Wake Up Without Jaw Pain or Tooth Damage
If you're grinding your teeth at night, the damage adds up quietly — but it doesn't have to. Dr. Sonal Deshpande at Brilliant Smiles of North Plainfield creates precisely fitted night guards using digital impressions, giving your teeth real protection while you sleep.
- Custom-fit to your exact bite
- Relieves jaw pain and morning headaches
- Prevents costly grinding damage
Digital Impression Technology
Dr. Deshpande uses digital dental impressions to capture a precise model of your upper and lower teeth — no messy trays required.
Lab-Fabricated Custom Fit
Your guard is crafted by a professional dental lab from your exact measurements, delivering comfort and protection no over-the-counter guard can match.
Insurance Often Covers It
Night guard coverage is available through many dental insurance plans — our team will check your benefits and give you a clear estimate before you commit.
Quick Facts
Essential information about this procedure
“Protecting your teeth from grinding now is almost always simpler — and far less expensive — than repairing the damage after it's done.”
What Bruxism Is Actually Doing to Your Teeth
Bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep — is more common than most people realize, and more damaging than it might seem. Because it happens while you're asleep, many people don't know they're doing it until a partner mentions the sound, or until Dr. Deshpande spots the telltale signs of wear during a routine exam.
Over time, the pressure of grinding can flatten and chip the biting surfaces of your teeth, wear down enamel that can't grow back, and strain the muscles and joints of your jaw. This strain is often what causes the dull headaches, tender jaw muscles, and facial soreness many grinders wake up with each morning. In more advanced cases, it can contribute to TMJ disorder — a condition affecting the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
The frustrating part is that the damage accumulates slowly and silently. A tooth that looks fine today may develop a crack or sensitivity in a year or two if grinding goes unaddressed. Protecting your teeth now is almost always simpler and far less expensive than repairing the damage later.
A custom night guard doesn't stop you from grinding — that's a neurological habit your body does involuntarily. What it does is place a precisely fitted barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and redistributing the force so your enamel doesn't bear the full impact. It also gently encourages your jaw to rest in a more relaxed position, which many patients say reduces morning soreness within the first few nights of use.
From First Visit to Restful Nights
Here's exactly what to expect from your night guard fitting at Brilliant Smiles of North Plainfield.
Day 1
Exam and Digital Impressions
Dr. Deshpande evaluates your teeth for signs of grinding wear, discusses your symptoms, and takes precise digital impressions of your upper and lower teeth — all in one comfortable appointment.
Week 1–2
Lab Fabricates Your Guard
Your impressions are sent to a professional dental lab, where your custom guard is crafted from durable plastic or rubber to match your exact bite and jaw measurements.
Week 2–3
Fitting and Adjustments
You return for a brief follow-up where Dr. Deshpande checks the fit, makes any needed adjustments, and walks you through how to wear and care for your guard.
Ongoing
Protected Sleep, Less Pain
Most patients notice reduced jaw soreness and fewer morning headaches within the first week of consistent use — and your teeth stay protected night after night.
Day 1
Exam and Digital Impressions
Dr. Deshpande evaluates your teeth for signs of grinding wear, discusses your symptoms, and takes precise digital impressions of your upper and lower teeth — all in one comfortable appointment.
Week 1–2
Lab Fabricates Your Guard
Your impressions are sent to a professional dental lab, where your custom guard is crafted from durable plastic or rubber to match your exact bite and jaw measurements.
Week 2–3
Fitting and Adjustments
You return for a brief follow-up where Dr. Deshpande checks the fit, makes any needed adjustments, and walks you through how to wear and care for your guard.
Ongoing
Protected Sleep, Less Pain
Most patients notice reduced jaw soreness and fewer morning headaches within the first week of consistent use — and your teeth stay protected night after night.
How Your Custom Night Guard Is Made
The process is straightforward and comfortable — Dr. Deshpande and her team handle every technical step, so all you need to do is show up.
Digital Impressions Are Taken
Dr. Deshpande uses digital dental impressions to create an accurate model of your upper and lower teeth — a precise, comfortable alternative to traditional impression trays.
Lab Crafts Your Guard
Your plaster cast is sent to a professional dental lab, where technicians fabricate your night guard from durable plastic or rubber, shaped exactly to your jaw's measurements.
Fit Is Checked and Confirmed
When your guard arrives, you return for a short fitting appointment where Dr. Deshpande checks the comfort and fit, makes any fine adjustments, and answers your questions before you leave.
