Current offers: $0 Exam, Cleaning and X-Rays with Insurance. 0% Financing Available. In-House Membership for $395 per year (lump-sum). Same-Day Appointments Available.
Stop Grinding. Sleep Better. Protect Your Smile.
If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth, you may be grinding at night. A custom night guard from Innova Smiles is the most effective way to protect your teeth and relieve bruxism symptoms.
Quick 2-min form · No credit card needed · Or call for same-day care
I had been waking up with terrible headaches every morning. My night guard from Innova Smiles changed everything. I wake up pain-free now.
Thomas B.
Night guard patient
Precision Digital Fit
Digital scanning creates a perfectly calibrated appliance, far more accurate than over-the-counter options.
Premium Materials
Hard or dual-laminate guards designed for durability, comfort, and long-lasting protection.
TMJ Relief
Properly balanced night guards reduce muscle tension, jaw pain, and morning headaches.
Protect Your Investment
Night guards protect existing restorations, crowns, veneers, and implants, from grinding damage.
Professional Memberships & Clinical Fellowships
Your care is led by Dr. Ambereen Fatima, D.D.S. — Fellow, ICOI (FICOI) · Fellow, AAIP (FAAIP)
Among a small percentage of U.S. dentists with dual implant fellowships
A night guard (occlusal splint) is a custom-fabricated dental appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from the damaging forces of bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching). Custom guards at Innova Smiles in Marlborough are made from precise digital scans and medical-grade materials, providing superior protection and comfort compared to over-the-counter alternatives.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ambereen Fatima, D.D.S. — FICOI · FAAIP · Last reviewed · Meet Our Team
A night guard (occlusal splint) is a custom-fabricated dental appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from the damaging forces of bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching). Custom guards provide superior protection and comfort compared to over-the-counter alternatives.
Most people who grind their teeth are completely unaware of it, it happens during sleep. These are the telltale signs that bruxism may be damaging your teeth.
Over-the-counter night guards are one-size-fits-all, they are often too thick, too soft, and poorly fitted. A poorly fitting guard can actually worsen jaw clenching by giving the muscles something to “grip.”
Custom night guards are calibrated to your exact bite. The material hardness, thickness, and coverage are determined by your specific grinding pattern and jaw anatomy, resulting in better protection and significantly greater comfort.
From evaluation to delivery, the entire process typically takes just two short appointments over 1-2 weeks.
We examine wear patterns, muscle tension, and joint function to understand the severity of your grinding and whether a night guard is the right solution.
A precise 3D digital scan replaces traditional impressions — faster, more accurate, and gag-free.
Your custom appliance is crafted in 1-2 weeks from premium materials, calibrated to your exact bite.
We fit the guard, check the bite balance, and walk you through care. Most patients need a small adjustment after the first week of wear — that is normal and we expect it.
Custom night guards are often partially covered when bruxism has caused documented dental damage. We verify your benefits upfront. Financing available for out-of-pocket costs, starting from a single monthly payment that is less than a coffee habit.
Insurance Coverage
50–80%
Most PPO plans cover when bruxism is documented
HSA / FSA
Eligible
Pay pre-tax and save on your guard
Lasts 10× Longer
3–5 Years
vs. months from store-bought alternatives
Most PPO plans cover custom night guards when bruxism is documented. We verify your benefits upfront. For any remaining balance, 0% financing is available through CareCredit and Cherry.
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (collectively called bruxism) affect an estimated 10–15% of adults, and most are completely unaware it’s happening. The evidence accumulates slowly: flattened tooth enamel, cracked cusps, worn-down restorations, morning jaw soreness, and chronic headaches. At Innova Smiles, we identify and document bruxism using clinical examination and digital photographs of tooth wear patterns, then design a custom-fabricated appliance precisely fitted to your bite.
