✍️ Authored by: Dr. Aykut Gürel — Specialist in Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Multidisciplinary management of bruxism + TMJ disorders, including occlusal splint design and follow-up. Coordinates complex cases with prosthodontists and physiotherapists. Last updated: 7 May 2026
What Is a Dental Plate? — 60-Second Answer
- Night guard (occlusal splint): for bruxism (teeth grinding) treatment
- Retainer plate: post-orthodontics stabilization
- Clear aligner: orthodontic tooth correction (alignment) — see clear aligner guide
- Sports guard: impact protection for athletes
- Material: hard acrylic or soft silicone (case-dependent)
- Custom-made: based on your dental impressions; off-the-shelf options exist but are inferior
What Does a Night Guard Do?
Night guards protect against the unconscious clenching and grinding that occur during sleep — the bite force at night can exceed 500 N, roughly 3× the maximum voluntary force.
Bruxism Symptoms (When You Need a Night Guard)
- Morning jaw pain or tightness
- Worn / flattened tooth surfaces (especially canines and incisors)
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Headaches (especially temple region)
- TMJ (jaw joint) pain
- Bite marks on the inner cheek
How a Night Guard Protects
- Forms a barrier between upper and lower teeth
- Prevents tooth wear and fracture
- Distributes pressure evenly across the chewing muscles
- Eases morning jaw soreness
- Helps reposition the TMJ disc in selected cases
- Protects fillings, crowns and implant restorations
Types of Night Guards
Hard Acrylic Splint
The standard choice for moderate to severe bruxism:
- Durable hard acrylic
- Custom-made on dental impressions
- Lasts 2–3 years
- Better tooth protection
- Slight initial adaptation needed
Soft Silicone Splint
For mild bruxism:
- Flexible silicone material
- More comfortable in the early days
- Lasts 6–12 months
- Suitable for mild cases or those new to splint therapy
- Not recommended for severe grinders (silicone wears faster)
Anterior Bite Plane (NTI-tss style)
A small splint covering only the front teeth:
- Reduces masseter muscle activity
- Selected migraine and tension-headache cases
- Targeted use — not a general-purpose night guard
Michigan Splint
The "gold standard" full-coverage TMJ splint:
- Hard acrylic, full upper or lower arch
- Designed for occlusal stability
- First choice in TMJ disorders
Retainer Plates (Post-Orthodontic)
After orthodontic treatment or clear aligners, retainers prevent teeth from shifting back to their original position.
Retainer Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Hawley retainer | Removable plastic + wire — adjustable |
| Clear retainer (Essix) | Transparent, like a thin aligner — aesthetic |
| Bonded retainer | Fixed wire on the lingual surface — permanent |
Use Schedule
- First 6 months: full-time (except eating + cleaning)
- 6–12 months: every night
- After 1 year: 2–3 nights / week (lifelong)
💡 Without a retainer, ~70 % of patients see relapse within 2 years.
Treatment Process
1. Consultation
- Bruxism / TMJ assessment
- Bite analysis
- Discussion of splint type, material and follow-up
2. Impression Taking
- Digital scan (modern preferred) or traditional alginate impression
- Bite registration (upper–lower relationship)
3. Lab Fabrication (3–7 days)
- Splint produced from your impressions
- Final adjustment in your second visit
4. Fitting & Adjustments
- Comfort + bite check
- Detailed cleaning + storage instructions
- Adaptation period: 1–2 weeks
5. Follow-Up
- 1-month review
- 6-month / annual recall checks
- Splint replacement when worn (typically 2–3 years for hard, 6–12 months for soft)
Night Guard Prices 2026 (Istanbul)
| Type | Description | 2026 Price (EUR / USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Soft night guard | Mild bruxism | €110 – €220 / $120 – $240 |
| Hard acrylic splint (single arch) | Standard bruxism / TMJ | €170 – €280 / $185 – $310 |
| Michigan splint (full-coverage) | TMJ disorders | €220 – €390 / $240 – $425 |
| NTI-tss anterior splint | Migraine / tension | €170 – €280 / $185 – $310 |
| Hawley retainer | Post-orthodontic | €110 – €170 / $120 – $185 |
| Clear (Essix) retainer | Aesthetic post-ortho | €140 – €220 / $150 – $240 |
| Bonded retainer | Permanent (lingual wire) | €110 – €220 / $120 – $240 |
| Sports guard | Impact protection | €110 – €200 / $120 – $220 |
💡 Pricing factors: material, design (single vs full arch), fabrication method (digital vs analog), revisions in adaptation phase.
ℹ️ Insurance: Standard occlusal splints can be partially covered by SGK in Türkiye for documented bruxism. Aesthetic retainers and sports guards are out of scope. International insurance varies.
Night Guard vs Botox in Bruxism — Which One?
| Criterion | Night Guard | Masseter Botox |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Physically protects tooth surfaces | Reduces muscle contraction |
| Duration | As long as worn (continuous protection) | 3–6 months (temporary) |
| Use pattern | Worn every night | Single session, effect fades |
| Cost | €110–€280 / 2–3 years | €200–€380 / 4–6 months |
| Prevents tooth wear | Direct physical barrier | Reduces clenching → indirect |
| Effect on bone/joint | None (only protects teeth) | Directly relaxes muscle |
| Side effects | Adaptation, increased saliva | Mild swelling/bruising 1–2 weeks |
💡 Optimal in severe bruxism: Combine botox + night guard. Botox manages daytime clenching; the guard prevents nighttime tooth wear.
Care and Maintenance
Daily Cleaning
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush + soap (not toothpaste — abrasive)
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water
- Air-dry before storage
- Store in the ventilated case provided
Weekly Deep Clean
- 30-minute soak in denture cleaner
- Or 2-tablespoon vinegar in 1 cup water (15 min)
- Rinse thoroughly afterwards
What to Avoid
- Hot water (warps the splint)
- Toothpaste (abrasive — scratches surface)
- Bleach
- Direct sunlight
When to Replace
- Visible wear or cracks
- Loose fit
- Discoloration (impossible to clean)
- Hard splint: every 2–3 years
- Soft splint: every 6–12 months
- Retainer: when fit changes
Academic References
The medical content in this guide draws on the following independent academic sources:
-
Lobbezoo F, Ahlberg J, Glaros AG, et al. Bruxism defined and graded: an international consensus. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23121262/
-
Manfredini D, Ahlberg J, Winocur E, Lobbezoo F. Management of sleep bruxism in adults: a qualitative systematic literature review. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26095288/
-
Zhang SH, He KX, Lin CJ, et al. Efficacy of occlusal splints in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32421379/
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Klasser GD, Greene CS. Oral appliances in the management of temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138635/
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Riley P, Glenny AM, Worthington HV, et al. Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33113224/
For a custom night guard, retainer or sports guard consultation, contact Derya Dental Clinic in Maltepe, Istanbul. Get in touch or schedule via WhatsApp.
Last updated: 7 May 2026 — Medical review: Dr. Aykut Gürel.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a specialist for decisions about your oral and dental health.