What Patients Say About Their Night Guards
Hear from North Plainfield-area patients who finally got relief from jaw pain, headaches, and grinding damage with a custom guard from Brilliant Smiles.
“The best experience ever, never thought I can smile with confidence again. Geovanna was so helpful, and work hard to get my smile to where it is now. Definitely recommend this place and every dentist in the world should have someone as helpful and as understanding as Geovanna.”
“Took excellent care of me while needing an implant. I had never been through this procedure before and they made it as painless as possible. Excellent staff. Excellent service!”
“(Translated by Google) This is an amazing place, from the reception staff to the assistants and dentists. The service is wonderful. They are very kind, attentive, and their work is excellent! 100% recommended! (Original) Este es un increíble lugar, desde las personas de la recepción hasta los asistentes y dentistas. La Atención es maravillosa. Son muy amables, están pendientes de ti y su trabajo es excelente !! Recomendados 100%”
Other Preventive Services That Protect Your Smile
A night guard is one layer of protection — these treatments work alongside it to keep your teeth healthy for the long term.
Dental Checkups & X-Rays
Comprehensive dental exams and digital X-rays to evaluate your oral health, detect cavities early, and keep your smile o
Learn more
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Remove plaque and tartar buildup with a professional cleaning at Brilliant Smiles of North Plainfield, helping protect y
Learn more
Dental Sealants & Fluoride Treatment
Protect your teeth from decay and cavities with dental sealants and fluoride treatments — simple, painless preventive ca
Learn moreQuestions We Hear About Night Guards
How do I know if I actually grind my teeth at night? I don't notice anything.
Many people who grind their teeth — a condition called bruxism — are completely unaware of it because it happens while they sleep. Common signs include waking up with jaw soreness, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, and Dr. Deshpande often spots telltale wear patterns on the teeth during a routine exam before patients even realize there's a problem. If you've been experiencing any of these symptoms, mentioning them at your next checkup is a great place to start.
Will a night guard be comfortable to sleep in? I can't imagine wearing something in my mouth all night.
It's very common to wonder about this, and the answer is that a custom-fitted night guard is far more comfortable than the bulky, one-size-fits-all options sold in stores. Because Dr. Deshpande's night guards are precision-fitted to your specific bite, most patients adapt to wearing them within a week or two and eventually don't notice them at all. The relief from reduced jaw tension and tooth sensitivity is often a strong motivator to keep wearing it.
Does insurance cover a custom night guard for teeth grinding?
Some dental insurance plans include coverage for custom night guards, particularly when there's documented evidence of bruxism-related damage to your teeth. Coverage levels vary widely, so our team will check your specific benefits and give you a clear picture of your costs before we move forward. If there's an out-of-pocket portion, we offer flexible payment options to help make your care as accessible as possible.
What happens if I don't treat my teeth grinding — is it really a big deal?
Untreated bruxism can cause significant damage over time, including worn-down enamel, cracked or fractured teeth, increased sensitivity, and chronic jaw pain associated with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. The cost and complexity of repairing that damage — through crowns, root canals, or other restorative work — is far greater than the simple step of wearing a night guard. Addressing it early is one of the most straightforward ways to protect your teeth long-term.
How long does a night guard last, and do I need to replace it?
A custom night guard typically lasts two to five years, depending on the severity of your grinding. Dr. Deshpande will check the fit and condition of your guard at your routine exams and let you know when it's time for a replacement. Proper daily cleaning will extend its life and keep it hygienic — and we'll give you simple care instructions when you pick it up.
Most patients don't realize how much grinding is affecting their daily life until the jaw pain and headaches go away — that's when they tell me they wish they'd done this years ago.
Dr. Sonal Deshpande
Family & Preventive Dentist, Brilliant Smiles of North Plainfield
Bruxism is one of those conditions that causes real, cumulative harm without ever announcing itself clearly. Dr. Deshpande's approach is to catch the signs early during routine exams and give patients a simple, comfortable solution before the damage requires something more involved. A custom night guard is often one of the most cost-effective preventive investments a patient can make.
Wake Up Without Pain — Starting Soon
Getting a custom night guard is a simple, one-visit process — and your dental insurance may cover it at little or no cost to you.
Your appointment includes a full evaluation for signs of grinding, digital impressions of your teeth, and a clear explanation of your options and insurance benefits. Your custom guard will be ready within two weeks, fitted and adjusted before you leave. Most patients notice a difference within their first few nights.