Night guards & occlusal splints · Bayside Melbourne
Night guards and occlusal splints in Cheltenham
A night guard, also called an occlusal splint, is a custom-made shield worn over the teeth at night. It is designed to absorb the load of grinding and clenching so that force is taken by the splint rather than by your teeth, fillings and crowns. Park Road Dental makes them at 155 Park Road, Cheltenham, after a clinical assessment. Call (03) 9584 4949.
What a night guard is for
Grinding and clenching — sometimes called bruxism — puts sustained force through the teeth, often during sleep when you have no awareness of it. Over time that force can wear down biting surfaces, chip enamel, fracture fillings and crowns, and contribute to jaw muscle soreness.
A splint does not stop the habit. What it does is put a hard, custom-fitted layer between the upper and lower teeth, so the wear happens to a replaceable piece of acrylic instead of to your enamel. It also changes how the jaw closes, which some people find eases muscle tension.
Signs worth mentioning to us
People are often unaware they grind, and the first sign is something a dentist notices at a check-up: flattened or shiny wear facets on the back teeth, small chips along the biting edges, or fillings that keep failing on one side.
Things you might notice yourself include waking with a tight or tired jaw, headaches around the temples in the morning, teeth that feel sensitive without an obvious cause, or a partner mentioning a grinding sound at night. None of these confirm bruxism on their own, which is why the assessment comes first.
How your splint is made
We start with an examination to check that grinding is the likely cause of what you are seeing, and that there is nothing else that needs treating first — an untreated crack or an unstable bite changes the plan.
If a splint is appropriate, we take a digital scan of your teeth and the splint is made to that scan. At the fitting appointment we check that it seats accurately, adjust the contact points so the bite is even across the splint, and show you how to insert and remove it. Most people take a week or two to get used to sleeping in one.
What a splint will not do
A splint protects teeth from wear. It is not a treatment for the underlying cause of grinding, which can be related to stress, sleep, medications or airway issues, and it will not straighten teeth or permanently change your bite.
If your grinding is associated with snoring or disturbed sleep, that is worth raising — a different type of appliance may be relevant, and that starts with a medical assessment rather than a dental one. Our snoring and sleep apnoea page explains how that pathway works.
Looking after it
Rinse the splint under cold water after each use and brush it gently with a soft brush and plain soap rather than toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to dull the surface over time. Store it dry, in its case, away from pets — dogs find them very appealing.
Bring the splint to your check-ups so we can inspect it for wear and confirm it still fits. How long a splint lasts varies considerably with how heavily you grind; some last many years and some need replacing much sooner.
Cost and health funds
A custom occlusal splint is $590. That price covers the splint itself, made and fitted after a clinical assessment confirming it is appropriate; the assessment appointment is separate.
All major Australian health funds are accepted and claimed on the spot, so if your extras cover includes a splint you pay only the gap on the day. What you get back depends on your fund, your level of cover and your remaining annual limit — see our health funds page for how claiming works here.
Night guards FAQs
Will a night guard stop me grinding?
No. A splint is designed to protect the teeth from the forces of grinding rather than to stop the habit itself. Grinding can be related to stress, sleep quality, medications and other factors, and those sit outside what a splint addresses.
How much does a night guard cost?
A custom occlusal splint is $590. That covers the splint, made and fitted after a clinical assessment; the assessment appointment is charged separately. Health fund rebates depend on your level of extras cover.
How long does a splint last?
It varies a great deal depending on how heavily you grind. Bring it to your regular check-ups and we will check it for wear and fit, and let you know when it is getting close to needing replacement.
Can I get a night guard from a chemist instead?
Over-the-counter guards are moulded at home rather than made to a scan of your teeth, so the fit and the way the bite meets across the guard are less precise. Whether that matters depends on your situation, which is what the assessment is for.
Book a night guard assessment in Cheltenham
New patients are welcome and no referral is needed. We are open six days, including Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with on-site parking.
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