Can I get veneers if I grind my teeth?

Yes, in most cases. Bruxism is not an automatic disqualifier, but it must be disclosed before treatment planning. The plan will include a mandatory night guard, veneers may be made slightly thicker for strength, and realistic lifespan expectations are set before any preparation. Undisclosed grinding is a leading cause of early veneer failure — disclose it on your free quote form.

What is the difference between a night guard and a sports mouthguard?

A night guard is a custom hard acrylic appliance worn during sleep to protect against grinding forces. A sports mouthguard is a softer, thicker appliance worn during contact sport to protect against impact. They serve different purposes and cannot substitute for each other.

How much does a custom night guard cost in the UK?

A custom-fitted hard acrylic night guard from a UK dentist typically costs £150–£400. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards from pharmacies cost £10–£40 but provide significantly less protection and are not recommended for porcelain veneers or implants.

Can I get a night guard made in Vietnam before flying home?

Yes. Picasso can fabricate a custom night guard as part of your treatment plan — mention it in your quote request. It is usually completed before departure.

What happens if I don't wear my night guard?

For veneer patients: gradual surface wear, increased chip risk, and potentially complete fracture within 2–5 years if grinding is severe. For implant patients: peri-implant bone stress, component loosening, and in severe cases implant failure. The night guard is not optional if you grind.

How do I know if I grind my teeth?

Common signs: waking with jaw ache or headache, flattened or worn back teeth, sensitive teeth in the morning, partner reports grinding sounds during sleep, daytime jaw clenching during stress. A dentist can identify grinding wear during a routine exam.

Aftercare

Night guards and bruxism - protecting veneers and implants

Why UK patients who grind must wear a custom night guard after veneers or implants — bruxism signs, guard types, how to get one in the UK, and the clinical consequences of not wearing one.

Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching) generates bite forces 3–10× higher than normal chewing. Without a custom night guard, these forces will chip porcelain veneers, fracture crown margins, stress implant components, and accelerate wear on natural teeth. If Picasso prescribed a guard, wear it every night. If you grind and have no guard, ask your UK dentist to fabricate one immediately.

What bruxism does to dental restorations

Normal chewing generates approximately 70–150 N of biting force. Bruxism during sleep generates 300–900 N — with no food to absorb the shock, sustained for hours without the conscious control that limits daytime biting.

Restoration type	Risk without a night guard
Porcelain veneers	Surface wear, edge chipping, full fracture
Emax crowns	Crown fracture, cement failure
Implant crowns	Screw loosening, component fracture, peri-implant bone stress
Composite veneers	Rapid surface wear; lifespan cut from 5–7 years to 2–3 years
Bridges	Pontic fracture, abutment tooth stress
Natural teeth	Attrition, exposed dentine, sensitivity

Signs you may be grinding

Morning jaw ache or fatigue
Morning headache (temporal or frontal)
Tooth sensitivity in the morning that improves during the day
Flattened or worn-looking back teeth (visible on X-ray or clinical exam)
Partner reports grinding sounds during sleep
Daytime jaw clenching during concentration or stress
Cheek biting or a visible cheek ridge inside the mouth

If three or more of these apply, discuss bruxism management before any ceramic restoration.

Types of night guard

Type	Material	Suitability
Custom hard acrylic (lab-made)	Hard resin	Recommended for veneers and implants — best force distribution
Custom soft silicone	Soft silicone	Easier to tolerate; slightly less protective; suitable for mild grinders
Dual-laminate (hard outer, soft inner)	Combined	Good for moderate grinders who cannot tolerate fully hard guards
Over-the-counter boil-and-bite	Soft EVA	Not recommended for porcelain veneers or implants

For porcelain veneers the hard acrylic lab-made guard is the clinical standard. It is the most protective and the most durable.

How to get a night guard in the UK after your trip

Inform your UK dentist that you have had veneer or implant treatment and need a custom night guard
Impressions or a digital scan are taken (10-minute appointment)
The lab fabricates the guard in 1–2 weeks
Fitting appointment — minor bite adjustments
Wear every night; bring it to hygienist appointments for inspection

Cost range: £150–£400 for a custom hard acrylic guard.

Wearing and caring for your guard

Wearing:

Put it in immediately before sleep
Keep it on your bedside table to build the habit
Travel with it in hand luggage — never check it in a suitcase

Cleaning:

Rinse with cold water immediately after removal
Brush with a soft toothbrush and mild soap — not toothpaste (abrasive)
Air dry fully before storing in the ventilated case provided
Disinfect weekly with a denture tablet or retainer cleaner

Lifespan: Hard acrylic guards typically last 2–5 years before wearing through. Replace when you can see deep grooves or perforations — a worn guard is no longer protective.

Botox for bruxism — an adjunct, not a replacement

Masseter Botox injections relax jaw muscles and reduce grinding force. Some patients find this reduces symptoms significantly. It wears off in 3–6 months — continue wearing the night guard as force returns.

Use it as an adjunct, not as a replacement for the guard.

Disclosing bruxism before treatment

Disclose grinding in your free quote request. The clinical team will include guard fabrication in the quote, adjust material choices if needed, and set appropriate warranty expectations. Undisclosed bruxism leading to veneer failure is not covered under warranty — honesty protects the clinical outcome.