Custom Dental Guards & Retainers in Greenville, SC
Protect your teeth. Preserve your smile. Keep your dental work lasting longer.​
At Southern Laser Dentistry, we create custom dental appliances designed to fit your mouth comfortably and protect your teeth from everyday damage. Whether you grind your teeth at night, play contact sports, or need to maintain your smile after orthodontic treatment, a professionally made appliance can help protect your oral health long-term.
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Custom options may include:
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Night guards for grinding and clenching
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Sports guards for athletic protection
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Retainers to help maintain tooth position
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Protective appliances for crowns, veneers, and dental restorations
Small Appliances Can Make a Big Difference
Your teeth go through a lot. Clenching, grinding, sports injuries, shifting teeth, and daily wear can all affect your smile over time.
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Custom dental guards and retainers are designed to help reduce damage before it becomes a bigger problem. Unlike over-the-counter appliances, a dentist-made guard or retainer is created from an impression or scan of your mouth, giving you a more precise fit, better comfort, and stronger protection.
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At Southern Laser Dentistry, we evaluate your bite, dental history, restorations, and goals before recommending the right appliance for your needs.
You May Benefit from a Custom Dental Guard or Retainer If You…
Custom Night Guards for Grinding and Clenching
A night guard is a custom-made appliance worn while you sleep to help protect your teeth from grinding, clenching, and excessive bite pressure.
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Many patients grind or clench without realizing it. Over time, this can lead to tooth wear, cracks, sensitivity, jaw soreness, headaches, and damage to crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding.
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A Night Guard May Help Protect Against:
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Tooth grinding and clenching
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Worn or flattened teeth
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Chipped or cracked enamel
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Jaw soreness or muscle tension
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Stress on crowns, veneers, or fillings
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Bite-related wear over time
Why Custom Matters
Store-bought night guards may feel bulky, loose, or uncomfortable. Some can even encourage more chewing or clenching if the fit is poor.
A custom night guard is made specifically for your mouth. This allows for a better fit, more comfort, and more controlled protection.
Important note:
A night guard does not cure every jaw or bite issue. If you are having jaw pain, headaches, clicking, locking, or severe discomfort, our doctors will evaluate your symptoms and recommend the appropriate next step.
Custom Sports Guards for Athletes
A sports guard is designed to help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and jaw during athletic activity. This is especially important for children, teens, and adults who participate in contact or high-impact sports.
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While boil-and-bite mouthguards are common, they often fit poorly and may not stay in place during activity. A custom sports guard is made to fit your teeth more securely and comfortably.
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Custom Sports Guards Are Helpful For:
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Football
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Basketball
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Soccer
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Baseball and softball
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Wrestling
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Martial arts
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Hockey
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Lacrosse
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Cheerleading
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Any sport with risk of impact or falls
Better Fit Means Better Protection
A sports guard only works if it is worn. If a guard feels bulky, loose, or hard to breathe with, patients are less likely to use it consistently.
A custom appliance can provide a more secure fit, making it easier to talk, breathe, and stay protected during play.
Custom Retainers to Help Maintain Your Smile
Teeth can shift over time, especially after orthodontic treatment. Retainers help maintain tooth position and protect the results you have already achieved.
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If you have completed braces or clear aligner treatment, wearing your retainer as recommended is one of the most important steps in keeping your smile stable.
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You May Need a New Retainer If:
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Your retainer is lost
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Your retainer is cracked or broken
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Your retainer feels too tight
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Your retainer no longer fits
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Your teeth have started shifting
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Your current retainer is old, worn, or uncomfortable
Do Not Wait Too Long
If your retainer no longer fits or has been lost, waiting can allow teeth to move. The sooner you replace it, the better chance you have of maintaining your current smile position.
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If significant shifting has already happened, our doctors can discuss whether a new retainer is appropriate or whether additional orthodontic treatment may be needed.
Getting a Custom Guard or Retainer Is Simple
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Evaluation
We begin by reviewing your dental needs, health history, and the procedure being planned. PRF is only recommended when it makes sense for your case.
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Impression or Digital Scan
We take the necessary records of your teeth so your appliance can be made to fit your mouth.
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Custom Fabrication
Your appliance is created based on your specific dental anatomy and treatment need.
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Fit Check
Once your appliance is ready, we check the fit and make sure it feels comfortable and secure.
Home Care Instructions
We show you how to wear, clean, and store your appliance properly.
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How to Keep Your Appliance Clean and Long-Lasting
Proper care helps your appliance last longer and keeps it safe to use.
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Basic Care Tips
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Rinse your appliance after each use
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Brush gently with a soft toothbrush
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Store it in its case when not in use
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Keep it away from pets
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Avoid hot water, which can distort the shape
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Bring it to dental visits so we can check the fit
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Replace it if it becomes cracked, loose, worn, or uncomfortable
Do not just throw it in a drawer and hope for the best. A dirty, warped, or broken appliance is not doing its job.
Dental Appliances for Children, Teens, and Adults
Custom guards and retainers are not just for one type of patient.
Custom Guards & Retainers FAQs
Still have questions? Our team is here to help you feel confident before your visit.
Protect Your Smile Before
Damage Happens
A custom dental guard or retainer can help protect your teeth, preserve your dental work, and maintain your smile long-term.
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Whether you need a night guard, sports guard, or replacement retainer, Southern Laser Dentistry can help you choose the right appliance for your needs.
