Updated September 8, 2026
Sentinel Mouthguards and SportingSmiles are two established U.S.-based laboratories selling custom night guards directly to consumers. Both provide at-home impression kits, multiple appliance designs and digital dental workflows.
But they approach the buying experience differently. SportingSmiles offers a large catalog of guard variations, trimming styles and reorder options at comparatively low initial prices. Sentinel uses a smaller core night-guard lineup organized around specific materials and thicknesses, with faster standard laboratory production, product-specific warranties and a highly documented hand-finishing process.
Neither company is automatically the better choice for everyone. The useful question is which differences matter for the appliance you actually want.
New to custom appliances? Start with our Complete Guide to Custom Night Guards .
Sentinel Mouthguards vs. SportingSmiles at a glance
| Feature | Sentinel Mouthguards | SportingSmiles |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
| U.S. fabrication | St. Petersburg, Florida | Yes |
| At-home impression kit | Included | Included |
| Existing digital files | STL and PLY accepted | STL accepted through a separate paid add-on; file is emailed after ordering |
| Standard lab production | Typically 3–5 business days after an acceptable impression or scan | Commonly about 7–10 or approximately 10 business days, depending on product |
| Satisfaction / standard warranty period | 100 days from delivery | 90 days from receipt |
| Separate product warranty | 1 year for Hard, Hybrid and Durability; 6 months for Comfort and No-Show | Standard products advertise a 90-day warranty |
| Night guard selection | Four core nighttime constructions plus daytime and specialty appliances | Extensive selection of materials, thicknesses, back-cut designs and specialty guards |
| Material disclosure | Polymer, thickness and construction mapped directly to each core guard; material manufacturer also disclosed | Several materials and layer constructions disclosed, although polymer identification is less consistent across individual guard pages |
| Recurring replacement program | No subscription required | Six-month reorder subscription available for returning customers |
| Digital impression storage | Customer records retained for future reorders | Optional paid 3D scanning allows lifetime digital storage |
| Upfront pricing | Generally higher | Generally lower across standard guard designs |
This is a much closer comparison than simply asking which company has more guard styles. SportingSmiles has a genuinely broad catalog and aggressive pricing. Sentinel's main differences are found in its production timeline, warranty structure, digital-file workflow, material specificity and finishing process.
About Sentinel Mouthguards
Sentinel Mouthguards was founded in 2012 and manufactures custom dental appliances in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sentinel's core nighttime lineup is deliberately organized around four different constructions rather than dozens of variations:
- Comfort Guard — 2 mm soft EVA
- Hybrid Guard — EVA inner layer + copolyester exterior
- Hard Guard — 2 mm rigid copolyester
- Durability Guard — 3 mm rigid copolyester
Sentinel also makes a No-Show Day Guard, sports guards, retainers, whitening trays and Tongue & Cheek Biting Guards .
About SportingSmiles
SportingSmiles has operated since 2009 and manufactures custom dental products in the United States.
Its current night-guard catalog is extensive. Products include flexible grinding guards, dual-laminate guards, soft guards, thin guards, back-cut variations, a night-guard/retainer design, daytime guards and a tongue/cheek biting product.
SportingSmiles also offers physical-model ordering, customer-supplied STL ordering, emergency production and discounted reordering.
Product selection: SportingSmiles actually offers more variations
This is one area where the old version of this comparison needed correction.
SportingSmiles currently has one of the larger direct-to-consumer night-guard catalogs. Its night guard collection includes multiple materials, thicknesses and trimming styles.
Sentinel does not need to win this category by having the longest menu. Its approach is different: the four core nighttime guards are organized around a relatively clear progression of soft, hybrid and rigid constructions.
That can make the selection process easier for a customer trying to understand the actual material difference between products.
Learn more in our Soft vs. Hard Night Guard Materials guide .
Material transparency
SportingSmiles publishes substantially more material information than the older version of this article suggested.
For example, SportingSmiles identifies its Soft Night Guard as 3 mm soft EVA and its tongue/cheek guard as 1.5 mm EVA. Its Dual Laminate Guard describes a 1 mm soft inner layer and a 2 mm harder exterior, while its Thin Night Guard identifies a 1 mm hard laminate construction.
SportingSmiles also states that its dental products are free from BPA, BPS, DEHP and latex.
Sentinel's distinction is therefore not that SportingSmiles refuses to discuss materials. It is consistency and specificity at the product level.
Sentinel identifies both the polymer and the construction of each core night guard:
- Soft guard — EVA
- Hard guards — copolyester
- Hybrid — EVA + copolyester
Sentinel also identifies the professional dental materials used in its fabrication process and publishes a broader exclusion list on its Materials & Safety page .
