Custom Mouth Guards in Milpitas, CA
Lab-fitted sports mouth guards and night guards from Signature Smiles Dental Group in Milpitas — stronger protection and a far more comfortable fit than any store-bought option, made from precise impressions of your teeth.
- Custom lab-fit, not boil-and-bite
- Sports guards & night guards
- Relief for teeth grinding & jaw pain
- Most PPO insurance accepted
Sports Mouth Guards & Night Guards
A mouth guard shields your teeth from impact on the field; a night guard protects them from the grinding and clenching that happen while you sleep. We make both at our Milpitas office, custom-fitted to your bite.
Sports Mouth Guards
A custom athletic guard absorbs and distributes impact so a hit to the face doesn’t become a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth. Essential for contact and high-impact sports.
- Contact sports — football, hockey, boxing, martial arts, wrestling, lacrosse
- High-impact play — basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball
- Wheels & boards — skateboarding, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding
- Extra protection for braces, crowns, and implants
Typical investment: custom sports guards generally run about $150–$300 and last 1–3 years with care.
Night Guards
Also called an occlusal guard, a night guard sits between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep, cushioning the force of grinding and clenching (bruxism) and easing the jaw strain behind many morning headaches.
- Stops enamel wear, fractures, and cracked teeth
- Eases jaw pain and TMJ symptoms
- Protects existing fillings, crowns, and bridges
- Reduces morning headaches and facial soreness
Typical investment: custom night guards generally run about $200–$400 and last 2–5 years with care.
Custom vs. Store-Bought Guards
Drugstore guards are cheap for a reason. A custom guard is made from exact impressions of your teeth, so it fits better, protects more, and is comfortable enough that you’ll actually wear it.
Stock Guards
- Bulky, loose, hard to keep in
- Makes breathing & speaking difficult
- Minimal real protection
- Not recommended by dentists
Boil-and-Bite
- Better fit than a stock guard
- Still imprecise; can shift in use
- Shorter lifespan (3–6 months)
- Okay as a short-term stopgap
Custom-Fitted
- Exact fit from precise impressions
- Superior, evenly distributed protection
- Comfortable for all-night or full-game wear
- Durable — lasts years, not months
The Custom Guard Process
From your first visit to our Milpitas office to a finished guard usually takes one to two weeks — most of that is lab fabrication time, not chair time.
Consultation
Dr. Khera reviews your bite, sport, or grinding pattern to choose the right guard and material.
Impressions
We capture exact impressions of your upper and lower teeth, bite, and gum contours.
Lab Fabrication
A dental lab crafts your guard from medical-grade material over about 1–2 weeks.
Fitting
You try the finished guard; we fine-tune fit, comfort, and bite, then review care.
Meet Dr. Gaganjot Khera, DDS — named America’s Best Dentist 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Signs You’d Benefit From a Guard
If you’re active in sports or notice any of the grinding signs below, a custom guard from our Milpitas dentist is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your smile.
Athletes
Any sport with a risk of falls, collisions, or flying balls and equipment calls for a guard. We fit Milpitas athletes at every level — youth through adult — and it’s strongly recommended across the board.
Teeth Grinders
Bruxism often goes unnoticed until damage appears. A night guard can stop it before it leads to fractures, root canals, or chronic jaw pain.
- Waking with headaches, jaw soreness, or facial pain
- Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
- Increasing tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
- Clicking jaw or a partner who hears grinding at night
Caring for Your Guard
A few simple habits keep your guard clean, fresh, and protective for years.
Do
- Rinse with cool water right after every use
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
- Air-dry fully, then store in a ventilated case
- Soak weekly in a denture cleaner or vinegar-and-water solution
- Bring it to your dental visits so we can check the fit
Avoid
- Hot water, boiling, or a hot car — heat warps the material
- Abrasive toothpaste, which scratches the surface
- Bleach or alcohol-based cleaners
- The dishwasher and direct sunlight
- Wearing a cracked or ill-fitting guard — replace it instead
Insurance & Financing
Is a guard covered?
Coverage depends on your plan and why you need the guard. Night guards are often covered when documented as treatment for bruxism or a TMJ disorder, frequently around 50% after your deductible; some plans require pre-authorization. Athletic sports guards are sometimes covered as preventive care, while others treat them as optional. Our Milpitas front desk will verify your specific benefits before you commit to anything.
In-network PPO plans above. We also accept Cigna and MetLife out-of-network. See all insurance details ›
No insurance? No problem.
A custom guard costs far less than the restorative work it prevents. Flexible options keep it affordable:
- Cherry — pay over time, often interest-free
- CareCredit — 0% short-term financing
- FSA and HSA funds accepted
- In-house payment plans available
Mouth Guard FAQs
What’s the difference between a night guard and a sports mouth guard?
How much does a custom mouth guard or night guard cost in Milpitas?
Does dental insurance cover night guards or sports mouth guards?
Are custom mouth guards better than store-bought ones?
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
How do I clean and care for my mouth guard?
How long does a custom mouth guard last before it needs replacing?
Do children need a mouth guard for sports?
Protect Your Smile in Milpitas
Don’t wait for a cracked tooth or a sleepless, sore jaw. A custom mouth guard or night guard from our Milpitas dental team is a small investment that prevents far bigger dental bills down the road.