At a glance
Who it is for
What happens
Visits and time
Cost
Learn how teeth grinding and clenching are assessed, when a night guard may help and what ongoing care involves.
Overview
Bruxism is grinding or clenching that can occur while awake or asleep. It may be associated with tooth wear, damaged restorations or jaw-muscle symptoms, although these findings can have other causes.
A custom night guard is an appliance worn over the teeth where suitable. It can help separate and protect them from some effects of grinding, but it does not guarantee that the underlying activity will stop.
Reasons to seek care
Consider an assessment for chipped or worn teeth, a report of grinding during sleep, morning jaw tiredness or an uncomfortable appliance. Bring an existing guard to the appointment if you have one.
Tell us about medications, sleep concerns and when symptoms occur. Severe snoring, witnessed breathing pauses or other sleep symptoms may require a separate medical assessment; a night guard is not a treatment for all sleep-related problems.
What care involves
We review the teeth, bite, jaw symptoms and relevant history. If an appliance is appropriate, a scan or impression is used for fabrication. The material, thickness and whether it covers upper or lower teeth depend on the clinical plan.
At fitting, we check retention, comfort and the bite, then explain wear and cleaning. The fit and suitability of an existing or over-the-counter guard should be checked for your current teeth.
Care process
Assess the problem
Your dentist checks for dental damage and discusses your symptoms, habits and other possible contributing factors.
Record and make
We take the records needed to make the selected custom appliance.
Fit and adjust
Your dentist checks the appliance and explains when and how to wear it.
Review use
We review comfort, wear and changes to your teeth or bite, adjusting or replacing the appliance where appropriate.
Why patients choose Tokyo Expat Dental
Explained in English
Care planned with you
Instrument hygiene
Easy to reach
Risks and limitations
An appliance may initially affect speech or saliva and can cause soreness or discomfort if the fit is unsuitable. Changes in symptoms or bite need review. Guards can wear, crack or require replacement as teeth and restorations change.
A guard does not guarantee relief of jaw pain, eliminate bruxism or repair existing damage. Do not continue wearing a broken or painful appliance without advice.
Alternatives
Depending on the findings, care may include awareness of daytime clenching, behavioural or stress-related support, review of contributing medication with the prescriber, repair of damaged teeth or referral. Never alter medication solely because grinding is suspected.
Fees and treatment time
We will explain the suitable options and provide a detailed treatment plan and cost estimate before treatment begins.
Custom-made night guard: ¥24,900
We will discuss whether a night guard suits your needs and explain the assessment, fitting and review arrangements in your estimate.
Diagnostic imaging and other examinations may incur additional charges unless expressly included in a treatment package. Your estimate will confirm what is included, any separate charges, and the expected appointments and timing.
All prices are in Japanese yen (JPY) and include 10% consumption tax. Fees may vary with case complexity and individual requirements.
In Tokyo for a short time?
Tell us your travel dates when you book so we can discuss what fits your stay and whether further appointments will be needed. We provide reports to support international insurance claims; cover depends on your policy.
After your visit
Follow the care and review instructions your dentist gives you. Please contact the clinic if you have a question or your symptoms change.
For difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 119 for an ambulance. Seek urgent care from a service that is open rather than waiting for an online reply.
Related treatments
General dentistry and dental checkups
Checkups, tooth-coloured fillings and advice for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental crowns and bridges
Crowns to repair damaged teeth and bridges to replace missing teeth. We explain the options before treatment.
Tooth-coloured fillings
Repair holes in teeth (cavities) and small areas of damage. We explain the filling material and other options.