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The mouth is often called the gateway to the body, serving essential functions beyond chewing and speaking. It plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health, directly impacting our overall well-being. Regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups are fundamental for maintaining oral hygiene.
However, the mouth can still be susceptible to damage even with proper care. Habits like grinding or clenching, often exacerbated by stress or occurring during sleep, can exert significant pressure on the teeth, leading to wear and tear over time. The purpose of a mouth guard is to protect against excessive forces, therefore investing in a dental mouth guard is a wise choice!
What are the types of mouth guards in Singapore?
There are three main types of mouthguards widely available in Singapore.
1) Stock Mouth Guards
These are pre-formed and can be purchased off-the-shelf. They come in standard sizes (small, medium, large) and are ready to use immediately. They are usually the cheapest option but offer the least protection and comfort.
However, because they are not customised, over-the-counter or stock mouth guards may not fit well. This can cause discomfort and difficulty breathing or speaking, resulting in less effective protection.
2) Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
They offer a middle ground between stock and custom mouth guard for teeth grinding. They are made from a thermoplastic material that softens when heated in hot water. Once softened, you bite into the mouth guard to fit it around your teeth. However, this process requires some effort to mold and may need to be repeated for a satisfactory fit. They are slightly more expensive than stock mouth guards.
They are less durable than custom mouth guards and may require more frequent replacement. While better than stock options, they still will not provide the same level of fit and comfort as custom ones.
3) Custom Fit Mouth Guards
They are custom-made by a dentist based on a dental impression of your teeth. They provide the best fit and protection, ensuring comfort during wear. They are also made from high-quality materials, making them more durable and long-lasting.
However, they are notably more expensive than other types of mouth guards. To protect your teeth from damage, investing in a custom-fit mouthguard is crucial. While stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a basic level of protection, they might not provide the same long-term benefits as a professionally made sports mouth guard.
Protecting your teeth is crucial, especially if you grind them at night. While the upfront cost of stock mouth guards may seem appealing, they often provide inferior protection due to their generic fit.
Issues like jaw pain, grinding or clenching your teeth (night guard), or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can significantly impact your dental health. A mouthguard helps to safeguard your teeth and mouth from those impact. Additionally, a mouth guard is also important when you are engaging in contact sports. These mouthguards may all look similar but they serve different functions. A dental professional can help you choose the right type of mouthguard for your needs, whether it's for sports or even to manage sleep apnea.
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Custom mouth guards come at a higher initial cost but they can save you money in the long term by reducing the risk of dental injuries that could result in costly treatments. Ultimately, investing in a custom mouth guard is a good decision to protect your teeth and overall oral health.
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What are the factors affecting cost of custom mouth guards in Singapore?
The cost of mouth guards in Singapore depends significantly on whether they are purchased over-the-counter or custom-made. Custom options are more expensive but offer better fit and protection. Several factors influence the cost of custom mouth guards in Singapore.
Custom fit mouthguards are designed to reduce wear and tear on your jaw muscles and minimise dental injuries, making them a worthwhile investment despite the higher cost. Here are a few reasons why it's worthwhile to invest in one.
- Quality of Material - Custom mouth guards can be made from a range of materials and the material chosen can significantly influence the mouth guard's effectiveness, comfort, durability and cost. At Dental Designs Clinic, we prioritise all of these factors in our mouth guards. We source our materials from Europe, known for its stringent quality standards. This ensures that our mouth guards offer optimal protection and longevity, making them a valuable investment for our patients' oral health.
- Technology Used - Integrating advanced technologies, such as digital scanning and 3D printing, into the fabrication of mouth guards can increase the overall cost. However, these technologies offer substantial benefits compared to traditional approaches, particularly in terms of precision and fit. At Dental Designs Clinic, we offer three different fabrication options for mouth guards. The DuraMax is milled for precise fitting, the Dura3D is 3D printed and the DuraAir is vacuum-formed. Each option caters to different needs and preferences, ensuring optimal comfort and protection.
- Function - Mouth guards can be designed for various purposes, which can affect their cost. Some are designed solely for basic protection against teeth grinding, while others serve both protective and therapeutic functions. Mouth guards providing only protection are simpler and may be cheaper than those serving dual purposes. For example, our DuraMax and Dura3D mouth guards are designed to serve dual purposes.
Mouth guards cost at Dental Designs Clinic
We offer a variety of custom mouth guards tailored for teeth grinding, with prices ranging from $632.20 to $997.35. These options cater to different levels of teeth grinding intensity, ensuring you find one that fits your needs and budget while providing optimal protection, durability and comfort.
Additionally, we offer sports guards that are designed to protect your teeth during physical activities. We also provide mouth appliances for sleep apnea, which are designed to help alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea.
Find out more about the different mouth guard cost in Singapore. Ready to book an appointment? Just drop us a message here and we will be happy to help!
WhatsApp us at : +65 8200 9092
References
- Bereznicki, T., Barry, E. & Wilson, N. Unintended changes to the occlusion following the provision of night guards. Br Dent J 225, 715–722 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.869
- Karakis D, Dogan A, Bek B. Evaluation of the effect of two different occlusal splints on maximum occlusal force in patients with sleep bruxism: a pilot study. J Adv Prosthodont. 2014 Apr;6(2):103-8. doi: 10.4047/jap.2014.6.2.103. Epub 2014 Apr 22. PMID: 24843394; PMCID: PMC4024553.