A night guard is made just for you, customized by your dentist to fit your unique dentition. Custom-made night guards fit over your upper or lower teeth, covering every tooth from the very last molar to the front of the mouth and back again. The acrylic, though thin, prevents opposing teeth from making contact with each other when you involuntarily grind or clench while you sleep.
When wearing a night guard, your may still clench and grind. The difference is that you'll have a two to four-millimeter separation between your upper and lower arches. This separation can minimize the force that would normally be behind your unconscious habit. Also, because the jaw muscles cannot fully engage when the night guard is in place, the urge to grind and clench often decreases.