Dental Mouthguard Services in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK

A mouth guard serves as a cover placed over the teeth to prevent damage or injury. There are two main categories of mouthguards: medical and sports. While both types safeguard your teeth, they differ in appearance, feel, and specific purposes. Determining the most suitable mouthguard for you is best left to the recommendation of your dentist or healthcare professional.

Primarily utilized as a preventive measure against dental trauma, mouth guards are commonly associated with contact sports. However, they can also be employed in situations where the risk of trauma to the mouth and jaw area exists.

It’s essential that your mouth guard adequately covers either your upper or lower teeth and gums, ensuring proper alignment of your jaws. Beyond tooth protection, mouthguards also shield the soft tissues surrounding the mouth.

Ready-made sports mouthguards are available, however, they may be ill-fit and are likely to provide less protection than their medical counterparts.

Custom-fit medical mouthguards, tailored by a dentist at Four Corners Dental Group and based on an impression of your mouth, offer optimal fit, protection, and comfort. Crafted from a cast model of your teeth, these mouthguards are highly durable.

Another variant, the night guard, functions as an oral appliance designed to prevent tooth damage and wear resulting from grinding or clenching. Rather than teeth grinding against each other, causing premature wear, they interact with the acrylic night guard, providing a protective barrier.

How long mouthguards last depends on the type of mouthguard you choose. Patients who elect for a medical mouthguard at Four Corners Dental Group will find they are far more durable than ready-made alternatives. Your reason for wearing a mouth guard and your consequent frequency of usage will also play a role in determining how long the mouth guard will last.

As an example, if you use a mouth guard for sports, you would typically wear it only during play. Conversely, if you require a mouth guard to address teeth grinding, you’ll probably need to wear it nightly while sleeping.

The varying usage results in varying degrees of wear, which impacts how long your mouth guard will last. Typically, with proper care, a medically custom-made mouthguard can last for several years. Patients must bring their mouthguards with them to their regularly scheduled dental checkups so they can be examined by their dentist for wear.

Whether or not the cost of mouthguards is covered by insurance will vary depending on each patient’s circumstances and insurance policies. However, insurance will often cover some of the cost of mouth guards, as they are considered preventative oral health care, particularly when they are deemed medically necessary by your dentist.

Night guards for bruxism, for instance, will commonly fall under this category. You can request an estimate for the expense of a custom mouthguard through your provider to determine the extent of available coverage. Major insurances, including Alaska Medicaid, Blue Shield, and Cigna, are accepted by Four Corners Dental Group.

The cost of a dental mouthguard can vary; however, it typically ranges from $300 to $800. Despite the relatively high upfront cost, many patients find mouthguards to be a worthwhile investment due to their ability to minimize the risks of more serious dental injuries.

Individuals who grind their teeth at night or participate in sports are susceptible to a host of oral health issues without a mouth guard. These issues can turn into serious health problems, necessitating more costly interventions down the road.

Mouth guards protect your teeth from sports injuries or bruxism. Dental mouthguard services are available at Four Corners Dental Group. For more information, contact us, or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK. We serve patients from Anchorage AK. Wasilla AK, Knik-Fairview AK, Meadow Lakes AK Campbell AK, Spenard AK, and the surrounding areas!