Night guards protect teeth from grinding and clenching (bruxism), which can crack teeth and wear them down.
What’s included
Impressions are taken and a lab makes a hard or soft guard fitted to your teeth.
Cost at a glance
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Without insurance | $300-$800 custom guard |
| Typical | about $500 |
| With insurance (80% coverage) | about $60-$160 plus deductible |
What affects the price
- Custom lab-made vs over-the-counter.
- Hard acrylic vs soft or hybrid.
With dental insurance
Most plans treat this as basic care and pay about 80% after your deductible (usually around $50), up to your annual maximum, so a $500 bill typically leaves you paying around $150. New plans often have waiting periods (6 months for basic, 12 months for major work). Run your own numbers with the dental cost estimator.
Ways to pay less
- Some plans cover night guards (often at 50%) when prescribed for bruxism.
- Online lab-made guards from your dentist’s impressions can be cheaper.
- Dental discount plans (not insurance) typically cut fees 10-60% at participating dentists: compare with the insurance vs discount plan calculator.
- Dental schools and community health centers offer reduced-fee care. See how to afford dental work.
Cost ranges are national estimates compiled from published consumer cost guides and fee surveys (checked October 2026). Your dentist’s fees depend on your location, your mouth and their practice. This page is general information, not dental or medical advice.
What people actually paid for night guard
Real prices reported by readers, not estimates. We only show a figure once enough people have reported it, and we never show individual reports.
Loading reader reports…
Had a night guard recently? Share what you paid
See all procedures on what people paid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a custom night guard?
Custom guards fit better and last longer; drugstore guards can work short-term.
Questions from readers
Question about Night guard? Ask it here. We answer general questions on this page. For anything about your own teeth, ask your dentist.
Ask a question
Free · No obligation
Find an affordable dentist near you
Tell us what you need and we’ll try to connect you with a participating dentist or dental savings option in your area.
