Occlusal Guard Types

Many drug stores and online retailers sell stock mouthguards, also referred to as an over-the-counter appliance. These are often ill-fitting and can be bulky. They have been linked to creating harmful occlusal changes in individuals and other problems.

Because unsupervised tooth movement is not advisable and because bruxism can often be a long-term problem, a customized occlusal guard with proper regular dental visits is imperative to manage this condition properly.

The question then becomes what type of occlusal appliance is best. Of course, these appliances do not stop the occurrence of bruxism or clenching; instead, they help to limit parafunctional activities by redirecting them to the occlusal mouth guard rather than the tooth.

There seems to be evidence that dental occlusal guards can be useful in protecting patients from further harm with proper medical supervision. Primarily, these guards can be categorized into three types: hard, soft, and dual-laminated.