Protect your teeth from grinding and wake up without jaw pain with a custom guard made and fitted right here in our office.
Waking up with a sore jaw, headaches, or sensitive teeth can be a sign that you’re grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. It’s called bruxism, and over time it wears down enamel, cracks teeth, and strains your jaw, often without you realizing it’s happening.
A night guard, also called a bruxism guard or mouth guard, is one of the simplest ways to protect against it.
It’s a custom-fitted appliance you wear at night that sits over your teeth, cushioning your jaw and absorbing the force of grinding rather than your enamel.
At Burien Dental, you’re cared for by a team with over 35 years of experience, known for a gentle touch and thoughtful, modern care. We’re also one of the few practices in the area that designs and makes mouth guards in-house, so the fit is overseen by your dentist from start to finish.
Why Patients Choose Burien Dental for Night Guards
A mouth guard is a small thing that protects a lot. You want it made by a team that gets the fit right and stands behind it.
That’s where we’re different. Most offices take an impression and mail it to an outside lab. We design and 3D-print your guard right here in our in-house digital lab, so the doctor oversees the work directly rather than handing it to a technician who never sees your mouth.
That control is why our guards fit the way they do. A mouth guard only helps if you’ll actually wear it, and a well-fitting guard stays in all night. It also means a faster turnaround, no waiting on a third party, and if something needs adjusting, the person who oversaw the build is right here to fix it.
First time visiting and had a very enjoyable and informative visit! Will be coming back for my follow up in 6 months!
Really wonderful experience and top of the line technology. Happy to have found Burien Dental!
Great experience! They explained everything going on with my teeth and gums - very thorough. They also took x-rays and images of my entire mouth and gave be a butter understanding of my wisdom teeth. The cleaning was great at well!
What Is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a custom-fitted appliance you wear while you sleep. It sits over your teeth and puts a barrier between your upper and lower jaw, so when you clench or grind, the guard takes the force instead of your enamel. You might also hear it called an occlusal guard, a bite guard, or a mouth guard for grinding.
A custom guard isn’t the same as the boil-and-bite kind at the drugstore. Store versions are bulky, fit loosely, wear out fast, and usually end up on the nightstand because they’re uncomfortable. A guard built to your exact bite is thinner, more comfortable, and actually stays in all night, which is the only way it protects anything.
Signs you may be grinding or clenching
- Waking up with a sore jaw, face, or neck
- Frequent dull headaches, especially in the morning
- Teeth that are flattened, chipped, or getting more sensitive
- A clicking or tight jaw (TMJ discomfort)
- Grinding loud enough that a partner notices it at night
- Worn or cracked dental work like fillings, crowns, or veneers
Who Needs a Dental Night Guard?
A custom mouth guard can help you if:
- You wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or facial soreness
- Your dentist has noticed flattening or wear on your teeth
- You’ve been told you grind or clench in your sleep
- You deal with TMJ discomfort or a tight, clicking jaw
- You have veneers, crowns, or other dental work you want to protect
- You tried a drugstore guard and found it bulky or ineffective
How We Make Your Bruxism Guard at Burien Dental
Because we make them in-house, the process is faster and more controlled than the mail-it-to-a-lab approach most offices use. Here’s what to expect.
Benefits of a Custom Mouth Guard
- Protects your enamel from wear, chips, and cracks grinding.
- Eases jaw pain and morning headaches by cushioning the force of clenching.
- Made in-house and doctor-overseen, not shipped to a lab that never saw your mouth.
- Fits better and lasts longer than a drugstore boil-and-bite guard.
- Protects your investment in veneers, crowns, and other dental work.
- On file for next time, so a replacement doesn’t mean starting from scratch.
Waking up with jaw pain or headaches? Let’s check for grinding and talk through a custom guard made right here in our office.
Schedule Appointment Now →How Much Does a Night Guard Cost in Burien?
A custom mouth guard from a dentist usually runs about $300 to $700, depending on the design and how your bite is built. That’s more than a $20 drugstore guard, but it’s also the difference between a guard that protects your teeth and one that wears out in weeks or sits unused in a drawer.
