2026 NIGHT GUARD COST GUIDE
A custom night guard can cost anywhere from under $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on where it is made, how it is fitted, and what is included in the service.
For people comparing options, the more useful question is not only how much a night guard costs. It is also whether the guard is truly custom, how it is made, what happens if the fit needs attention, and whether HSA or FSA funds may be available to help pay for an eligible purchase.
At Sentinel Mouthguards, current custom night guard prices start at $165 and range up to $235 for our core night guard collection. Qualified customers may also be able to use HSA or FSA funds through TrueMed.
Pricing checked August 2026. Product prices can change; always confirm the current price on the linked product page.
QUICK ANSWER
How much does a custom night guard cost?
Over-the-counter options are usually the least expensive. Mail-in custom guards generally cost more, while dentist-provided custom guards can cost several hundred dollars or more. Sentinel custom night guards currently start at $165. If you have HSA or FSA funds, qualified customers may be able to use them toward an eligible Sentinel purchase through TrueMed.
Night Guard Cost in 2026: At a Glance
Night guard prices vary because the phrase night guard can describe very different products, from a basic boil-and-bite guard to an individually fabricated dental appliance made from a precise impression or digital scan.
| Type | Typical Cost | How It Is Fitted | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock / boil-and-bite | Often under $30 | Universal or heat-molded at home | Lowest upfront cost, but fit and durability vary. |
| Mail-in custom | Often about $80-$250 | Home impression or compatible digital scan | Custom fabricated without a traditional dental-office visit. |
| Sentinel custom night guards | Starting at $165-$235 | Dental impression or compatible digital scan | Made in Sentinel's U.S. lab with multiple material and thickness options. |
| Dentist-provided custom guard | Often $300-$500; some are higher | Dental-office impression or scan | Usually includes professional evaluation and chair-side follow-up. |
General market ranges are estimates and can vary by provider, material, location, and services included. CareCredit reports that dentist-made custom mouth guards commonly average $300-$500, with some costing $1,000 or more.
CURRENT SENTINEL PRICING
How Much Does a Sentinel Custom Night Guard Cost?
Sentinel offers several custom night guard designs because there is no single material or thickness that is ideal for every grinder. The current starting prices below are taken from our live product pages.
The Comfort Guard
2 mm soft EVA. Designed for customers who prefer a softer, more flexible feel.
The Hybrid Guard
2 mm dual-laminated design with a soft inner layer and firmer outer layer.
The Hard Guard
2 mm hard copolyester for customers who prefer a rigid custom appliance.
The Durability Guard
3 mm high-strength copolyester for customers who need a thicker, more durable option.
You can compare the full collection here: Sentinel custom night guards →
If you are not sure which material makes sense for you, our Complete Guide to Custom Night Guards explains the differences between soft, hybrid, and hard designs in more detail.
Why Can the Price of a Custom Night Guard Vary So Much?
Two products can both be called custom night guards while including very different levels of customization, service, and professional involvement.
How the fit is created
A true custom guard is fabricated from an impression or digital model of your own teeth. That requires more individualized manufacturing than a stock or boil-and-bite product.
Material and thickness
Soft EVA, dual-laminated materials, and hard copolyester behave differently. Thickness can also affect durability, feel, and price.
Dental-office involvement
A dentist-provided guard may include an exam, professional impression or scan, bite assessment, fitting appointment, and follow-up care. Those services contribute to the total fee.
Fit support after purchase
A custom appliance should feel secure without being excessively difficult to remove. If fit is important to your comparison, read How Should a Night Guard Fit?
HSA/FSA + CUSTOM NIGHT GUARDS
Can You Use HSA or FSA Funds to Pay for a Night Guard?
Qualified customers may be able to use HSA or FSA funds toward an eligible custom night guard purchase.
An HSA or FSA does not cover a night guard in the same way insurance does. These accounts contain tax-advantaged healthcare dollars that can be used for qualifying medical expenses. IRS Publication 502 includes qualifying dental treatment within medical and dental expenses, but individual eligibility can depend on the purpose of the purchase and the requirements of your plan.
For the detailed eligibility explanation, including the difference between HSA coverage, FSA eligibility, medical necessity, and reimbursement, see our dedicated guide:
Are Night Guards HSA/FSA Eligible? How to Pay With HSA or FSA Funds →
Important: HSA/FSA qualification is not automatic for every customer or every purchase. Plan rules and individual circumstances vary.
SENTINEL + TRUEMED
How TrueMed Works at Sentinel Checkout
Sentinel partnered with TrueMed to make HSA/FSA payment easier for qualified customers. The TrueMed option is integrated directly into the Sentinel shopping experience.
On eligible product pages, customers can review HSA/FSA information before checkout.
