Glendale, Arizona
Custom Night Guards in Glendale, AZ
If you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or worn-down teeth, you may be grinding or clenching in your sleep. A custom night guard from SmileScience Dental Spa provides precise, comfortable protection that store-bought guards simply cannot replicate.
Custom Night Guard vs. Store-Bought
Over-the-counter mouth guards are mass-produced in a single thickness and shape. A custom night guard is fabricated from a precise impression of your own teeth -- a difference that matters for both comfort and effectiveness.
Store-Bought (OTC)
- ✕ One-size-fits-all bulk
- ✕ Bulky -- difficult to sleep in
- ✕ Softens and degrades quickly
- ✕ May not cover all teeth evenly
- ✕ No evaluation of underlying cause
Custom (SmileScience)
- ✓ Fabricated from your exact dental impression
- ✓ Slim profile -- comfortable to wear nightly
- ✓ Hard or dual-laminate materials built to last 3-5+ years
- ✓ Even occlusal contact on every tooth
- ✓ TMJ and bite evaluated at same visit
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
Many patients are unaware they grind at night because it happens during sleep. These are the most common signs we look for during an exam.
Morning Headaches
Tension headaches concentrated at the temples or behind the eyes are a hallmark of overnight jaw clenching.
Jaw Soreness or Stiffness
Achiness or limited opening first thing in the morning suggests sustained muscle contraction during sleep.
Flattened or Worn Enamel
Teeth that appear shorter or have flat, shiny wear facets indicate habitual grinding -- often only visible on X-rays or examination.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
Repeated high-force grinding can fracture enamel and break dental restorations, especially crowns and veneers.
Clicking or Popping Jaw
Joint sounds can indicate TMJ involvement -- bruxism and TMJ dysfunction often occur together and should be evaluated simultaneously.
Tooth Sensitivity
Loss of protective enamel from grinding exposes the inner dentin, leading to sharp sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet stimuli.
How We Fit Your Night Guard
The process takes two short appointments. Most patients leave their fitting wearing their new guard for the first time that same evening.
We examine your teeth for wear patterns, assess your jaw joint for TMJ involvement, and discuss your symptoms. This step shapes the guard design -- not all grinders need the same thickness or material.
Exam and Bite Evaluation
Impressions
Digital or physical impressions of your upper and lower teeth are taken chairside. This takes fewer than five minutes and captures the precise geometry that makes a custom guard comfortable.
Your impressions are sent to a dental lab where a technician builds your guard to exact specifications. Most guards are ready within 7 to 10 business days.
Lab Fabrication
Fitting and Adjustment
You return for a brief appointment where we seat the guard, check your bite, and make any minor adjustments for comfort. Most patients are surprised by how much thinner and lighter it is than an OTC guard.
We recheck wear at your regular cleaning appointments. Guards should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if heavy grinding wears through the material.
Follow-Up Care
Which Type of Night Guard Is Right for You?
Not every night guard is the same material. The right choice depends on the severity of your grinding and your TMJ health. We select the most appropriate design at your evaluation.
Soft Guard
Made from flexible ethylene vinyl acetate. Most comfortable for first-time wearers and patients with mild grinding or clenching.
Best for: Mild-to-moderate bruxism, clenching without heavy lateral grinding
Hard Acrylic Guard
The most durable option, fabricated from rigid acrylic. Provides maximum protection for heavy grinders and patients with significant TMJ symptoms. Longest lifespan.
Best for: Heavy grinders, TMJ dysfunction, patients who have broken previous guards
Dual-Laminate Guard
Soft on the inside for comfort, hard on the outside for durability. The best of both worlds for moderate-to-heavy grinders who find hard guards uncomfortable.
Best for: Moderate-to-heavy grinders who want comfort with durability
Protect Your Teeth Tonight
A night guard is one of the most cost-effective investments in your dental health -- far less expensive than repairing cracked teeth or replacing worn restorations. Schedule a bruxism evaluation at SmileScience Dental Spa in Glendale today.
Night Guard FAQs
The process typically takes two appointments. At the first visit we take impressions, and the guard is fabricated by a dental lab over the following 7 to 10 business days. You return for a brief fitting appointment before taking it home.
Custom night guards typically range from $300 to $600 at most dental offices. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost when bruxism is documented. We will check your benefits before your appointment and provide a clear cost estimate.