Digital scans: both companies accept STL files
Digital ordering is another area where the older article understated SportingSmiles.
SportingSmiles now explicitly accepts customer-supplied STL files. Customers add its STL-file service to the order, receive an order number and then email the file to SportingSmiles. The company currently charges an additional fee for cleaning, preparing and storing the supplied file.
SportingSmiles also offers an optional service that scans a customer's physical impression and keeps that digital record on file for future reorders.
Sentinel accepts qualifying STL and PLY files. Customers can choose the digital-scan pathway during the ordering process and send their professional dental scan directly to Sentinel for laboratory review.
So the advantage is no longer “Sentinel accepts digital scans and SportingSmiles doesn't.” Both do.
Sentinel's current advantage is the broader published file-format support and the more direct scan-to-order workflow.
See how to order a Sentinel guard using a digital dental scan .
Turnaround time
Standard laboratory production is one of Sentinel's clearest practical advantages.
Sentinel
Most Sentinel custom appliances are fabricated and shipped within approximately 3–5 business days after an acceptable impression or digital scan is received.
Expedited laboratory processing is also available and is typically completed within approximately two business days after the impression reaches the lab.
SportingSmiles
SportingSmiles' current product pages generally describe laboratory production in the range of roughly 7–10 or approximately 10 business days after receiving an acceptable impression or model, depending on the product.
SportingSmiles also offers expedited services and a separate Emergency Night Guard option that advertises delivery in approximately 6–7 business days when its requirements are followed.
Customers should distinguish the normal production timeline from the much more expensive emergency service when comparing speed.
Hand finishing: what happens after the guard is formed?
Both companies employ dental laboratory technicians and describe individual trimming or finishing of their appliances.
SportingSmiles even offers specific back-cut designs, and its Thin Night Guard is intentionally trimmed to cover roughly half the tooth height.
Sentinel's finishing philosophy is somewhat different. After forming, each Sentinel guard is individually trimmed and polished, and the borders are scalloped around the customer's dental anatomy.
Instead of treating the finished edge as a uniform line, the technician follows the individual contours around the teeth and gumline to create a cleaner, more tailored final profile.
We would not claim that SportingSmiles guards are not hand-finished. The difference is that Sentinel specifically documents and shows its individualized scalloping process as a standard part of fabrication.
See How a Custom Night Guard Is Made .
Pricing
SportingSmiles currently has a clear advantage in initial advertised price.
Many of its standard custom night guards currently fall around the low-$100 range, while Sentinel's four primary nighttime guards currently range from $165 to $235.
That makes SportingSmiles particularly competitive for price-sensitive buyers.
But the products are not always direct equivalents. Material, thickness, trimming, standard production time, satisfaction policy, long-term warranty and digital-scan costs should all be included when comparing the overall purchase.
For broader context, see Why Are Custom Night Guards So Expensive? and How Much Does a Custom Night Guard From the Dentist Cost? .
Satisfaction guarantees and warranties
The two companies both provide meaningful customer protection, but Sentinel currently provides the longer standard period.
Sentinel Mouthguards
Sentinel's formal 100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee begins when the finished guard is delivered.
A customer may request a refund within that period for any reason, subject to the published $23 impression-kit and shipping deduction.
Fit concerns can also enter Sentinel's Three-Attempt Fit Resolution process. Those attempts may include adjustments, remakes and one complimentary replacement impression kit.
Separate craftsmanship warranties currently provide:
- 1 year — Hard, Hybrid and Durability Guards
- 6 months — Comfort and No-Show Day Guards
See the complete Sentinel return and warranty policy .
SportingSmiles
SportingSmiles advertises a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 90-day warranty from the time the customer receives the product.
The company states that customers who are dissatisfied with fit or quality can work with its team toward a remake or another solution. Its satisfaction page also states that a replacement or refund may be offered when appropriate.
SportingSmiles therefore has a legitimate satisfaction policy; Sentinel's standard window is simply ten days longer and is followed by longer product-specific craftsmanship warranties on several Sentinel guards.
Reorders and subscriptions
SportingSmiles has an advantage for customers who specifically want recurring replacement guards.
Standard SportingSmiles reorders are discounted when usable records remain on file. Customers may also pay to have their impressions digitally scanned and stored for life.
SportingSmiles additionally offers a six-month night-guard subscription for returning customers. The subscription advertises discounted replacement guards and a lifetime warranty for as long as the subscription remains active.
Sentinel does not require customers to enter a recurring replacement plan. Reorders can instead be placed from the customer record on file when the existing model remains appropriate for the current dental anatomy.
Daytime guards and tongue/cheek guards
Another correction from the previous article: these are not Sentinel-only product categories.
