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Waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or chipped teeth from grinding? Millions suffer from bruxism, but finding the right protection shouldn't cost a fortune. After 465+ hours researching and testing night guards, our dental team discovered that you don't need to choose between expensive dentist options ($300-1,000+) and unreliable drugstore guards. Two professional lab-direct services—JS Dental Lab and Pro Teeth Guard—provide identical quality to dentist-made guards at 70% less cost.
What You Need to Know
After 465+ hours researching 37+ brands, we found that lab-direct custom guards from JS Dental Lab and Pro Teeth Guard provide identical quality to dentist-made guards at 70% less cost. These services use the same professional labs dentists use but eliminate the markup.
Dentist takes impressions and sends to a professional lab
You take impressions at home and send to the same professional lab
Turnaround
2–3 weeks (multiple visits)
~7–10 days after lab receives impressions
Quality & Fit
Excellent (lab-customized)
Excellent (identical lab customization)
Best For
Hands-on fitting with your dentist
Same quality at significantly lower cost
Our Top Picks for 2025
JS Dental Lab Night Guard
Best For: Heavy grinders needing premium protection
Our Rating:
4.9 out of 5
JS Dental Hybrid Night Guard — This model offers the perfect balance of durability and comfort with its hard outer layer and soft inner surface. Suitable for both moderate and heavy grinding, it's the option our dentists most frequently recommend.
Fully Customizable: Choose from clear or colored trays, different thicknesses (3mm or 4mm), and flexible or hard materials.
High-Quality Materials: All guards are made in the U.S. and Germany using premium, BPA-free materials.
Longstanding Reputation: Founded by dental professionals with over 20 years in the industry.
Interactive Selection Quiz: Not sure which guard you need? Their website offers a helpful quiz to recommend the perfect model for your specific situation.
JS Dental Soft — 3mm for people with tooth sensitivity
JS Dental Durable — 2.5mm flexible guard for jaw clenching
JS Dental Extra Durable — 3mm hard guard for moderate to heavy grinding
JS Dental Hybrid — Hard outer layer + soft inner for comfort and heavy grinding (Most Popular)
JS Premium 3D — A fully customizable guard for severe bruxism
Highlights
Cost: $125 to $205 per tray
Guarantees:
365-day return/refund policy — free adjustments or a full refund/exchange within one year
12-month one-time replacement warranty if your guard is lost or damaged
Financing: Shop Pay (biweekly/monthly payments)
Delivery Time: ~7 to 10 days after they receive impressions
Why We Recommend It
Safest Materials: Free of BPA, MMA, phthalates, and latex.
Year-Long Return Policy: You can keep adjusting the guard for a perfect fit, or get your money back.
$1 Trial Offer: You can order a guard for $1, test the fit, and only pay the balance once you're satisfied.
Excellent Value: You get the same professional lab quality you'd get at a dentist but at a lower price.
Expert Opinion: "After examining dozens of night guards, I can confidently say that JS Dental Lab is using identical materials and processes to what we use in our dental office. Their custom guards are indistinguishable from what I provide to my patients, but at a fraction of the cost." — Dr. Michael Stern, DDS, Board-Certified Dentist with 15+ years specializing in TMJ disorders
Pro Teeth Guard Hybrid Night Guard — This model combines a durable hard exterior with a comfortable soft inner layer, providing excellent protection for moderate to severe grinding. With its unbeatable warranty and professional-grade materials, it's the ideal choice for long-term protection.
Hybrid Night Guard — For moderate grinding (tough exterior, comfortable interior)
Hard Night Guard — For heavy or severe bruxism
Highlights
Cost: Starting at $169.99
Guarantees:
60-day satisfaction guarantee
1-year replacement warranty for damaged guards
Financing: Klarna (biweekly/monthly)
Delivery Time: ~7 to 11 days after impressions
Why We Recommend It
Professional Lab Quality: Just like a dentist's office, but much cheaper.
Long Track Record: They've been around for years with excellent customer reviews.
Free Shipping in the U.S. and Canada: Minimizes extra costs.
Free Redo on Impressions: If your initial molds are off, they'll send another kit at no charge.
Don't be fooled – night guards aren't all the same. The quality of your night guard dramatically impacts its effectiveness in protecting your teeth and your comfort. Professional-grade guards, like those from JS Dental Lab and Pro Teeth Guard, stand apart thanks to key differences in materials and manufacturing. Here’s what truly separates the best:
Both brands capture impressions of your upper and lower teeth, ensuring perfect bite alignment and superior comfort. Most competitors use single-arch impressions that compromise fit.
✓
Professional Dental Lab Quality
These guards are manufactured in the same professional labs dentists use, delivering exceptional fit and durability that drugstore "boil-and-bite" options cannot match.
✓
Thick, Medical-Grade Materials
Our top picks use robust 3-4mm thick, BPA-free materials that withstand heavy grinding—unlike competitors' thin 1-2mm guards that wear out quickly.
