Custom Night Guard vs. Store Bought: Which Is Right for You?

You've decided you need a night guard — great decision. But now you're facing another choice: spend $15-40 on a store-bought guard, or invest more in a custom-fit option?

After 25 years of treating patients for teeth grinding, I've seen people try every option on the market. Here's my honest breakdown to help you make the right choice.

The Three Main Options

1. Store-Bought "One Size Fits All" Guards ($10-25)

These are the cheapest option — pre-formed plastic trays you can pick up at any pharmacy. They come in generic sizes (small, medium, large) and don't adapt to your specific teeth.

The reality: Most people find these so uncomfortable that they stop wearing them within a week. They're bulky, can cause gagging, and often fall out during sleep. If you're not wearing it consistently, it's not protecting you.

2. Boil-and-Bite Guards ($20-40)

These guards are softened in hot water, then you bite into them to create a rough impression of your teeth. They're a step up from one-size-fits-all, but the fit is still imprecise.

The reality: Better than generic guards, but the material is often too soft (wears out quickly) or too thick (uncomfortable). The DIY molding process rarely creates a precise fit, and they can shift your bite over time if not fitted correctly.

3. Custom-Fit Night Guards ($79-800)

Custom guards are made from an impression of YOUR teeth — either taken by a dentist or using an at-home impression kit. The result is a guard that fits your unique bite precisely.

Within this category, there's a big price range:

• Dentist-made: $300-800+ (highest quality, but expensive)
• At-home custom kits: $79-150 (professional quality at a fraction of the cost)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Store-Bought	Boil & Bite	Custom-Fit
Price	$10-25	$20-40	$79-800
Fit	Poor	Fair	Excellent
Comfort	Bulky, uncomfortable	Okay	Slim, barely noticeable
Durability	1-3 months	3-6 months	1-3+ years
Protection	Minimal	Moderate	Maximum
Compliance	Low (most quit)	Medium	High

Why Fit Matters So Much

Here's the thing about night guards: they only work if you actually wear them. Every night. All night.

A guard that's too bulky, falls out, or makes you gag isn't protecting you — because you won't wear it. I've had countless patients tell me they have a drawer full of cheap guards they tried and abandoned.

What About Dentist-Made Guards?

Dentist-made custom guards are excellent quality — no question. But at $300-800, they're out of reach for many people. And here's what most people don't realize: the main reason they're so expensive is overhead (office visits, staff, equipment), not materials or quality.

Modern at-home impression technology can achieve the same precise fit using the same dental-grade materials — at a fraction of the cost. You're essentially cutting out the middleman without sacrificing quality.

When to Choose What

Choose a store-bought guard if:

• You only need it for a night or two (travel, etc.)
• You're testing whether you can tolerate wearing anything at all
• Budget is extremely tight (but expect to upgrade soon)

Choose a custom-fit guard if:

• You grind regularly and need nightly protection
• You've tried cheap guards and couldn't tolerate them
• You want something that will last years, not months
• You have dental work you need to protect
• You want to actually solve the problem

The Bottom Line

If you're serious about protecting your teeth from grinding, a custom-fit night guard is worth the investment. The comfort difference alone means you'll actually wear it — and a guard only works when you wear it.

Store-bought guards have their place for occasional use or as a temporary solution, but for nightly grinding protection, they typically don't cut it. Most people end up spending more money cycling through cheap guards than they would have spent on a single custom one.

Your teeth are worth protecting properly. You only get one set.