You can't watch yourself sleep — which is why most people who grind or clench their teeth at night have no idea they're doing it. The teeth, though, keep the receipts. If you're waking up with a tired, aching jaw or your dentist has mentioned "wear", this one's for you.
If your jaw is telling you something in the mornings, we can check it.
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What is an occlusal splint?
An occlusal splint (night guard) is a slim, custom-made guard — usually worn over the upper teeth while you sleep. It does two jobs at once: it puts a protective barrier between your teeth so grinding wears the splint instead of your enamel, and it changes how your jaw muscles engage, which is why many people notice less morning jaw ache and fewer tension headaches.
Is a splint the same as a mouthguard?
No — they are different products built for different jobs. A sports mouthguard ($350) is thick and shock-absorbing, made to take an impact on the field. An occlusal splint ($650) is slim and hard-wearing, made to sit between opposing teeth all night and absorb grinding forces. They are not interchangeable, and one will not do the other's job. Both figures are what the item costs before your health fund is taken into account; splints and mouthguards sit under extras cover on many policies but the benefit varies a great deal, so we quote in writing beforehand and you can check that quote against your own cover before anything is made.
Signs you might need one
- Waking with a sore, tight or tired jaw, or dull morning headaches around the temples
- Teeth that look flattened, chipped or shorter than they used to
- New sensitivity to cold, as enamel thins from grinding
- A partner who can hear you grinding at night — the classic giveaway
- Cracked fillings or teeth without an obvious cause — clenching forces are enormous
- Clicking or aching jaw joints (in front of your ears) during the day
Grinding often tracks with stress, and plenty of people first notice it during a rough patch at work or home. You don't need every sign on the list — even one or two are worth an assessment, because enamel doesn't grow back.
Not sure whether grinding is what's going on? Ask us.
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Why custom beats the chemist boil-and-bite
Pharmacy guards are bulky, loose and often end up on the bedside table by week two. A custom splint is made from a precise digital scan of your teeth — slimmer, secure, and comfortable enough to actually wear every night, which is the whole game. It's also built from harder-wearing material, so it lasts.
The 3D part (no goopy moulds)
At Berala Dental, splints are made from a digital 3D impression — a small scanner glides over your teeth and builds an exact model on screen. No trays of goop, no gagging, and a precise fit — typically about a week from scan to fitting. It's part of how we use 3D dentistry across the clinic, and it makes the process especially easy for anxious patients.
How to find out for sure
An assessment settles it: we look at your wear patterns, your jaw muscles and joints, and whether a splint — or something else — is the right answer. A focused consultation is $80, again before any fund contribution, and any splint is quoted in writing before anything is made. See our mouthguards and night guards page for the full detail.
Happy to talk it through before anything is made — English, Arabic and Urdu are spoken at our Berala clinic, five minutes from Berala Station.
Call (02) 9649 6468 · Book online · WhatsApp
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please see a dentist to discuss what's right for you.
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