Cost of Night Guards With and Without Insurance
Have you considered purchasing a custom dental guard? There are several options available, with night guards being one of the most popular. So how much does a night guard cost? The actual amount charged by your dentist will vary depending on the type of design and materials used. But don’t panic! There are affordable options for getting a comfortable night guard.
What are night guards?
A dental night guard, or bruxism night guard, is a small dental device that you wear on your teeth to protect them. Night guards are designed for use while sleeping, whereas a bit splint or other type of night guard is typically worn during the day. These dental devices are considered to be the best preventive treatment in avoiding the symptoms of bruxism. Otherwise, bruxism can lead to poor sleep quality, cracked teeth and damaged fillings, tooth wear and loss, among others.
A night guard that has been professionally fitted is typically made of a very durable layer of acrylic to prevent tooth wear. Instead of a set to fit both arches of teeth, you usually only require one (usually for the upper teeth). Its primary purpose is to prevent teeth from clenching and grinding together, which can result in permanent damage to the tooth anatomy and surrounding components (such as gums and jaw muscles).
Why do night guards cost so much?
The cost of night guards can vary significantly. Some common reasons a night guard may have a higher price include:
- The average cost of living in your area
- The material used to make the night guard
- The mold, thickness and size of the night guard
- The artist’s expertise in creating the night guard
- Other procedures required prior to the placement of the night guard
- Your dentist’s experience and skills
Before getting a night guard to keep your mouth and jaw pain-free, a dentist may recommend multiple visits. The first appointment is diagnostic in which the dentist will check your teeth and gums, and if necessary, take an impression of your teeth. The impression will be used by your dentist to make a mold and it will be sent to the dental lab. The dental lab then designs the mouth guard to form a precise fit on your teeth using the impression mold. Some custom night guards are delivered at your door, but others require you to return to your dentist’s clinic to receive them. During your second visit, your dentist will check the fit of the night guard and make sure it fits perfectly. Your dentist may schedule a third appointment to allow you to test it at home and make adjustments if needed. The entire procedure of crafting the guard and the multiple dentist appointments are factors that are driving up the cost.
Cost of a dental night guard
The most expensive option are custom-fitted night guards from a dentist. With a price tag of up to $1000, your jaw may be aching from the financial shock. Ranges of $300 to $1000 in the United States are fairly common, depending on which part you live and the specific type of night call your dentist offers. Your dentist may be able to justify the cost if your bruxism is caused by sleep apnea or a malocclusion that necessitates a more sophisticated night guard.
You may be required to pay a deductible as well as your coinsurance or co-pay for the dental exam and the fee for the device. Traditional night guards that are specifically fitted to the individual’s mouth offer additional protection and comfort. However, many dentists only create a few night guards in a year. Since it is not their core offering to their patients, they are frequently unaware of the different materials available. Also, some dentists recommend a dual laminate night guard, which is not appropriate for every type of bruxism patients.
Are night guards covered by insurance?
As an informed consumer, knowing all of the alternatives can save you money in the long run. There are dozens of different dental insurance firms, each with hundreds of different plans suited to the company or individual purchasing the insurance. Check with your insurance provider to see if your plan covers a night guard.
Most dental insurance plans include night guards to some extent, while some do not. There are some that offer full coverage for bruxism treatment and others only provide partial coverage. Some insurance companies cover bruxism treatment, but not the lab fees or night guard dental kits. There are companies that do not pay for any bruxism-related treatment on your behalf. While plans differ from person to person (depending on the type of plan you or your company subscribe to), the average insurance policy will pay roughly half of the cost of your night guard.
Note that the amount your insurance covers must be factored into your estimated deductible or any co-pays required by your plan. So, if you have a $200 deductible to reach before your coverage kicks in, you will have to pay that first. It’s important that you already know you’re meeting the deductible through other services and your insurance covers half of the cost of a night guard. You will likely save more than half the cost of a professional night guard.
Sounds gibberish? We understand that insurance can be complicated.
In a nutshell, the amount of coverage, allowances and cost restrictions on dental insurance plans all vary depending on your provider and dental plan. This is why it’s always best to check with your dental insurance provider to see what’s covered and how much insurance is covered in your case. The reality is that if you buy a night guard from your dentist, whether it’s insured or not, you could end up spending a lot of money.
Cost of a ClearClub night guard
Custom night guards are the best choice to beat the damaging effects of bruxism. Wearing a custom-made night guard provides excellent comfort and protection for your teeth and mouth. They’re built of durable materials and typically last longer. And because the product is convenient, you will be able to use it straight away. ClearClub offers the same high-quality and custom-fit night guards as your dentist without the added cost. A custom-fit night guard can be purchased online for up to 85% less than what you would pay at a dentist’s clinic.
At ClearClub, you can save a trip to the dentist. ClearClub is significantly less expensive than purchasing a night guard from a dental clinic. We offer this solution to bruxism patients, athletes, etc. at a fraction of the cost.
If you’re a first-time ClearClub night guard user, the cost of a ClearClub night guard may surprise you. This device costs $145, but it’s worth every penny. There are also other ways which can save you money. ClearClub allows you to effortlessly purchase your night guard by entering your FSA or HSA card information during checkout. Save any receipts or other expense proofs in case your insurance company or employer requests it later.
Another advantage of having a ClearClub night guard is the home delivery service. Our self-impression kits lets you create a mold from the comfort of your own home. Once the mold is formed, it will be delivered to the dental lab where our technicians thoroughly create a detailed and custom-fit guard and send it back to you. Because there is no middleman, you can have a night guard delivered to your home–saving you time and money. Plus, we use the same materials and manufacture your night guard in the same way as your dentist’s lab. The only difference is–ClearClub is half the price! Order your customized night guard on ClearClub today and let us help you stop your daily grind.