Over-the-counter mouth guards are made from soft materials that allow the jaw to still compress and grind, they may protect teeth marginally from impact, but they do nothing to reduce the muscular activity driving the grinding. Custom hard-acrylic night guards fabricated from a precise digital impression of your teeth do two things simultaneously: they create a protective barrier for tooth surfaces and they deliberately alter the bite just enough to reduce the hyperactivity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Patients who switch from OTC guards to properly fitted custom appliances typically report significant reductions in morning symptoms within the first two weeks.
For moderate-to-severe bruxism, a night guard may be necessary but not sufficient on its own. In cases where grinding is driven by obstructive sleep apnea, treating the breathing disorder often resolves the grinding completely, and we screen for airway obstruction in every bruxism patient using CBCT 3D airway imaging. For patients with significant jaw muscle hypertrophy and pain from chronic clenching, targeted TMJ-relief therapy delivered into the masseter muscle can reduce clenching force by 30-40% within 2 weeks and is highly effective in combination with a night guard. We also evaluate for TMJ dysfunction, which often coexists with bruxism and requires its own targeted treatment approach.
A custom night guard is a small investment that protects a lifetime of dental work, and delivers better sleep starting the very first night.
When the grinding stops, your jaw muscles finally rest, and you wake up without the headache or the soreness.
Less jaw tension and deeper sleep tend to leave you with more energy and a clearer head during the day.
Fewer morning headaches and jaw aches mean you wake up ready for your workouts, runs, and daily activities.
A custom night guard from Innova Smiles costs a fraction of what it takes to repair ground-down teeth. Same-day impressions, delivery in 2 weeks, and a fit that lasts years, not months like store-bought guards.
“No more jaw pain in the morning. This was a game-changer.”
— Brian K.
Our treatment recommendations are informed by peer-reviewed research and clinical evidence.
Occlusal splint therapy is a viable treatment for sleep bruxism, with adjustable biofeedback splints most effective at reducing episodes
BMC Oral Health, 2024 PubMed
Occlusal splints reduce bruxism episodes and improve patient-reported symptoms, enhancing overall well-being
J Dent, 2021 PubMed
Digital impressions reduce retake rates by up to 50% vs. traditional molds
Industry consensus, 2020
Same-day emergency scheduling reduces risk of complications from delayed treatment
ADA, 2023
For patients with significant jaw tension, grinding, or TMJ discomfort, a custom night guard protects your teeth while targeted muscle-relaxation therapy eases the overactive jaw muscles causing the problem. Many patients find this combination provides the most complete, lasting relief.
Typical ranges for time, visits, and recovery from our routine cases.
Times vary by case complexity. Ranges shown reflect typical cases handled at Innova Smiles in Marlborough, MA — based on internal practice data and standard published timelines.
In-depth guides from Dr. Fatima to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Bruxism, the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep, affects an estimated 8–10% of adults. Left untreated, it causes progressive enamel loss, cracked teeth, failed restorations, and chronic jaw pain (TMJ disorder).
Store-bought night guards promise protection but deliver poor results. The soft, one-size-fits-all material tends to encourage clenching rather than preventing it, and the imprecise fit causes discomfort that leads patients to stop wearing the guard altogether. A guard you do not wear provides zero protection.
Custom night guards from Innova Smiles are fabricated from lab-grade materials in the precise thickness and hardness calibrated for your grinding pattern. They fit precisely, balance your bite, and are comfortable enough to wear every night.
For patients with TMJ disorder, a properly balanced night guard can significantly reduce muscle tension and joint loading. When combined with targeted TMJ-relief therapy in the masseter muscles, many patients achieve dramatic relief from chronic jaw pain and headaches.
The masseter muscle can be hypertrophied from years of clenching, causing persistent pain. Targeted muscle-relaxation therapy eases the muscle at its source while your night guard prevents further tooth damage.
Dr. Fatima selects the appropriate guard design based on your bruxism severity and unique bite:
A well-made custom night guard typically lasts 3–5 years for moderate grinders. Signs your guard needs replacing include visible worn-through areas, cracks, or a change in fit. Bring your guard to every hygiene appointment, we check for wear and can advise on timing.