It helps to keep the math in perspective. One cracked tooth from years of grinding can mean a crown, and replacing worn-down veneers or crowns costs far more than the guard that would have protected them.
Many dental plans cover a mouth guard when it’s prescribed for bruxism, since it’s protecting your health, not just your looks. We accept most major dental insurance plans, are a preferred provider with Delta Dental, Regence, Premera, Lifewise, and Guardian, and we’ll give you a clear estimate first. Financing through Sunbit and Cherry is available, too.
Pricing note: These ranges are estimates for patients without insurance and are a general guide, not a quote. Your actual cost depends on your treatment needs, your insurance contract, and your coverage status. We’ll give you a clear estimate before treatment.
Meet Our Night Guard Team
Meet Our Cosmetic Bonding Specialists
Dr. La Rota – DDS
Lead Dentist | Burien, WA
Dr. Daniel La Rota is a general dentist trained in complex care and oral rehabilitation, including aesthetics, oral surgery, and implant reconstructions.
He completed his dental training at the University of Louisville, then advanced training at the VA Puget Sound in Seattle, focused on bringing complex care to the veteran community. That background in comprehensive care is a good fit for treating bruxism, where protecting your teeth and bite matters as much as the guard itself. He’s passionate about a relaxed, educational experience, and he speaks both English and Spanish.
Dr. Everett – DDS
General Dentist | Burien, WA
Dr. Jonathan Everett grew up in Washington State and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington, with an undergraduate
background in biochemistry from Washington State University. He’s practiced dentistry for nearly a decade in the Pacific Northwest. Alongside patient care, he’s been active in the profession, serving as President of the American Student Dental Association, a member of the American Dental Association, and a board member of DentPAC for the Washington State Dental Association.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bruxism Guards in Burien, WA
How much does a custom night guard cost?
A custom guard from a dentist usually runs about $300 to $700, depending on the design and your bite. It's more than a drugstore guard, but it fits better, lasts longer, and protects you from the much higher cost of fixing teeth worn down by grinding. Many plans help cover it when it's prescribed for bruxism, and we'll give you an estimate up front.
Why is a custom mouth guard better than one from the drugstore?
Mostly fit. Boil-and-bite guards are bulky and loose, wear out quickly, and often go unused because they're uncomfortable. A custom guard is built to your exact bite, so it's thinner, more comfortable, and stays in all night. Ours has an extra edge: it's designed and 3D-printed in our office and overseen by the doctor, not mass-produced or sent out to a lab.
What makes your mouth guards different from other dental practices?
We make them in-house. Most offices take an impression and ship it to an outside lab. We design and 3D-print your guard right here, with the doctor directly overseeing the fit and quality. That means a more precise fit, a faster turnaround, and adjustments on the spot instead of another round-trip to a lab.
How long does a night guard last?
With good care, a custom bruxism guard usually lasts several years, depending on how heavily you grind and how well you clean and store it. Heavy grinders go through them faster. We check yours at your regular visits, and because your design is on file, a replacement doesn't mean starting over.
Can a mouth guard help with my jaw pain or TMJ?
Often, yes. By cushioning the force of clenching and letting your jaw rest in a more relaxed position, a well-fitted guard takes pressure off the muscles behind much of the morning jaw pain and headaches. If your symptoms point to something more involved, we'll look at that too and talk through your options instead of assuming a guard alone is the answer.
Protect Your Smile With a Custom Night Guard in Burien
A custom bruxism guard is one of the simplest ways to stop nighttime grinding before it damages your teeth.
At Burien Dental, you can expect:
- Bruxism guards made in-house with 3D printing, overseen directly by the doctor
- A precise digital scan instead of messy impressions
- Better fit, faster turnaround, and adjustments on the spot
- Award-winning care serving Burien and Normandy Park for 35+ years
If you’re waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn-down teeth, a custom bruxism guard is a simple way to stop the damage and sleep more comfortably. It’s one of the many general dental services we offer to keep your smile healthy.
Call (206) 242-1500 or use the contact button below to schedule your visit.
