I will try to explain as briefly as possible, the difference between a boil bite type form fit mouth guard and the direct fit one size fits all mouth guard models. Comfortable fit is the primary difference in all basic mouth guards regardless if used for protection during sports or used to cushion teeth when grinding or clenching (a condition commonly known as bruxism). All mouth guards act to cushion teeth from excessive wear while separating the teeth to defuse muscle and joint stress. But not all mouth guards offer a comfortable enough fit to allow long duration day or night use. Custom made or over the counter (OTC), boil and bite or not,  how do you choose?

 The best fitting most comfortable mouth guards are the most expensive guards made by dental professionals from a bite impression model of your teeth. This type of mouth guard fits your teeth like a tight glove but typically cost $100 to $400. When cost is not an objection these customs mouth guards are your best choice for comfort and fit.

The most difficult mouth guards to match fit over the teeth are the one size fits all non-boil bite all formed guards. These one size fits all guards assume all mouths are one size! In fact, mouths vary in size/shape and are as uniquely individual as fingersprints. If you are that one exact sized mouth, or very close to it, then you get an accepable fit, but all other mouth sizes will suffer from over or under sizing. This makes finding a comfort matched fit somewhat of a gamble with non-boil type guards.

The boil and bite guards come in two standard types, single wall and double wall thermal plastic construction. Single wall types do take some impression form of the teeth when heated but generally fit loosely which is fine for short duration sports wear but can lead to discomfort if worn for long periods. Double wall combination construction offers the ideal compromise! By using softer material that allows for a bite impression deep enough to create a suction tight fit on the inside, like the expensive custom guards. Then placing that in an outer slightly firmer shell material that has a more general fit so it can be formed/shaped at home. Double wall cushioned boil and bite mouth guards offer the best, most comfortable fit and offer the most cost savings over dental office custom models!

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