Cosmetic Dentistry

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Your teeth are tougher than you might think, but they’re no match for the grinding forces of bruxism or the sudden impact of a basketball to the face. Every day, people lose teeth to preventable accidents and unconscious nighttime habits, facing painful injuries and costly repairs that could have been avoided with one simple solution. A custom mouthguard acts as your smile’s personal bodyguard, standing between your teeth and the forces that threaten them. At Lumin8 Dentistry, Dr. Jun Carrington and our experienced team create custom mouthguards that fit perfectly and protect effectively. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures your mouthguard provides maximum protection without compromising comfort, so you can focus on what matters most, whether that’s performing your best on the field or getting a restful night’s sleep.

Why Custom Mouthguards Outperform Store-Bought Options

Custom mouthguards deliver superior protection compared to the generic alternatives available at retail stores. When we create a mouthguard specifically for your mouth at Lumin8 Dentistry, we take digital impressions using an intraoral scanner and gums to ensure a perfect fit. This personalized approach means your mouthguard stays securely in place during use, won’t slip or cause discomfort, and provides complete coverage for all your teeth. Generic mouthguards require boiling and biting to achieve a semi-custom fit, but this process rarely produces optimal results. These one-size-fits-all options often feel bulky, make breathing difficult, and interfere with communication. More importantly, they may not provide adequate protection because gaps between the guard and your teeth can allow impact forces to cause damage. Custom mouthguards eliminate these concerns by conforming precisely to your dental anatomy. The material quality of custom mouthguards also surpasses that of store-bought versions. We use durable, professional-grade materials that withstand repeated use while maintaining their protective properties. This means your investment lasts longer and continues protecting your smile effectively over time.

Sports Mouthguards for Athletes

If you or your family members participate in contact sports or activities with a risk of facial impact, a sports mouthguard is an essential piece of protective equipment. Athletic mouthguards protect against knocked-out teeth, fractured teeth, jaw injuries, and soft tissue damage to your lips, tongue, and cheeks. These injuries can be painful, require extensive restorative treatment, and potentially sideline you from the activities you love. Sports mouthguards are particularly important for athletes involved in football, basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, wrestling, and similar activities. However, even non-contact sports like gymnastics, skateboarding, and cycling can benefit from mouthguard protection. Any activity where falls, equipment contact, or collisions might occur puts your teeth at risk.

Custom Sports Mouthguards at Lumin8 Dentistry

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, an estimated 32% of childhood dental injuries occurred during sports-related incidents. That is why we create sports mouthguards that fit comfortably enough for extended wear during practices and competitions. Your custom guard won’t restrict your breathing or speech, allowing you to perform at your highest level while staying protected. Many athletes find that once they experience a properly fitted custom mouthguard, they never want to return to generic versions. For young athletes whose mouths are still growing and developing, we may recommend periodic remakes to ensure the mouthguard continues fitting properly. Growing children can experience changes in their dental structure that affect how well their mouthguard fits, so monitoring and updating as needed maintains optimal protection.

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, affects many people during sleep without them even realizing it. If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. Over time, this unconscious habit can wear down your enamel, crack or chip teeth, damage existing dental crowns or fillings, and contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A custom night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the forces generated by grinding and clenching. This protection prevents further damage to your teeth and may help reduce associated symptoms like jaw pain and morning headaches. Many patients report improved sleep quality once they begin using a night guard, as they no longer unconsciously tense their jaw muscles throughout the night. Night guards differ from sports mouthguards in their construction and purpose. While sports guards focus on impact protection, night guards are designed for extended comfortable wear and to provide a smooth surface that discourages grinding movements. We customize your night guard’s thickness and design based on the severity of your grinding and your specific needs.

The Custom Mouthguard Creation Process

Creating your custom mouthguard at Lumin8 Dentistry begins with taking precise impressions of your teeth. We may use traditional impression materials or our advanced digital dentistry tools to capture the exact dimensions and contours of your mouth. Digital impressions offer increased comfort during the process and ensure exceptional accuracy in your final mouthguard. Once we have your impressions, we send them to a professional dental laboratory where technicians fabricate your mouthguard using high-quality materials. The lab creates a digital model of your teeth from the digital impressions, then forms the mouthguard material over this model under heat and pressure. This process ensures every detail of your dental anatomy is reflected in your custom guard. When your mouthguard is ready, you’ll return to our office for a fitting appointment. Dr. Carrington will check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure you’re comfortable wearing it. We’ll also provide instructions on proper care and cleaning to maximize your mouthguard’s lifespan and maintain good oral hygiene.

Protect Your Smile at Lumin8 Dentistry

Your smile is an essential part of your appearance, confidence, and overall health. Whether you need protection during athletic activities or relief from nighttime grinding, custom mouthguards from Lumin8 Dentistry offer superior comfort and protection compared to generic alternatives. Dr. Jun Carrington and our skilled team use advanced technology and personalized care to create mouthguards that fit perfectly and perform excellently, giving you peace of mind that your teeth are protected. Don’t risk damaging your teeth when custom protection is readily available. As a comprehensive dental practice serving Lakewood, WA, and surrounding communities, we’re committed to helping you maintain optimal oral health through both treatment and prevention. Our investment in state-of-the-art technology and patient-centered approach ensures you receive the highest-quality care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how a custom mouthguard can protect your smile for years to come.

Ready to start your smile transformation? Contact Lumin8 Dentistry today to schedule your consultation and discover the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry. Your dream smile is just a call away!

(253) 581-6140

Custom Mouthguards in Lakewood, WA