Select TrueMed at checkout
Choose Truemed - Pay with HSA/FSA when you reach the payment section.
Complete the health survey
TrueMed asks you to complete a short health survey. If you qualify, an independent licensed clinician can issue a Letter of Medical Necessity supporting the eligible purchase.
Pay with HSA/FSA funds
Qualified customers can pay directly with an HSA/FSA card through the TrueMed checkout flow. TrueMed also describes a reimbursement pathway for eligible purchases when applicable.
For the full announcement and a closer look at the checkout experience, read Sentinel Mouthguards Partners With TrueMed for HSA/FSA Payments.
Average savings cited by TrueMed
TrueMed says qualified customers save an average of 30% on eligible purchases by using pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars instead of after-tax income. Actual tax savings vary.
This is not a 30% Sentinel discount. The potential savings come from the tax treatment of eligible HSA/FSA spending.
Will Dental Insurance Cover a Custom Night Guard?
Sometimes, but coverage varies significantly by dental plan. A policy may have deductibles, frequency limitations, exclusions, network requirements, or documentation rules that affect what is reimbursed.
Sentinel Mouthguards does not bill dental insurance directly. Customers who want to explore possible reimbursement should check their own plan requirements before purchasing.
HSA/FSA eligibility is separate from dental insurance coverage. A customer whose dental plan does not reimburse a Sentinel purchase may still qualify to use HSA or FSA funds.
Read our dedicated guide: Will Dental Insurance Cover a Night Guard? →
Is a More Expensive Night Guard Always Better?
No. Price alone does not tell you whether a guard is appropriate for your teeth or grinding pattern.
A dentist-provided guard can be the right choice when you need a clinical examination, have significant dental work, have bite concerns, experience unexplained jaw or facial pain, or need a dentist to determine whether a night guard is appropriate.
A direct-to-consumer custom guard can be a more affordable route for customers who are appropriate candidates and want a guard fabricated from their own impression or compatible digital scan.
The goal is not simply to choose the cheapest option. It is to compare fit, material, customization, durability, support, and total cost together.
COST + VALUE
Questions to Ask Before Comparing Night Guard Prices
- Is the guard stock, boil-and-bite, or made specifically from my teeth?
- What material and thickness am I buying?
- Does the price include the impression process?
- Can an existing compatible digital dental scan be used?
- What happens if the fit needs to be adjusted or remade?
- Is shipping included?
- How long is the product expected to last for my grinding pattern?
- Can I use HSA/FSA funds if I qualify?
- Does my dental situation warrant an in-person dentist evaluation first?
If you want to learn more about the materials used in Sentinel guards, visit our Materials and Safety page.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Night Guard Cost and HSA/FSA FAQs
How much does a custom night guard cost?
Prices vary widely. Mail-in custom guards commonly fall below dentist-office pricing, while dentist-provided custom guards often cost several hundred dollars. Sentinel custom night guards currently start at $165 and range up to $235 for the core collection.
How much does a night guard from a dentist cost?
Published consumer cost data commonly places dentist-made custom night guards around $300-$500, although some offices charge $1,000 or more. The total can depend on location, examinations, fitting appointments, material, and follow-up care.
Can I use HSA funds for a custom night guard?
Qualified customers may be able to use HSA funds toward an eligible custom night guard. At Sentinel, TrueMed helps qualified customers complete the eligibility process and pay with HSA/FSA funds.
Are custom night guards FSA eligible?
A custom night guard may qualify when it is connected to an eligible medical or dental need. Eligibility is not automatic for every purchase, and individual plan rules apply.
Does HSA cover a night guard?
An HSA does not provide insurance coverage. Instead, it allows qualified medical expenses to be paid with tax-advantaged funds. If your night guard purchase qualifies, HSA funds may be available to pay for it.
Is TrueMed a 30% discount?
No. TrueMed cites average savings of 30% for qualified customers because eligible purchases can be made with pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars. It is not a 30% reduction in Sentinel's product price, and actual tax savings vary.
Does Sentinel accept dental insurance?
Sentinel does not bill dental insurance directly. Coverage and member-submitted reimbursement rules vary by plan. See our dental insurance guide for more information.
Can I use a digital scan instead of a home impression?
Sentinel can fabricate eligible custom appliances from compatible digital dental scan files. If your dentist has an STL or PLY scan available, you can submit it for review instead of taking a new home impression.
SOURCES + FURTHER READING
Where This Information Comes From
We update this guide using current Sentinel product pricing, IRS guidance, TrueMed's published HSA/FSA process, and independent consumer cost data.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Compare Sentinel Custom Night Guards
If you are ready to compare materials, thicknesses, and current pricing, explore the complete Sentinel night guard collection. Qualified customers can select TrueMed at checkout to see whether HSA/FSA payment is available for their purchase.