A well-fitted mouth guard is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth from sports injuries and the wear caused by grinding or clenching. Empower Dental Pasadena makes custom mouth guards for patients in Pasadena, Altadena, and nearby communities, shaped to the exact contours of your teeth for comfort you can wear consistently.
Mouth guards are part of our general dentistry services in Pasadena, and we can talk through which type fits your needs at your next visit.
Teeth can chip, crack, or be knocked loose by a single fall, ball, or elbow. Nighttime grinding works more slowly, wearing down enamel and straining the jaw muscles over months and years. A mouth guard places a cushioning layer between your teeth and those forces.
The American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy guide to mouthguards describes the main types available and why fit matters for protection and comfort.
Contact sports such as football, basketball, hockey, martial arts, and soccer carry a real risk of dental injury, and so do activities like skateboarding and cycling. A custom sports guard stays put during play, which makes it easier to breathe, talk with teammates, and keep the guard in rather than taking it out.
If you wear braces or other dental work, ask us how a guard can be designed around it. We also recommend pairing your guard with routine dental exams and teeth cleaning so we can check the fit as your smile changes.
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* Financing is offered through independent third-party lenders. Approval, rates, fees, terms, and available repayment periods are determined by the respective provider. Contact our office or review the provider’s application for current options.
Many people do not realize they grind their teeth until a dentist notices the wear. You may want to ask about a guard if any of these apply to you.
Snoring or daytime fatigue can point to a different issue. In those cases, our team may discuss sleep apnea treatment instead of a standard guard.
Stock guards and boil-and-bite guards are easy to find, but they rely on generic shapes or a quick home molding. A custom guard is made from an accurate scan of your teeth, which often makes it more comfortable to wear for a full game or a full night.
| Feature | Custom Mouth Guard | Store-Bought Guard |
| Fit | Made from a scan of your teeth | Generic sizing or a boil-and-bite mold |
| Comfort | Trimmed to your bite and gumline | Can feel bulky or loose |
| Breathing and speech | Thinner profile in many designs | May need to be held in place by clenching |
| Protection | Covers teeth evenly where designed | Coverage depends on how well it was molded |
| Best for | Regular athletes and nightly grinders | Short-term or occasional use |
Grinding during sleep, known as bruxism, can wear down enamel, crack restorations, and leave the jaw sore in the morning. A night guard is usually a slim appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth that helps absorb those forces and protect your teeth and dental work.
The process starts with an exam to look for wear, cracks, and jaw tension. We then capture your bite using 3D digital scanning, which replaces messy impression trays for most patients.
Your guard is fabricated to match that scan. At a follow-up visit, we check the fit, smooth any pressure spots, and show you how to wear and clean it.
Rinse your guard after each use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, and let it dry in a ventilated case. Keep it away from hot water and direct sun, which can warp the material, and bring it to your checkups so we can look for wear or damage.
We accept all PPO plans in network, along with HSA and FSA. Some plans cover night guards for grinding, and our team can check your benefits. Empower Dental Pasadena also offers financing through Alphaeon and Happen Bank, which you can read about on our financing and insurance page.
Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Armenian, and same-day emergency care is available if a tooth is injured. Contact Empower Dental Pasadena to schedule a mouth guard fitting in Pasadena.
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At Empower Dental Pasadena in Pasadena, CA, advanced tools mean better care. By investing in the latest dental technology, we diagnose with greater accuracy, treat with more precision, and help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile—often with less discomfort along the way.
A sports guard is usually thicker and designed to absorb impact during play. A night guard is often slimmer and is made to protect teeth from grinding and clenching during sleep.
A custom guard is made from a scan of your teeth, so it often fits more closely and feels more comfortable. Many people find they wear a custom guard more consistently.
It usually takes a short scanning visit followed by a fitting appointment once the guard is fabricated. Our team will let you know the expected timeline.
Yes. A guard can be designed with room for brackets and wires. Let us know about any orthodontic work so we can plan the design.
Common signs include morning jaw soreness, headaches, worn or chipped teeth, and a partner hearing grinding. Your dentist can also spot wear patterns during an exam.
Rinse it after each use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, and let it air dry in a ventilated case. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material.
Replacement timing depends on wear and changes in your teeth. Bring your guard to checkups so we can look for cracks, thinning, or a loose fit.
Coverage varies by plan. We accept all PPO plans in network, along with HSA and FSA, and our team can check your benefits.
Yes. Our Pasadena office welcomes patients from Altadena and other nearby communities.
At Empower Dental Pasadena, we believe high-quality care should be accessible to every patient. To make treatment more affordable, we partner with trusted financing providers. Available plans, interest rates, and repayment terms vary by provider and are subject to approval. Contact our office or review the provider’s application for current options.
From implants and crowns to cosmetic treatments and smile makeovers, our financing options are designed to help you move forward with your care—without delay.
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At Empower Dental Pasadena, we stand behind the quality of our work with warranties tailored to your specific treatment. Our fixed hybrid prosthetics include a Lifetime Warranty, provided you maintain your recommended hygiene visits and ongoing care. For crowns and other fixed restorations, we offer a 5-year warranty as long as you keep up with regular exams, cleanings, and any dentist-recommended maintenance.
To stay eligible for warranty protection, you’ll need to complete all suggested maintenance at the intervals outlined by the provider or manufacturer. Failure to follow and document routine care could lead to reduced or voided coverage. Proof of service may be required if a claim is submitted.
