Most people who grind or clench their teeth do it at night without ever knowing it. By the time the damage becomes noticeable, years of excessive force have already taken a toll on enamel, restorations, and the joints that control jaw movement. A custom night guard is the most effective way to interrupt that cycle and protect your teeth from further wear before the damage compounds.
At Alber Dental Studio, we provide custom-fitted night guards for patients throughout Boulder and the surrounding communities. Our approach to night guard therapy begins with a thorough evaluation to confirm that grinding or clenching is occurring, assess the existing damage, and determine whether any other factors, such as a misaligned bite or sleep-related breathing issues, are contributing to the problem. A well-fitted night guard is part of a larger picture of general dental care that keeps your teeth healthy and functional for the long term.
What Is Bruxism and Why Does It Matter?
Bruxism is the clinical term for grinding or clenching the teeth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, sleep bruxism affects an estimated 8 to 10 percent of adults and often goes undetected until a dentist identifies the characteristic wear patterns at a routine exam. Because it occurs during sleep, most patients have no awareness of the habit and no memory of it in the morning.
The forces generated during sleep bruxism are significantly greater than the forces used during normal chewing. Over time, this repeated loading wears down enamel, fractures teeth, chips restorations, and places excessive strain on the temporomandibular joints and surrounding muscles. Common symptoms include flattened or worn tooth surfaces, increased tooth sensitivity, morning jaw soreness or headaches, earaches without ear infection, and a tired or tight feeling in the jaw muscles. A bed partner may also notice the sound of grinding during the night.
Untreated bruxism leads to a predictable sequence of damage. Enamel does not regenerate, so every episode of grinding removes a layer that cannot be replaced. As enamel thins, teeth become more sensitive to temperature and more vulnerable to decay. Teeth may also begin to fracture, chip, or crack, requiring increasingly involved restorative treatment to repair. The jaw joints and surrounding muscles absorb significant strain from clenching, which can develop into chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping in the joint, and limited range of motion. Addressing bruxism with a night guard early prevents this cascade before it reaches a point that requires crowns, implants, or other major intervention.
Custom Night Guards at Alber Dental Studio
A night guard is a custom-fabricated oral appliance worn during sleep that creates a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth. When grinding or clenching occurs, the forces are absorbed by the guard material rather than by the enamel and tooth structure. This does not stop the bruxism habit itself, but it dramatically reduces the damage caused by it and can also help relieve muscle tension in the jaw.
The critical word is custom. Store-bought boil-and-bite night guards are a poor substitute for a professionally made device. They are bulky, imprecise, and often poorly tolerated, which means patients stop wearing them quickly. A custom night guard fabricated from detailed impressions of your teeth fits snugly, stays in place throughout the night, and is far more comfortable for long-term nightly use. It is also calibrated to your specific bite, which matters for both effectiveness and joint comfort. Our advanced dental technology supports precise impressions and fabrication so your guard fits from the first night.
Night guards also play an important role in protecting existing dental work. Patients who have had crowns, veneers, implants, or bridges are particularly vulnerable to damage from bruxism because the restorations are not as resilient as natural enamel and can fracture or dislodge under the forces generated during grinding. A night guard significantly extends the lifespan of these restorations and protects the investment made in restorative or cosmetic treatment. If you have recently completed significant dental work, ask Dr. Alber whether a night guard is appropriate for your situation.
What to Expect When Getting a Night Guard
Getting a custom night guard at Alber Dental Studio is a straightforward two-appointment process. At the first visit, Dr. Alber evaluates your bite, assesses the wear patterns on your teeth, and takes detailed impressions or a digital scan of your upper and lower arches. These are sent to a dental lab where your guard is fabricated to precise specifications. At the second visit, Dr. Alber checks the fit, makes any necessary adjustments, and confirms that the guard is comfortable and properly aligned to your bite.
Most patients adapt to wearing a night guard within a few weeks. We provide detailed care instructions to maximize the lifespan of the device and monitor its condition at your regular exams. Night guards typically last several years with proper care, though patients who grind heavily may wear through them faster. We also treat bruxism in the broader context of your overall oral health, checking at each visit whether the guard is performing as intended and whether any new wear or damage has occurred.
