Dental stuff

[Ozz]

My incompetent Dentist told me I should have a night guard mouth-piece. For $425.00 I think not, at least not from him.
I have been surfing the Internet and saw many Dental labs that offer many different types and styles of them with prices varying from $69 to around $200. Looks just like the procedure the Dentist's office uses. The Dentist just sends them off to a lab anyway.
I also saw that they have 20 or so choices of drug-store units.
What say you learned and trustworthy souls about these things?

[exav8tr]

Jim, My DW had one made several years ago and it did not cost near that much. Having said this I would not have one made without having a dentist send in my dental models as they must be fairly precise or you can end up with temporal-mandibular problems (jaw problems if you don't already know this). Of course it depends on why you need it. If it is for snoring there are adjustments that must be made in the office and it realigns the jaw bones, (brings bottom jaw forward), making a precise fit imperative. For grinding, they just put a very small space between the teeth and need not be AS precise. You may be able to get one from the five and dime store, but I would be really leery of a cheap guard.

[ole dude]

The dentists I have been to want $650.00 for one of those things. Suggested I get one because I grind my teeth. Of course I grind my teeth--especially after a visit to their office. At this time I don't have one. May not have one next week either.

[Ozz]

Phil and ole dude,
Sue just paid $425 for hers.
As a businessman, I can see their costs; an office visit cost, their overhead probably $45-50.00, order the thing from the lab: $120-140, then the second office visit, another $45-50. The rest is their profit.
I can get the kit from them, then do the impression myself, send it in, pay the $120 to $160 lab cost and mailing fees, stick it in my own mouth when it comes in. I am going to try a good drug-store anti-grinding device to see if I will use it at night. Here is one lab:

http://teethnightguard.com/about-us.aspx

[oldelmer1]

I got one a long time ago, to get the impression of my teeth, they put the goo into my mouth. It gets way back in your mouth and 1/2 way down your throat, thought I was going to puke all over him. Dr says WIGGLE YOU TOES, WIGGLE YOUR TOES, this way, you think of something else instead of throwing up on him. YEAH RIGHT...

Paid $425 for this thing, and could not get use to using it. It now sits in the draw.

FOR SALE: slightly used night guard mouth-piece, asking $0.01 with free shipping.

[Ozz]

Ha! that is why I Think I will start with the $20.00 drug store one.
I have been in pain (versus being a usual pain) for a week since they ground down my rear Molar for the Crown they ordered. I have glued on the crappy tinfoil temporary Crown three times since they stuck it on and it fell off. Mumble mumble, I am eating asprin like candy.

[Waynem]

I took care of the grinding problem years ago.

The tops now go into a cup and stay in the medicine cabinet.

Drastic, but works well for grinders.

So you see, there is an alternative, just like growing old, but you probably will not like it.

[Rondo]

Have had one for a few years now but keep forgetting to put it in! It was not cheap but I've seen an ad on the TV about them and they are only about $20-30. Had them for the four years I played football in high school also but they were special made and I would chew throught them like candy while practicing and games. I think I'd go through 2-3 a season. Finally got the ones from the drug store and put in hot water to soften and then put in mouth to form around the teeth. They worked just as well and were a whole lot cheaper! Go with the drugstore ones Ozz and if you don't like them you then know you have to go with the doc's!

[Ozz]

Good advice Rondo. I printed off the coupon from the ones on TV.

[stiles watson]

Just like fixin' a car or and A/C unit. Work from the cheaper solution first.