Protecting Your Investment: Why a Nightguard is Your Crown’s Best Friend

Protect That New Crown While You Sleep — Here’s How

You finally got that crown done. The shape is perfect, the bite feels right, and your smile? Back to full strength.

Now imagine all that being worn down quietly while you sleep.

If you clench or grind your teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism), your crown could be under serious pressure. The good news? There’s a simple way to protect it: a custom nightguard.

Let’s take a closer look at how a nightguard helps safeguard your crown and your entire smile.

First, Why Are Dental Crowns So Vulnerable?

A crown may look and feel like a real tooth (and it should), but it’s still not invincible. Whether it’s porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia, it’s durable — not indestructible.

Over time, excessive pressure from grinding or clenching can cause:

• Chips or cracks in the crown
• Loosening of the crown’s seal
• Wear on surrounding natural teeth
• Soreness in the jaw or headaches

Most of this happens overnight when you’re unaware and can’t stop it.

Enter: The Nightguard

A nightguard is a custom-made mouthpiece you wear while sleeping. It cushions your bite and absorbs the pressure caused by grinding or clenching. More like a helmet for your crown.

Why It’s Especially Important After Getting a Crown

We often recommend nightguards for people before problems start, but if you’ve had a crown placed recently (or multiple), it’s even more important.

Here’s why:

1. It Protects Your Investment

Crowns aren’t cheap. You’ve invested in restoring your tooth  and a nightguard helps protect that investment for the long haul.

2. It Preserves Your Bite

Grinding doesn’t just damage your crown. It can shift your bite over time, affecting your jaw alignment and causing pain.

3. It Prevents Future Dental Work

A cracked crown or worn-down opposing tooth can lead to more dental treatment, more time in the chair, and more expense. Nightguards reduce that risk.

How Do You Know If You Need One?

Here are a few signs you might be grinding at night:

• Waking up with jaw tightness or soreness
• Headaches in the morning
• Sensitive teeth without visible decay
• Noticeable wear on your front teeth or flat edges
• A history of breaking or damaging dental work

Even if you don’t feel symptoms, your dentist might spot signs during a routine exam. And if you’ve already had restorative work done like crowns or veneers — a nightguard is often recommended as a preventive step.

Custom vs. Store-Bought: Is There a Difference?

Yes — and it matters.

Over-the-counter nightguards may offer temporary relief, but they often lack proper fit and protection. A custom nightguard is made using impressions of your teeth, ensuring:

• A precise, comfortable fit
• Better coverage and durability
• Fewer issues with slippage or irritation

It’s a small investment for a lot of peace of mind.

Your Crown Needs Backup

At Bravo Dental, we want your crown to last for years. A custom nightguard can help make that happen by protecting your smile while you sleep.

Think you might be grinding your teeth? Let’s talk. Book a consultation and find out if a nightguard is right for you.