:

I merely called my dentist and asked for a mouthguard to protect my teeth
from my grinding at night.  I don't think that a client should have to
know the correct medical term for a procedure in order to get the proper
procedure for her/his situation.  That is the very reason a dentist goes
to school for so many years, and I am willing to pay her/him for her/his
serviecs.  I rely on my dentist to know what I need as much as I rely on
my doctor!

My question was whether there is such a thing as a 'mouthguard' that is
different in the service it provides than the 'occlusal guard' that was
kindly recommended on this newsgroup a short time ago.  Surely, my
dentist is not the only person who can answer that question?!  

In response to the suggestion that only my dentist can say for sure:

Suggesting that I rely solely on my own dentist for information about
my dental care is really not confidence building to me as a client.

However, I do appreciate the thoughtful input and the time it took to
respond.

sincerely,

Ask each dentist what you are getting for that cost.

One major problem I see over and over is that many dentists do not
eqilibrate the appliance. The instrument on which the appliance is
designed is incapable of duplicating the exact movement of each
patient's jaw. It can only simulate an average movement. The appliance
must be adjusted to insure all posterior (back) teeth contact at the
same time and pressure when you close down on it. Likewise, all
posterior teeth should lift at the same time when you move your jaw in
any direction. Another type design requires that all teeth stay in
contact when moving the jaw. The design depends on the circumstances
and the dentist's success with each.

Your dentist should give you some follow-up appointments to insure the
appliance is functioning properly.

Personnally I prefer hard, heat cured acrylic appliances, vice the
soft surfaced ones. It seems to me either type reduces tooth wear, but
a soft surface encourages chewing, as evidenced by the need to replace
them often. From my point of view, while grinding off the teeth is
eliminated, or reduced, the soft guard makes the TMJ and its
associated structures continue to be stressed, possibly resulting in a
TMD problem later.

Keep in mind you USUALLY get what you pay for. A dentist's EXPERT
experience and continuing education is worth the extra cost.