How Much Does a Dentist Charge for a Mouth Guard? (Your 2024 Cost Guide)
If your dentist has ever talked about a mouth guard—or if you’ve got jaw pain from grinding your teeth at night—you might be asking, how much does a dentist charge for a mouth guard? I’ve gone through this myself, and what I found out might surprise you. I’ll walk you through the prices, what changes the cost, what insurance helps with, and if a dentist-made mouth guard is actually worth your money. Grab a drink, get comfy, and let me share what I’ve learned and what I went through getting a mouth guard.
Table of Contents
- Does Dental Insurance Cover Mouth Guards?
- When Medical Insurance May Cover It
- Understanding Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- Over-the-Counter Options (Boil-and-Bite, Stock Guards)
- Direct-to-Consumer Custom Guards (Online)
- Dentist-Made Custom Mouth Guards
Understanding Mouth Guard Costs: The Dentist’s Perspective
When I thought about getting a mouth guard, I thought the price would be simple. Turns out, it’s not that easy—costs depend on a bunch of things and can surprise even folks used to the dentist.
Average Cost Range for Custom Mouth Guards
Let’s break down what you’ll spend at the dentist in 2024. From what I found out, and after asking my dentist a ton of questions, here’s what to expect:
| Mouth Guard Type | Average Cost Range (2024) |
|---|---|
| Night Guard (Bruxism/TMJ) | $300 – $800+ |
| Custom Sports Guard | $200 – $500 |
| Oral Appliance (Sleep Apnea) | $1,800 – $3,000+ |
But hey, the curveball: over-the-counter (OTC) guards run from $15 to $50, and the kind you order online are about $100 to $300. But the differences aren’t just about the price, and I’ll cover that later.
Why the Price Varies: Key Factors Influencing Cost
I wondered why insurance might not cover my night guard, or why my friend’s sports guard was cheaper than my TMJ one. Here’s what really changes the price:
- Type of Mouth Guard: Guards for grinding at night, sports, or sleep apnea all cost different because of how tricky they are and what insurance pays for.
- Material Used: Some are soft, others hard, or both (hard outside and soft inside)—each kind lasts different and costs more or less.
- Where You Live: Big city? Usually more expensive. Small town? Might be cheaper.
- Dentist’s Experience & Overhead: A dentist who’s really good or uses a fancy dental ceramics lab may charge more than your family dentist.
- What’s Included: Some prices cover taking impressions, small changes, and coming back for a check. Others don’t.
Bottom line? Two people in the same city can pay totally different amounts, even if they want the same kind of mouth guard.
Types of Mouth Guards & Their Specific Costs
Once I started looking, I found out there isn’t just one kind of mouth guard. Knowing what you need—and why—can really help your wallet and your teeth.
Night Guards for Bruxism & TMJ
Got jaw pain in the morning? Been there! Night guards protect you from grinding (bruxism) and clenching (TMJ). There’s:
- Soft guards (for light grinders, cost less)
- Hard guards (for tough grinders, cost more)
- Hybrid/dual guards (soft inside, hard outside)
Usual Cost: $300 to $800+. Mine was about $400, and yours will probably fall somewhere in there—unless you need a bunch of changes or have a weird bite.
What you get: It fits your teeth way better, and the dentist will check and fix it until it feels good.
Custom Sports Mouth Guards
Play sports or have a kid who does? A dentist-made mouth guard can save you from a broken tooth (and a big bill!). They’re not like the cheap ones you mold in hot water at home:
- Fit much better, so you can talk and breathe
- Protect your mouth a lot more
Usual Cost: $200 to $500. Pick your color or add a team logo, and it might cost a bit extra.
Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
These cost more. Sleep apnea appliances are custom and you need a doctor to prescribe them. They move your jaw forward a bit to help you breathe at night. My cousin needed one and gasped when she saw the price—until her insurance saved her.
Usual Cost: $1,800 to $3,000+, but health insurance might help if your doctor says you need it for sleep problems.
These are more complicated, and you need follow-ups and reports to get the best fit.
Insurance Coverage: Dental vs. Medical
When my bill showed up, my first thought was, “Will my insurance pay for any of this?” It can get confusing, so here’s what I found out.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Mouth Guards?
Most of the time, dental insurance covers part of the price—if it’s for grinding or TMJ. Here’s what I learned:
- Coverage: Usually pays 50% to 80% after your deductible. My plan paid 60%.
- Codes: Stuff like D9940 (night guard), D9944 (hard guard), or D8210 matter for the paperwork.