Rinse with cool water before and after each use. Clean gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, never toothpaste, which is abrasive. Store in the ventilated case provided and keep away from heat, which can distort the material.
Located at 340 Maple St, Suite 100, Marlborough, MA 01752. Serving Hudson, Framingham, Northborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and all of MetroWest. Call (508) 481-0110 to schedule your night guard appointment.
In-depth guides to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Four things we hold ourselves to at every appointment. No exceptions.
Espressos, weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and anesthesia techniques that most patients say they barely felt. Your comfort comes first.
We eliminate guesswork. Using sub-millimeter 3D scanning, we plan every restoration with surgical accuracy for a precise, lasting fit.
You see a line-by-line cost breakdown before any treatment starts. The number we quote is the number you pay.
We follow rigorous protocols. Our studio meets and exceeds American Dental Association and CDC sterilization standards to ensure patient safety.
In-depth guides from Dr. Fatima to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Our dental office is at 340 Maple St, Suite 100, Marlborough, MA 01752, serving patients throughout the MetroWest region.
Transparent Pricing
Quality dental care is an investment that pays dividends in confidence, comfort, and long-term oral health. Here is what to expect for custom night guards.
Custom Night Guards
Personalized to Your Treatment Plan
Flexible monthly financing available with 0% interest options
A custom-fitted night guard protects your teeth, crowns, and dental work from grinding damage, often preventing thousands of dollars in future repairs. Our lab-fabricated guards last years longer than over-the-counter alternatives.
0% APR financing available through CareCredit and Cherry. No-interest plans up to 24 months.
0% Interest Monthly Plans
Flexible terms up to 24 months with approved credit
Available through CareCredit and Cherry. Subject to credit approval.
Night guards may be partially covered under your dental plan. Many plans allow one guard every few years.
We handle verification for you
Our team contacts your insurance provider, determines your benefits, and gives you a clear cost breakdown before treatment begins.
No obligation. Your estimate is always free.
Prices are estimates. Your actual cost depends on treatment complexity and insurance coverage. We always provide a written estimate before treatment begins.
A custom night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and distributing the enormous forces generated during clenching and grinding. This prevents the direct tooth-on-tooth wear that destroys enamel over time. Many patients also notice relief from morning jaw soreness and tension headaches, since the guard can subtly reposition the jaw into a more relaxed, strain-free position.
Significantly better. Custom night guards are fabricated from digital impressions of your exact tooth anatomy, so they fit precisely and stay in place all night. Store-bought boil-and-bite guards are bulky, often make breathing harder, and can actually stimulate more grinding due to poor fit. A well-made custom guard from your dentist will last years and provides much better protection.
Rinse your night guard with cool water immediately after removing it each morning. Clean it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap or denture cleaner, never toothpaste, which is abrasive and scratches the surface. Let it air dry completely before storing in its case. Bring it to every dental appointment so we can check for signs of wear and ensure the fit remains optimal.
For most patients, bruxism is a lifelong tendency that needs to be managed rather than cured. The good news is that consistent night guard use effectively protects your teeth indefinitely. Some patients experience significant improvement after addressing underlying causes such as stress, sleep apnea, or bite misalignment, which may reduce grinding. However, continuing to wear the guard is the safest long-term approach even if grinding lessens.
Yes. TMJ disorder and bruxism are closely related, both involve overloaded jaw muscles and joints. A properly designed night guard positions the jaw in a more relaxed posture during sleep, reducing strain on the temporomandibular joint. Many patients with chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping joints, and morning headaches experience meaningful relief after consistently wearing a custom night guard. In some cases, targeted muscle-relaxation therapy delivered to the masseter muscle is combined with night guard therapy for more complete relief.
The process is simple. At your appointment, we take fast, precise digital impressions of your teeth (no messy trays). Your custom guard is fabricated by a professional dental lab and is typically ready within 1–2 weeks. At your delivery appointment, we adjust the fit and bite to ensure maximum comfort. Many patients notice a difference in jaw tension and sleep quality from their very first night wearing it.