I just spent a lot of money on a smile makeover. I now have eight Lumineers on my front teeth. Now, the dentist is telling me I need a night guard? Is this important? He said he can tell I grind my teeth but I really am not aware of this. I am stretching my budget and feel like he’s just selling me. If I don’t need it, I don’t want to fork out the extra money for it. Anyone heard of this?

– Melissa in Missouri

Melissa,

Cosmetic dentistry can be expensive. Although, it should be assumed that your cosmetic dentist has your best interest in mind. If he has seen hints of damage on your teeth and can tell you have been grinding, a night guard is well worth protecting the investment you just made on your beautiful new smile. An oral appliance helps to protect many cosmetic dentistry treatments like Lumineers and porcelain veneers, or porcelain crowns. Veneers may chip or crack under the force of night grinding.

Another thing worth mentioning is that since your Lumineers are new, they feel different to your body. So many people will grind subconsciously because of that. If your bite feels different, grinding, biting, and clenching can occur while you are asleep. In addition to breaking, the Lumineers may come off if left unprotected and. A night guard will also help to prevent gum recession.

You can expect a new night guard to be a couple hundred dollars or more. But when you compare what you have already paid on your smile makeover, hopefully you agree it is worth spending.

Unfortunately, your dentist should have mentioned this at the beginning of treatment so you don’t feel like he is trying to sell you. But you strongly should consider getting a night guard if you are a grinder.