- Rules: You might only get a new guard every 1-5 years on insurance.
Remember the deductibles, co-pays, and things that aren’t covered. Sometimes, insurance says mouth guards aren’t “necessary”—so always double-check or call your company.
When Medical Insurance May Cover It
This is different if you have sleep apnea or major TMJ issues. Health insurance can help with:
- Sleep Apnea: If a doctor says you have it, and writes you a script, your regular medical insurance may pay.
- Bad TMJ: Only if you’ve got real, proven health problems (not just some jaw clenching).
Look out for the right medical codes, and ask your dentist or doctor to fill out everything the insurance guys want.
Understanding Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Insurance almost never pays it all. What will you really pay?
- Deductible: What you have to spend first before insurance pays anything.
- Co-pay: The part you pay after insurance.
- Out-of-pocket max: The most you’ll pay for covered things in a year.
Tip: Always check your paperwork, ask your dentist to ask the insurance first (pre-approve), and get answers in writing.
Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Mouth Guards: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
I tried boil-and-bite guards before I finally got a custom one. Here’s what I wish I’d known first.
Over-the-Counter Options (Boil-and-Bite, Stock Guards)
Go to any drugstore and you’ll see these. They’re cheap and fast.
- Cost: $15 to $50.
- Pros: Cheap, easy.
- Cons: They usually fit bad, feel big, might fall out at night, or don’t really help. Mine ended up on the floor by morning and didn’t help my jaw at all.
Direct-to-Consumer Custom Guards (Online)
Now you can buy “custom” guards online. You do a mold yourself, send it back, and get a guard made from that.
- Cost: $100 to $300.
- Pros: Not as pricey as the dentist, almost a custom fit.
- Cons: No dentist checks it. I tried one during Covid. It worked OK, but wasn’t as comfortable as the real one from my dentist. If your bite is weird or you need it fixed, you’re on your own.
Dentist-Made Custom Mouth Guards
This is the best you can get for fit and protection. Your dentist takes careful molds (sometimes with a digital scan), checks your bite, and sends the info to a night guard dental lab.
- Cost: $300 to $800+ for night guards, $200 to $500 for sports, $1,800+ for sleep apnea appliances.
- Pros: Fits great, works best, dentist can adjust, and you know it’s well made.
- Cons: Costs more at the start.
I think the extra money beats headaches, broken teeth, and re-doing cheap ones.
How to Afford a Dentist-Made Mouth Guard
Sticker shock is real, but there are ways to make it easier.
- Payment Plans & Financing: Lots of dentists let you pay over months (like CareCredit). Just ask—I got several options at my dentist’s office.
- Discount Dental Plans: These plans cut prices for dental stuff, including mouth guards, if you go to certain dentists.
- FSA/HSA Funds: If your guard is for health (like for grinding or apnea), you can pay with FSA or HSA money. This saved me about 20%!
- Cash Discounts: Some dentists take a little off the price if you pay all at once, to skip the card or insurance fees.
Always ask about deals, or if they use certain china dental labs which can lower the price without making it worse.
The Process of Getting a Custom Mouth Guard from Your Dentist
Wondering what getting a custom guard is like? Here’s the step-by-step, from my own visits:
Is a Custom Mouth Guard Worth the Investment?
I wasn’t sure at first. But after months of sleeping better and not breaking teeth, I’m sold.
- Saves Money: Fixing even one tooth can be $800 or way more. A good guard can stop that.
- Feel Better: Better sleep, no jaw pain, and you know you’re keeping your teeth safe.
- Lasts Way Longer: Custom guards can last years if you’re careful. Drugstore ones can fall apart in a few months or even sooner.
- Made for You: Your dentist will make sure it works for your mouth, braces, and how you bite. It’s not a gamble.
It’s kind of like wearing flip-flops to run a marathon—won’t work. But the custom guard is like expensive sneakers for a long run.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision for Your Oral Health
So, how much does a dentist charge for a mouth guard? You’ll pay anywhere from $200 to over $3,000. It’s not small change, but when you see how much fixing teeth costs, or pay for medical mouthpieces, it makes a lot more sense.
My advice: don’t just look for the lowest price. Talk honestly with your dentist, ask about every option, and make sure you know what you’re getting. Protect your teeth now and you’ll be happy you did for years down the road.
Got questions? Definitely ask your dentist what’s best for you and what you can afford. In dental care, a good mouth guard really is the kind of prevention that can save you big time later.