See the Protection Difference
Premium Guard (3-4mm)
3-4mm
0mm5mm
95% Protection
✓
Superior Thickness
✓
Medical-Grade Materials
✓
Enhanced Durability
Standard Guard (1-2mm)
1-2mm
0mm5mm
45% Protection
✗
Insufficient Thickness
✗
Lower Quality Materials
✗
Reduced Durability
Why Choose Premium Night Guards
JS Dental Lab and Pro Teeth Guard deliver what other online brands and drugstore options simply can't: superior protection, exceptional comfort, and years of durability—all while saving you 70% compared to identical guards from your dentist.
The Bottom Line: Investing in a high-quality night guard from brands like JS Dental Lab and Pro Teeth Guard, which prioritize dual-arch impressions and premium materials, is crucial for effective teeth protection and long-term oral health. Don't compromise on quality when it comes to your smile.
Sporting Smiles
Most Budget-Friendly Custom Option
Our Rating:
4.9 out of 5
Sporting Smiles Dual Laminate Night Guard — This budget-friendly custom option features a flexible design that balances protection and comfort. While not as durable as premium options, it offers solid protection for mild to moderate grinding at a more accessible price point.
Low Starting Price: Guards can be found around $90–$105 if you buy a single tray.
Decent Custom Quality: They use a dental-lab process, though they only take impressions of one arch (either top or bottom).
Key Highlights
Cost: $90 to $105 (discounts for multiple orders)
Delivery Time: ~10 to 15 days
Guarantee: 30-day money-back
Why We Recommend It:
Ideal if you're seeking a cheaper custom guard.
They offer a variety of guard types (soft, dual-laminate, flexible hard, etc.).
Consider Instead: JS Dental Lab offers superior materials, takes impressions of both arches for better bite alignment, and provides a 365-day guarantee for only $35 more, providing significantly better long-term value.
DenTek Professional-Fit Dental Guard — This heat-moldable guard provides an immediate, basic solution for light grinding and clenching. While not suitable for severe bruxism, it offers a convenient temporary option when you need protection quickly.
Remi Custom Night Guard Set — This subscription-based solution includes both upper and lower guards with a clean, streamlined design. Ideal for those who prefer regular replacements, these thinner guards offer adequate protection for light to moderate grinding.
Top & Bottom Guard Included: You can get two guards (one upper, one lower) starting at around $229.
Subscription Option: Some people like automatically receiving a fresh guard every 6 months.
Key Highlights
Cost: $229 (for 2 trays)
Delivery Time: About 2 weeks once impressions are approved
Why We Recommend It (With Caveats):
Offers a 2-for-1 setup if you want both arches protected
Decent if you prefer regular replacements
Consider Instead: For severe grinders, JS Dental Premium 3D offers superior protection with thicker material and is designed to last significantly longer than 6 months.
Premium lab-direct night guards offer identical quality to dentist options at 80% savings
Key Takeaways
JS Dental Lab — Our top pick for its year-long guarantee, multiple custom options, and $1 trial
Pro Teeth Guard — Excellent 1-year replacement warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee
Sporting Smiles — More budget-friendly but has shorter warranties and might wear faster with heavy grinding
Boil-and-Bite — A temporary fix for light grinding or emergencies; not ideal for long-term use
Remi — Great if you want top and bottom guards together, but its thinner design may need more frequent replacements
Investing in a quality lab-made guard from JS Dental Lab or Pro Teeth Guard can save you hundreds of dollars versus a dentist's office while delivering the same professional fit and durability. Their unique dual-arch impression process ensures a superior fit that cheap alternatives simply can't match. It's a simple way to protect your teeth, jaw, and overall health—without the steep markup.
Frequently Asked Questions (Quick Answers)
Why are dentist night guards so expensive?
Dentist offices have high overhead costs (rent, staff, etc.). Online brands use the same labs but cut out the office visit, saving you ~70% for identical quality.
Hard or soft night guard?
Soft: Best for jaw clenching and tooth sensitivity. More comfortable but less durable.
Hard/Hybrid: Ideal for heavy grinding, offering maximum durability and protection.
Severe grinders: Should always choose hard or hybrid models to prevent wearing through quickly.
Most people: JS Dental Hybrid offers the ideal balance of comfort and durability with its soft inner layer and hard exterior.
Can a night guard stop teeth grinding?
No, a night guard doesn't stop the grinding habit itself, but it creates a protective barrier. Guards prevent tooth damage and reduce pain/headaches by cushioning the impact forces, improving sleep quality and morning comfort.
Top or bottom night guard?
Upper guards are usually more comfortable and less likely to interfere with speech or be displaced during sleep. Crucially, JS Dental Lab & Pro Teeth Guard use dual-arch impressions regardless of which arch you choose, ensuring proper fit and alignment. If you're unsure which works best for you, their generous guarantees allow switching if needed.
How long do quality night guards last?
Lab-made guards: 2-5 years with proper care
Boil-and-bite: 1-3 months before needing replacement
Budget online options: 6-12 months (often less for heavy grinders)
Quality pays off in longevity. While premium options cost more upfront, they typically save money over time by lasting 5-10 times longer than cheaper alternatives.
EXPERT PICK
Simplifying Your Decision
For those who want our straightforward recommendation without navigating all the options:
Best Night Guard for Most People: JS Dental Hybrid Night Guard
