At Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we believe your smile deserves the best protection possible. Our custom mouthguards provide superior comfort and protection compared to store-bought options. Dr. Chris Hardin can create a custom sports mouthguard for you or your child in Indianapolis, IN, as part of his general dental services. He creates personalized mouthguards that fit perfectly and provide optimal protection for each patient’s unique smile.
What is a Custom Sports Mouthguard?
A custom mouthguard is a protective device designed to fit perfectly over your teeth. Unlike one-size-fits-all store-bought options, our mouthguards are created specifically for your mouth using dental impressions taken in our Indianapolis dental office. This ensures a secure, comfortable fit that stays in place when you need it most.
Sports mouthguards protect your teeth, gums, and jaw during contact sports and physical activities. Mouthguards provide the right level of protection when and where you need it. Mouthguards also reduce the prevalence of the following injuries:
- Cheek lesions
- Concussions
- Gum and soft tissue injuries
- Jawbone fractures
- Lip lesions
- Neck injuries
- Tongue lesions
- Tooth fractures
Benefits of Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards have many advantages over store-bought ones. Because they’re made to fit your mouth exactly, they stay in place without needing you to clench your teeth. This makes it easier to talk, breathe, and drink while wearing them.
A better fit also means better protection. Custom mouthguards help protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injuries during sports.
Our mouthguards are made from high-quality materials, so they last longer and hold their shape better than store-bought ones. Since they’re more comfortable, you’re more likely to wear them regularly, which helps keep your smile safe.
Athletes often play better with a custom mouthguard because they don’t have to worry about it moving around or feeling uncomfortable. Plus, you can communicate with your team more easily without needing to take it out, which can give you an advantage during the game.
The Process of Getting a Custom Mouthguard
Getting your custom mouthguard at Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is a simple process:
- Initial Consultation: We’ll discuss your specific needs and determine which type of mouthguard is right for you.
- Dental Impressions: We take precise impressions of your teeth to create a model of your mouth. This painless process only takes a few minutes.
- Custom Creation: Dr. Hardin sends your dental impressions to a local dental lab, where skilled technicians create your mouthguard using high-quality materials specifically chosen for your needs.
- Final Fitting: When your mouthguard is ready (typically in 1-2 weeks), you’ll return to our office for a final fitting. We’ll ensure it fits perfectly and make any necessary adjustments.
- Care Instructions: We’ll provide detailed instructions on how to care for your mouthguard to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Caring for Your Custom Mouthguard
To keep your mouthguard in top condition:
- Rinse it with cool water before and after each use
- Clean it regularly with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
- Store it in a ventilated case when not in use
- Keep it away from heat, which can warp the material
- Bring it to your regular dental checkups so we can inspect it for wear and tear
Custom Mouthguards vs. Store-Bought Options
While store-bought mouthguards may seem convenient and less expensive, they can’t match the benefits of a custom-fitted mouthguard.
You can buy a stock mouthguard directly off the shelf. The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning that that the mouthguard doesn’t adjust. Stock mouthguards are very cheap, easy to fit, and quick to locate at sporting goods stores. But it provides minimal protection, obstructs proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.
Boil-and-bite mouth guards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores. First, you have to boil the mouthguard in hot water to make it pliable. Then you have to press it onto your child’s teeth to create a custom mold. Boil-and-bite mouth guards are slightly more expensive than stock mouthguards. While these mouthguards seem more custom-made, the plastic can also feel more bulky in the mouth.
Store-bought mouthguards are designed to fit everyone, which means they don’t fit anyone perfectly. They often feel uncomfortable and difficult to wear consistently. Many people find themselves constantly adjusting them or clenching their teeth to keep them in place.
Customized mouth guards offer the greatest degree of protection, and are custom-made by our dentist. While they may cost more at first and take longer to fit, they’re more comfortable, orthodontically correct, and fully approved by our dentist. Custom mouthguards fit perfectly, stay in place without clenching, and provide superior protection.
Schedule Your Custom Mouthguard Consultation Today
Protect your teeth with a custom mouthguard from Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN. If you’re an athlete looking for superior protection during sports, our team is here to help.
Contact our office today at 317-830-0073 to schedule your consultation. You can also request an appointment online.