- Have healthy teeth and gums with no untreated decay or gum disease
- Want to address stains, chips, gaps, or irregular tooth shape
- Maintain good daily oral hygiene habits
- Do not grind excessively, or are willing to wear a night guard
- Have sufficient enamel to support bonding
- Are looking for a long-term cosmetic investment
Dr. Alber will confirm veneers are the right fit during your consultation — and clearly explain any alternative if they’re not.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
Consultation & Smile Design
Dr. Alber begins with a thorough exam to confirm you are a good candidate — healthy gums, adequate enamel, and no untreated decay. From there, we discuss your smile goals and review shade options. Digital photos help visualize the proposed changes before any treatment begins. For patients unsure about shade or shape, we can discuss temporary mock-ups to preview the result.
Tooth Preparation & Impressions
At your second appointment, a very thin layer of enamel (typically 0.5mm) is removed from each tooth receiving a veneer. This step is permanent — the tooth structure that is removed is not replaced — so it is important that you are fully committed to the treatment before preparation begins. Impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab, and temporary veneers are placed to protect your teeth while the custom porcelain shells are fabricated. Lab turnaround is typically two to three weeks.
Final Placement & Bonding
When the lab returns your custom veneers, Dr. Alber places each shell on the tooth temporarily to check the fit, color, and bite before permanently bonding them. Minor adjustments can be made at this stage. Once both you and Dr. Alber are satisfied with how the veneers look and feel, they are permanently bonded using a dental-grade adhesive and light-cured into place. The temporaries are removed and your new smile is complete — in the same appointment.
Bonding & Final Polish
Permanent veneers are placed, adjusted for fit and bite, bonded with light-cured adhesive, and polished for a seamless result.
Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep
Schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Alber and find out whether porcelain veneers are the right path for your smile goals. No pressure — just an honest assessment.
Veneers vs. Composite Bonding
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Bonding
Both are cosmetic options — the right choice depends on the extent of the change you want and how long you want results to last.
| Porcelain Veneers | Composite Bonding | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Custom-fabricated porcelain — lab made | Tooth-colored composite resin — chair-side applied |
| Longevity | 10–20 years with proper care | 5–10 years; may chip or stain sooner |
| Stain resistance | Highly stain-resistant | More susceptible to staining over time |
| Tooth reduction | Minimal — thin enamel layer removed | Often none — additive process |
| Best for | Comprehensive smile transformations, permanent results | Minor corrections, budget-conscious patients, younger patients |
Caring for Your Veneers
How to Make Your Veneers Last
Porcelain veneers are durable and low-maintenance, but a few habits will help you get the most years from them:
Porcelain is strong but not indestructible. Biting down on hard objects puts stress on the bond and can chip the veneer. Treat your veneers the same way you would treat natural teeth — avoid using them as tools.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) is one of the most common causes of early veneer failure. If you grind at night, Dr. Alber will recommend a custom night guard to protect your veneers and underlying teeth from damage.
Veneers are maintained just like natural teeth — brush twice daily and floss regularly. Avoid highly abrasive toothpastes, which can scratch the porcelain surface over time. We recommend a non-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste for daily use.
Routine six-month exams and cleanings let Dr. Alber inspect your veneers for any early signs of wear, edge lifting, or gum changes. Catching small issues early is always easier — and less costly — than addressing them later.
Night Guards With Flexible Payment Options
Night guards are often covered in part by dental insurance, particularly when bruxism is documented and associated with tooth damage. Our team will review your benefits before treatment begins. For any out-of-pocket costs, we offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon, and we accept HSA and FSA funds. Visit our financing page to learn more.
Also at Alber Dental Studio
Explore Our Other Cosmetic Services
Veneers are one part of a comprehensive cosmetic dentistry offering at Alber Dental Studio.
A customized combination of cosmetic treatments — veneers, whitening, Invisalign, and bonding — designed around your unique smile goals.
A same-appointment option for minor chips or gaps — no enamel removal needed.
Professional-strength whitening when tooth color is the primary concern.
Read What Our Customers Are Saying
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
How long does it take to get a night guard?
Why not just use an over-the-counter night guard?
Does insurance cover a night guard?
How long does a night guard last?
Will a night guard cure my grinding habit?
Alber Dental Studio: Night Guards in Boulder, CO
Dr. Marc Alber and our team have helped Boulder patients protect their teeth from bruxism damage for over 26 years. We take a thorough, proactive approach to identifying grinding and clenching before significant damage accumulates, and we provide night guards that patients actually wear because they fit properly and are comfortable from the start. Learn more about Dr. Alber’s background by visiting his provider profile. If you wake up with jaw soreness, have been told you grind at night, or have noticed your teeth becoming more worn or sensitive, contact our Boulder office to schedule an evaluation. Protecting your teeth now is far simpler than repairing the damage later.