Custom Oral Appliances


person putting in custom oral appliance

Suwanee Family Dentistry provides custom oral appliances in Suwanee, Georgia. Call 678-714-2380 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.

What is a Custom Oral Appliance?


An oral appliance is the general term for a dental apparatus that is worn in the mouth for a specific purpose. The term custom refers to an oral appliance that is made to fit a specific person’s mouth and teeth. Custom oral appliances are created and worn for a variety of reasons, such as to protect the teeth from the effects of teeth grinding, prevent sports injuries, and to treat snoring and sleep apnea.


Benefits of Custom Oral Appliances


Custom oral appliances provide a variety of benefits: 

  • Protect your teeth. Custom oral appliances can protect your teeth from the damaging effects of teeth grinding, which can wear down your enamel and cause cracks. Athletes can protect their teeth from injuries, even in low contact sports. 
  • Get better quality sleep. Sleep appliances can stop snoring and keep your airway open while you sleep, preventing disruption to your natural sleep cycles and allowing you to get quality sleep each night. Your spouse or partner may also benefit from your sleep improvements. 
  • Relieve and prevent pain. Teeth grinding can cause headaches, jaw pain, and tooth sensitivity. Sports injuries to the mouth can be painful. Custom oral appliances can relieve or prevent many different forms and sources of pain. 
  • Fits comfortably. Custom oral appliances made by your dentist fit more comfortably than mouthguards you can buy at the store.

Types of Custom Oral Appliances We Offer


We can create custom oral appliances for the following needs: 

  • Sports mouthguards. Custom sports mouthguards not only fit more comfortably, but they minimize the chances of a dental injury because they fit more snugly to your teeth. They are also made of higher quality materials that are designed to absorb impact. 
  • Nightguards for teeth grinding. A custom nightguard fits comfortably and prevents the teeth from grinding together while you sleep. It can protect your teeth and reduce the pressure on your jaw to prevent TMJ disorder. 
  • Sleep apnea appliances. A custom sleep apnea nightguard repositions your jaw and tongue to prevent obstructions to your airway while you sleep. It can prevent snoring and improve your breathing, allowing you to get better quality sleep each night and have more energy throughout the day.   These appliances are made following a prescription from your medical doctor.  If you need help obtaining a prescription we are happy to help you.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Custom Oral Appliance?


If you grind your teeth, snore at night, or play a sport of any kind, you can benefit from a custom oral appliance. You may not be aware of it if you grind your teeth, but the effects are noticeable to your dentist. If anyone has ever told you that you snore, it’s a warning sign of sleep apnea. Even low contact sports can result in a dental injury, such as getting hit in the mouth with a ball, bumping into another player, or falling down. If any of this sounds familiar, ask us about our custom oral appliances. 


Why Choose Suwanee Family Dentistry?


Our goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for life. While accidents can happen and the years of use take their toll, it is possible to keep your natural teeth healthy and in place. Through a custom oral appliance you can protect your teeth from damage and increase the chances that your teeth will last for your lifetime. We can also help improve your quality of life by treating your sleep apnea and getting sound sleep each night. As a family dental practice, we provide services for your whole family in one convenient location.


Frequently Asked Questions


How does a custom oral appliance stop snoring?


Our goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for life. While accidents can happen and the years of use take their toll, it is possible to keep your natural teeth healthy and in place. Through a custom oral appliance you can protect your teeth from damage and increase the chances that your teeth will last for your lifetime. We can also help improve your quality of life by treating your sleep apnea and getting sound sleep each night. As a family dental practice, we provide services for your whole family in one convenient location.

Should you wear a sports mouthguard if it’s not required for the sport?


Even if the sport does not require a mouthguard, it is still a good idea to wear one. Not every sport includes tackling or direct contact, but most sports involve a ball or other equipment that could cause serious injury to the mouth. Preventing dental injuries is always preferable to treating them after they occur.

Is a custom oral appliance worth it?


There are a variety of sports mouthguards and nightguards for teeth grinding that are available in stores. They are affordable and allow you to mold them to the shape of your teeth. However, custom oral appliances created by your dentist are made from impressions of the teeth so that they fit accurately for better comfort and protection.

Does dental insurance cover custom oral appliances?


Medical insurance will often cover custom oral appliances for sleep apnea. Dental insurance does not typically cover mouthguards for sports or nightguards for teeth grinding. Contact your insurance provider to inquire about your plan and coverage. Financing is available for out of pocket costs.

To learn more, call 678-714-2380 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.