How Much Does a Dental Night Guard Cost?

Stress and a host of health conditions can take a toll on your teeth. If you suffer from teeth grinding, you may find yourself in the market for a dental night guard. 

A dental night guard is a small device you can wear while you sleep to help protect your teeth from the forces of grinding and clenching (also known as bruxism). It can also help with related symptoms such as:

• Excessive enamel wear on your teeth

• Jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

• Morning headaches

Your dentist may have recommended a night guard. A surprising number of conditions are associated with teeth grinding, including:

• Anxiety

• Sleep disorders

• Abnormal bite

• Missing or crooked teeth

• Alcohol and tobacco use

Kids may experience bruxism, too. But night guards are not recommended for young children, since the guards can stunt tooth growth and alignment. Be sure to speak with your dentist before getting a night guard for your child, as many night guards are only FDA cleared for ages 18 and up.

Keep in mind that dental night guards are different from teeth aligners like Invisalign. Aligners help straighten your teeth, while night guards help protect your teeth. You can’t have both at the same time, but if you have aligners, you may get an extra benefit of cushioning your teeth from the harmful effects of grinding and clenching.

Different types of night guards are used for different dental issues. Read on to see what type of guard may best fit your needs and budget.

What costs are involved in getting a dental night guard?

There are a few costs to consider before getting a night guard.

• Dental exam: Ideally, you would get a dental exam to know the severity of your bruxism and to see which night guard would be best for you. If you have dental insurance, an exam may be required to make sure a night guard is medically necessary.

• Out-of-pocket costs: If you have dental insurance, find out if your policy covers a night guard and if so, how much of the cost it will cover. Many dental plans only cover a portion of the cost, leaving you to pay the rest out of pocket.

• Replacement costs: You should also account for replacement costs. If your night guard breaks, cracks, or gets holes, you will have to replace it. Most insurance plans only cover one guard every certain period of time. For example, a Delta Dental PPO only covers one night guard every 5 years.

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If you decide to forego a night guard, you may be at risk for causing more damage such as fractures to your teeth. To fix this, you may need an expensive procedure such as a crown or root canal.

Night guard costs vary depending on where you buy it:

• From your dentist: The guard can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 depending on your insurance. You may have to pay a deductible plus your copay or coinsurance for the dental exam and the fee for the appliance. The fee typically covers services such as dental staff taking the impression and sending it out to a laboratory for fabrication.

• Online retailers: Custom night guards from online retailers can range anywhere from $50 to $200. Retailers like Pro Teeth Guard, Cheeky, and Chomper Labs, first send you an impression kit so you can design your own custom night guard at home. Some give you the option to “subscribe” and get a kit every few months or make a one-time purchase. Most dental providers recommend changing your night guard every 3 to 5 years or if it becomes ill-fitting, discolored or damaged with cracks or holes.

• Over-the-counter (OTC): OTC night guards are available at retailers such as Target, and CVS, for an average of $20 to $30. However, these guards are not custom fitted to your teeth and come ready to wear as a one-size-fits-all product.

What types of night guards are there? 

There are three main types of dental night guards. All are available through a dentist, online retailers, or in stores:

• Soft: These guards are made of soft rubber and feel flexible. They are best for mild bruxism, or jaw clenching, and not for excessive teeth grinding. 

• Hard: These guards are made of hard acrylic and don't feel flexible in your mouth. They are used for more severe cases of bruxism that include extreme teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

• Dual laminated: These guards are made of soft rubber on the inside and hard acrylic on the outside. They are designed to protect your teeth while feeling comfortable in your mouth. 

As for the cost, the soft night guards are typically the least expensive, especially over-the-counter.

The most expensive dental night guard would be one that is dual laminated and custom made from a dentist. These can cost up to $1,000, but most range $300 to $500.

Are OTC mouth guards worth the savings? 

In short, no. OTC night guards can be appealing, as they are the least expensive and time-consuming option. However, the savings may not be worth it in the long run.

OTC night guards are one-size-fits-all products. If mouth guards are not properly fitting, they can cause further damage to your teeth and mouth such as your tooth breaking or increased grinding. OTC guards will not cater to your specific needs. Whereas a custom guard will be fitted to your mouth and made with your concerns in mind. OTC guards also have a shorter lifespan, meaning you would spend money on replacements much more often than on a custom guard.

If you want to see significant results from a night guard, OTC guards may not be your best choice.

Is a night guard covered by insurance? 

Yes. Night guards are typically covered by your dental insurance as long as your dentist determines they are medically necessary. You will need to visit the dentist regardless to determine the severity of your bruxism. However, the amount of coverage you have depends on your insurance plan. 

United Healthcare Dental coverage guidelines suggest 1 night guard every 36 months. Delta Dental PPO of Oregon & Alaska only covers one night guard every 5 years, up to $150. If your night guard costs more than $150, you will need to pay for the rest out of pocket.

Typically, dental plans cover night guards at 50% of the allowable amount. But, there are other factors that go into this as well, such as whether your provider is in or out of your insurer’s network. 

To find out if your dental plan covers a night guard, call the member service number on your insurance card, or log into your account online to see what devices are covered. Your dentist’s office often can help you with coverage information, too.

Is a night guard HSA eligible?

Yes. Dental night guards are eligible for reimbursement with your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). 

The IRS considers an occlusal guard HSA eligible if used to prevent teeth from grinding, no matter where you buy it. Most retailers will allow you to pay for the night guard using your HSA card.

What are the most recommended and least costly night guards?

Any type of custom night guard is a good option, but custom-made guards are also usually the most expensive option — especially if bought from the dentist. OTC guards are the least expensive but usually don’t provide many benefits to your teeth.

If you want a high-quality night guard without breaking the bank, your best option is purchasing a custom-made dental night guard from an online retailer. Although purchasing from your dentist is considered the “gold standard,” online-retailer guards are significantly cheaper than those purchased from the dentist office. Yet, they are still FDA approved and custom-fitted to your teeth to ensure maximum benefits.

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Written by:

Aashna Gheewalla, B.S.

Aashna Gheewalla, B.S. was an editorial intern on the GoodRx Health team. She has a B.S. in Public Health from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Kristen Gerencher, MSOT

Kristen Gerencher, MSOT, is an award-winning writer who's reported on healthcare, medicine, and insurance for various national outlets. Before contributing to GoodRx, she was a healthcare and personal finance reporter for MarketWatch.

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