WHAT ARE OCCLUSAL GUARDS?
WHAT ARE BRUXISM APPLIANCES?

OCCLUSAL GUARDS or BRUXISM APPLIANCES are appliances custom made to fit and to protect teeth from excessive wear and/or damage from grinding or clenching.

Grinding and clenching can cause wear and damage, especially loosening and fracturing, to any posts, crowns, bridges, removable dentures, implants, fillings, any other dental treatment that you have had done, or natural enamel/tooth surfaces.

You must understand that if you are a grinder, any treatment to restore your teeth is more likely to be less successful than for those people who do not grind or clench their teeth. It is not possible, however, to predict if or when failure will occur.

WHAT ARE MOUTHGUARDS FOR?

MOUTHGUARDS are appliances are made to protect teeth and surrounding tissue from oral trauma during athletic or physical activities. The mouthguard can be prefabricated, stock, or custom made by a dentist. Custom fit ones have been shown to be more comfortable. For children, they must be changed as new teeth erupt. It is known that mouthguards can prevent serious injuries such as jaw fractures, neck injuries, concussions, and teeth fractures. Studies have reported that concussions can be decreased by almost 50% by wearing a mouthguard. Any activity where there is a strong chance for contact, it is recommended that the mouthguard be worn. Some activities to consider mouthguard use should include soccer, basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, field hockey, skiing and biking.

For more information http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp