To get a custom snoring mouthguard, make an appointment with a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine. The dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw, then takes a digital scan or dental impressions to make a device for your mouth. A medical professional should also assess whether sleep apnea may be involved, because a mouthguard is not the right solution for every cause of snoring.
Which type of mouthguard should you choose for snoring?
A custom snoring mouthguard is usually a dental device called a mandibular advancement device (MAD), also known as a mandibular advancement splint. It fits over the teeth and holds the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. This position can help keep the upper airway open and reduce snoring in people who are suitable candidates for the device.
It is important to distinguish a snoring mouthguard from a standard night guard used to protect teeth from grinding. Although both are worn during sleep, they have different purposes. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline, oral appliances can be prescribed for adults with primary snoring, and a qualified dentist should provide a custom, adjustable appliance when oral appliance therapy is prescribed for adults with obstructive sleep apnea.
Should you see a doctor before ordering a mouthguard?
Yes, a medical assessment is an important first step when snoring is persistent, disruptive, or accompanied by other sleep-related concerns. A primary care doctor or sleep specialist can review your symptoms, medical history, and possible causes before recommending treatment. The NHS guidance on snoring recommends seeking medical advice when snoring significantly affects daily life or when breathing pauses, choking sounds, or daytime sleepiness occur.
These concerns matter because snoring can sometimes occur alongside obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute identifies loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and daytime tiredness among possible signs of sleep apnea. A healthcare professional may recommend a sleep study to determine whether this condition is present and which treatment is appropriate.
How do you get a custom-fitted snoring mouthguard?
1. Find a dentist with dental sleep medicine experience
Look for a dentist who has specific training or experience in dental sleep medicine and fitting oral appliances for sleep-related breathing problems. Your doctor or sleep specialist may be able to recommend a qualified provider. When contacting a dental office, explain that you are interested in a custom snoring appliance rather than a routine night guard for teeth grinding.
Ask whether the dentist works with sleep physicians, evaluates patients for dental suitability, and provides adjustments and follow-up appointments. The goal is to find a provider who can help select and manage an appropriate appliance rather than simply supply a device based on an online order.
2. Attend an in-person dental examination
At the initial visit, the dentist examines your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw. They may review existing dental work, your ability to move your jaw comfortably, and any history of jaw-joint problems. These details help determine whether a mandibular advancement device is suitable and whether adjustments or additional dental care may be needed before treatment begins.
The dentist should also consider information from your medical or sleep evaluation. A device that fits your teeth may still be unsuitable if it cannot be used comfortably or safely. If your medical history suggests a sleep-related breathing disorder, the dentist and sleep specialist may need to coordinate your care.
3. Have your teeth scanned or impressions taken
If a custom appliance is appropriate, the dentist records the shape of your teeth and your bite. This usually involves either a digital scan or physical dental impressions made with impression material. The dentist also records how your upper and lower teeth relate to each other so that the appliance can be designed to fit securely and position the jaw as intended.
According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine's standards for oral appliance therapy, a comprehensive examination, precise dental impressions, and bite registration require in-person care. Virtual appointments may help with screening, education, or some follow-up discussions, but they do not replace these essential fitting steps.
4. Wait for the appliance to be made
The dental records are used to create a device that fits your individual teeth. A dental laboratory may fabricate the mouthguard from suitable materials, and the dentist will arrange another appointment when it is ready. The time required depends on the provider, laboratory, and appliance design. Ask the dental office for an estimated completion date rather than assuming that every custom mouthguard takes the same amount of time.
5. Try the mouthguard and have it adjusted
During the fitting appointment, the dentist checks whether the appliance fits securely and whether your jaw can move into the intended position comfortably. Some devices allow the lower jaw's forward position to be adjusted gradually. This is useful because the most appropriate position may need to be established through supervised adjustments instead of being set once and left unchanged.
Do not attempt to reshape the device or advance your jaw beyond the dentist's instructions. If the mouthguard feels excessively tight, slips out, causes significant discomfort, or makes it difficult to close your mouth normally, contact the dental office for assessment.
What should you ask before paying for a custom mouthguard?
Before committing to an appliance, make sure you understand what the proposed device is designed to do and how its results will be assessed. These questions can help you compare providers and avoid paying for a product that does not match your needs.
- Is this the right type of appliance? Ask whether a mandibular advancement device is appropriate for your specific reason for snoring.
- Is the device custom-made and adjustable? Confirm how it is fitted and whether its jaw position can be changed when necessary.
- What experience does the dentist have? Ask about training and experience in dental sleep medicine and oral appliance therapy.
- What does the total cost include? Request a written estimate covering the examination, appliance, fitting visits, adjustments, and follow-up care.
- Will further testing be needed? Ask whether a sleep study or other assessment is necessary before treatment and how the dentist and sleep specialist will check the results.
- What happens if the device does not fit well? Understand the arrangements for adjustments, repairs, and replacement.
How much does a custom snoring mouthguard cost?
The price varies by location, dental provider, appliance design, and the amount of follow-up care included. A custom device generally costs more initially than a basic store-bought mouthguard because it requires individualized dental records, fabrication, and professional fitting. However, the cheapest option is not necessarily the most suitable one for treating snoring or sleep apnea.
Before treatment, ask for an itemized estimate and check with your health or dental insurer about coverage. Some policies may cover particular oral appliances under specific conditions, while others may exclude them or require documentation. Clarify whether repeat visits, repairs, replacements, and any recommended sleep testing are charged separately.
What should you expect after getting the mouthguard?
It may take time to become comfortable wearing an oral appliance during sleep. Some people experience temporary tooth or gum soreness, jaw discomfort, dry mouth, or increased saliva. The Cleveland Clinic's guidance on mouthguards explains that an uncomfortable fit can cause soreness and that a dentist can check the appliance and make necessary adjustments.
Arrange follow-up visits as advised by your dentist. These appointments allow the provider to assess comfort, check the condition of the device, and look for unwanted changes in your bite or teeth. Tell the dentist about persistent pain, new difficulty bringing your teeth together, or other changes rather than continuing to wear an uncomfortable appliance without review.
Also, judge treatment by more than the sound of your snoring. If you have diagnosed or suspected obstructive sleep apnea, a quieter night does not by itself establish that your breathing is adequately controlled. Your sleep physician may recommend follow-up testing to check how well the appliance works and decide whether your treatment needs to change.
Are custom snoring mouthguards suitable for everyone?
No. A mandibular advancement device is not suitable for every person who snores. Its usefulness depends on the cause of the snoring, dental health, jaw function, and whether a sleep-related breathing disorder is present. People with certain dental or jaw problems may need a different approach or additional assessment before using an appliance.
Most established recommendations for custom mandibular advancement devices concern adults. If a child snores regularly, seek advice from a pediatric healthcare professional rather than using an adult snoring mouthguard without specialist assessment. Children may need a different evaluation and treatment plan based on their age and the reason for their snoring.
The practical route is to begin with an appropriate medical assessment, consult a dentist experienced in dental sleep medicine, and choose a custom-fitted appliance only after its suitability has been established. Proper fitting, planned adjustments, and follow-up care are important parts of using the device safely and determining whether it is helping.