Sports guards are designed to absorb impact from external forces, not the sustained lateral forces of grinding. They are typically too thick for comfortable nightly wear and are not fabricated to distribute biting force evenly across all teeth. A dedicated night guard is significantly more effective for bruxism protection.
A night guard protects your teeth from the damage caused by grinding but does not eliminate the underlying grinding behavior. Addressing root causes -- stress, sleep apnea, bite misalignment -- alongside wearing a guard produces the best long-term outcomes. We discuss contributing factors at your consultation.
Rinse your guard with cool water after each use and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush -- no toothpaste, which can be abrasive. Allow it to air dry before storing it in the provided case. Never soak a hard acrylic guard in mouthwash for extended periods, as some ingredients can degrade the material.
Daytime clenching is also a form of bruxism and can cause identical damage. For daytime grinding, we often recommend a thinner, lower-profile guard designed for daytime wear, or discuss other management strategies. Let us know at your appointment whether your symptoms are primarily nocturnal or diurnal.
4.9 (437 reviews)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Smile Science Dental Spa, and I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and service provided by the entire team. Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke are both incredibly skilled and made me feel completely at ease throughout my procedures. Their professionalism, combined with their gentle approach, made me feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. I was especially impressed that I was able to get a same-day crown(apparently their first ever!), which exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t believe how quick and seamless the process was. It really saved me time and made the experience even more convenient. Cindiray and Angeles, the dental assistants, were equally wonderful. They were not only friendly and attentive but also thorough in explaining everything and made sure I was relaxed during each phase of my visit. Lastly, a big thank you to Litzy at the front desk, who greeted me with a smile and helped with scheduling and any questions I had. She made the entire check-in process a breeze. From start to finish, my experience at Smile Science Dental Spa was exceptional. I'll be returning for sure. I highly, highly, highly recommend them for anyone looking for high-quality dental care.
View Full Review on GoogleDusty
Honestly I’ve never been so happy to go to the dentist. I came in (late due to Lyft) and was still taken care of and treated with care. Even without insurance (kicking in within the next month) prices for an extraction on my infected tooth were more than reasonable. I was able to get more than expected done in the same visit. Dr. Dawson and his team made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Won’t go anywhere else.
View Full Review on GoogleCherish B
I recently started as a patient after leaving our long-time family Dentist and couldn’t be happier! Marcela is AMAZING and a FANTASTIC hygienist!!!! 😃 Dr Dawson is great too! Every time I visit, they make me feel like family.
View Full Review on GoogleTJ Winzeler
Myself and my family had previously gone to Dr. Turk at another dental office that he worked at. He had relocated and we did not know where he had gone to until this week. Today I got in with Dr. Turk and he took the time to look at my x-rays carefully . I was having pain from a tooth and some other issues. The previous Dentist I went to that I saw just a few days earlier, he did not find any issues with my tooth which I had pain in. Dr. Turk identified infection and referred me to an endodontist. He is very gentle as a wonderful disposition and my self and my family are thrilled to be able to get back with him. The office is lovely, relaxing music, heat and massage chair.I have always been very nervous and some anxiety going to dentist as I have had bad reactions with the anesthesia. I am confident that Dr. Kirk will help me get through my next appointment just fine. “The staff are very kind and attentive. I am looking forward as I have quite a bit of work to be done, and I know I’m in good hands with Dr. Turk and his staff. Five stars!⭐️ Sherry
View Full Review on GoogleSherry Redmond
I recently moved to Arizona and had an issue with a tooth repair from 15 years back. Not knowing anyone here in my new home, I searched dentists close to me. I chose Smile Science much like pinning the tail on the donkey and my selection couldn't have been better! What a terrific staff! Dr. Turke was concerned the tooth would need to be extracted, but said he wanted to take a shot at saving it..and that's just what he did! After setting a temporary crown, I was on my way with an appointment to install the permanent crown in the following two weeks. That evening I received a call I've never received from a dentist. Dr. Turke had taken the time to follow up with me to make sure I wasn't in any discomfort..I was completely caught off guard by this kind of attention to detail and caring for my well being. The permanent crown is now in place, it fits and feels fantastic, the job and treatment are first class! Thank you, Dr. Turke and staff for taking in this stray and giving me a home dentist! I'd like to say that I'm just good at selecting blindly, but the truth is I am very lucky..and I'll take lucky over being good any day of the week! Thank you, again and Happiest of New Year's in 2026, Science Smile!!
View Full Review on GoogleEddy
