Night guards can be made from many materials as long as they are healthy and provide a protection layer. The best material for your night guard depends on how severe your bruxism is. A more perverse bruxism requires a more rigid mouth guard, and there is no better option than acrylic.
It’s a transparent plastic balancing durability and ease of forming. The trick lies in the use of heat. Acrylic easily bends at higher temperatures, but an already molded mouthguard remains rigid for a long time. So, if your teeth are under constant pressure, an acrylic night guard might be just for you.
Highly Recommended Night Guards Crafted from Acrylic Material:
Are Acrylic Night Guards Safe?
Acrylic night guards, when crafted by expert labs, are completely safe. Brands like Remi and Pro Teeth Guard exemplify this standard. They offer warranties and money-back guarantees, signaling that brands have confidence in their production process. For example, Pro Teeth Guard in-depth review shows that it excels in this regard.
When making a night guard, acrylic undergoes a specific curing process. acrylic’s formability remains consistent within a 290°F to 350°F range, crucial for the thermoforming process. Such softening at 320F permits molding into diverse shapes, including night guards.
Expert dental labs employ clear, cold-curing acrylic resin shaped around a plaster cast of the patient’s teeth. The curing involves precise temperature control to ensure the material’s proper hardening and strength.
If this process fails, the night guard might not withstand the constant teeth grinding and clenching. The lifespan of night guards made from acrylic is highly dependent on this process.
Inadequate curing might lead to a poor fit, insufficient hardness, or breakage, compromising the guard’s protective function. Also, the curing process reduces all residues of unnecessary or even harmful chemicals that may also be used in the process.
Advantages of Acrylic Night Guards
While Acrylic has unique properties, the specific design of a night guard has an impact. The below advantages apply to Remi and Pro Teeth Guard. Other acrylic night guards might reflect different properties, even if they are also acrylic.
Durability: Acrylic’s resistance to wear and tear ensures that night guards can withstand prolonged use. It’s particularly important for those with heavy teeth-grinding habits or if you are using mouth guards with braces. You can be sure that the shape and structure will remain.
Comfort: The material conforms well to the contours of the teeth and gums. The reason for this balance between rigidity and flexibility is the acrylic’s capacity to be molded into shape under heat.
Protection from grinding and clenching: The strength of acrylic acts as a sturdy barrier absorbing and distributing pressure. It’s one of the main reasons dentists recommend night guards in the first place. Other materials used in night guards are more likely to break or change shape.
Maintenance: The best dental guards from acrylic are easy to clean. It’s resistant to bacteria and non-porous. Cleaning it with simple methods is enough to ensure better oral hygiene and longevity.
Precise Fit: The thermoformability of acrylic is the best choice for custom-fitted night guards. An acrylic night guard fit is ensured by molding it to the exact dimensions of an individual’s teeth.
Cost-Effectiveness: Soft acrylic options offer an economical solution for those seeking affordable night guards. Hard acrylic options are a bit more expensive, but being more durable, they still ensure a good dental night guard cost.
Why Acrylic Night Guards Might Not Necessarily Be a Good Option for You: The Reasons
While acrylic night guards offer numerous benefits, they may not suit everyone. Here, I outline only the drawbacks related to the use of acrylic. Look here for potential side effects of dental night guards in general.
For individuals requiring extra-thin guards, silicone options are often preferable. Acrylic, particularly in its harder form, tends to be slightly thicker. However, advancements in technology are already making acrylic night guards thicker.
The primary concern with acrylic night guards lies in potential allergic reactions. These are rare, as acrylic is generally non-allergenic. However, some individuals may have sensitivities to monomers or peroxides used in manufacturing these night guards.
Allergies to these substances typically involve stomach upset or skin irritation. While such reactions are uncommon, those with known sensitivities should exercise caution and, perhaps, consider alternative materials. Despite this, most users will find acrylic as a safe and effective choice.
Care and Maintenance of Acrylic Mouth Guard
Regular cleaning. acrylic mouth guard maintenance starts with daily cleaning. A soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap are enough for scrubbing away bacteria. After scrubbing, rinse the guard with cool water to remove any soap residue.
Proper storage. Keep your night guard in a clean, dry case when not in use. Most brands provide such cases to protect them from damage and stop bacterial growth.
Heat sensitivity. Acrylic can warp under high temperatures. Therefore, avoid exposing your night guard to direct sunlight or hot water, which can cause deformities or cracks.
Regular checkup. Periodically inspect your night guard for any wear, tear, or changes in fit. Make sure to look if there is a problem with your night guard turning yellow. Early detection of issues can prevent discomfort or reduce effectiveness.
Replacement. While acrylic night guards can last up to five years, they should still be replaced once they show signs of damage or if the fit changes.
Instructions on How to Make a Custom Hard Acrylic Night Guard
I purchased my first acrylic night guard from Remi’s website. I chose a subscription service. It offers the best value and ensures that you constantly get night guards, as I tend to tear them apart quite quickly.
The impression kit arrived within four days. The kit and clear instructions made taking dental impressions at home a breeze. It all took only about 10 minutes. Sending back the impressions was greatly aided by the added shipping label.
One of the notable features of making the impression was the ability to choose the thickness of the night guard. Options included 1mm, 1.3mm, and 2mm, allowing for a personalized comfort level.
I had several queries about the product while waiting for the finalized night guard to arrive. The support team at Remi was quick to respond with helpful answers. The final product arrived in about a week.
On receiving the night guard, I found it almost perfectly fitted my teeth, with the fit improving further over a few weeks of use. I provided more commentary on this night guard in my Remi custom night guard review.
Comparison with Other Night Guard Materials
Polyvinyl Acetate night guards contrast with acrylic ones in durability and flexibility. While they are more durable, they lack the flexibility and ease of molding characteristic of acrylic guards. This leads to discomfort for most users.
Polyurethane night guards provide a cushioning layer of rubber to increase the comfort of acrylic. The compromise between comfort and durability may match the balance found in acrylic guards. The problem is that they may not be rigid enough, which impacts their longevity.
Silicone night guards stand out for their moldability, which makes them great for over-the-counter dental mouth guards. They offer a relatively comfortable fit but fall short in lifespan compared to other materials. For heavy grinders, acrylic guards are preferable due to their superior durability.
Thermoplastic night guards are known for their self-adjusting properties when exposed to warm water. They are most frequently used for boil and bite options. However, compared to traditional hard acrylic guards, they may not offer the same level of durability, especially for heavy teeth grinders.
Conclusion
Acrylic night guards are a compelling blend of durability, comfort, and fit. Their ability to withstand heavy teeth grinding, coupled with their ease of maintenance, positions them as the best material for night guards. I recommend looking into options like Remi and Pro Teeth Guard if you are in the market for one.