SportingSmiles currently sells an Ultra Thin Daytime Mouth Guard and a custom Dental Guard for Biting Tongue or Cheek.
Sentinel offers its own No-Show Day Guard and Tongue & Cheek Biting Relief Guards .
The correct comparison is therefore between the actual designs, materials, coverage and fit—not whether one company offers the category at all.
Which company may suit you better?
Sentinel may be especially appealing if you:
- want a clearly defined soft, hard, hybrid or 3 mm rigid construction
- want the exact polymer used in your core night guard identified
- want standard laboratory production of approximately 3–5 business days
- want a 100-day satisfaction period
- want a separate six-month or one-year craftsmanship warranty
- have an STL or PLY scan and want a straightforward digital-scan workflow
- value individually scalloped, trimmed and polished borders
- prefer a smaller core lineup organized around material and grinding severity
SportingSmiles may be especially appealing if you:
- prioritize a lower initial purchase price
- want a very large selection of guard styles and trimming options
- want back-cut or ultra-thin designs
- want to submit an existing STL file
- want optional lifetime digital storage of your impression
- like discounted reordering or a recurring six-month replacement subscription
- are already a SportingSmiles customer with usable records on file
Neither company's checklist determines whether a particular appliance will fit or feel best in an individual mouth. Dental anatomy, grinding pattern, material preference and prior appliance experience still matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is SportingSmiles cheaper than Sentinel?
Generally, yes on initial advertised price. Many SportingSmiles night guards are currently listed at lower prices than Sentinel's core nighttime guards. The products are not always direct equivalents, so material, warranty, production time and other services should also be compared.
Does SportingSmiles accept STL scans?
Yes. SportingSmiles currently accepts customer-supplied STL files through a separate add-on service. Sentinel accepts qualifying STL and PLY files through its digital-scan ordering workflow.
Which company has the longer standard satisfaction period?
Sentinel currently provides 100 days from delivery. SportingSmiles publishes a 90-day warranty/satisfaction period from receipt.
Does SportingSmiles offer a day guard?
Yes. SportingSmiles currently sells daytime guard designs, including an ultra-thin option. Sentinel sells its separate No-Show Day Guard.
Does SportingSmiles make tongue and cheek biting guards?
Yes. SportingSmiles currently sells a 1.5 mm soft EVA tongue/cheek biting product. Sentinel also offers a dedicated upper-and-lower tongue and cheek biting guard set.
Which company has more night guard options?
SportingSmiles currently has more individual night-guard listings and variations. Sentinel uses a smaller core lineup organized around distinct soft, hybrid and rigid material constructions.
Which company is faster?
Sentinel currently publishes standard laboratory production of approximately 3–5 business days after an acceptable impression or digital scan is received. SportingSmiles product pages commonly state roughly 7–10 or approximately 10 business days for standard fabrication, depending on the product, with expedited and emergency options available.
The bottom line
SportingSmiles is a strong competitor. It has been in business since 2009, offers an unusually broad product catalog, accepts STL files, provides discounted reorders and currently prices many of its standard guards below Sentinel.
Sentinel's advantages are different.
Its four core nighttime guards have clearly identified polymer constructions, its standard laboratory production is faster, its formal satisfaction period is longer, several guards carry longer separate craftsmanship warranties, and its digital workflow accepts both STL and PLY files.
Sentinel also places unusual emphasis on the final laboratory finish: each appliance is individually shaped, polished and scalloped around the customer's dental anatomy rather than simply being formed and shipped.
For a shopper primarily focused on lowest upfront price, numerous design choices or recurring replacement guards, SportingSmiles may be particularly attractive.
For someone prioritizing faster standard production, longer standard protection, exact material disclosure, digital-file flexibility and individualized finishing , Sentinel may provide the stronger overall fit.
Continue your research
- Complete Guide to Custom Night Guards
- Soft vs. Hard Night Guards
- Why Are Custom Night Guards So Expensive?
- Order With an iTero or Digital Scan
- Compare Sentinel vs. Remi
- Compare Sentinel vs. Pro Teeth Guard
- How Sentinel's Impression Process Works
Sources
SportingSmiles public night-guard collection, individual product pages, satisfaction and warranty information, STL-file ordering information and reorder/subscription pages, reviewed September 2026.
Sentinel Mouthguards product pages, Materials & Safety information, digital-scan documentation, fabrication information and Returns, Exchanges & Satisfaction Guarantee, reviewed September 2026.
Editor's note: Updated September 8, 2026. Sentinel Mouthguards publishes this comparison and is one of the companies discussed. SportingSmiles information was sourced from publicly available company materials. Sentinel has not purchased or independently tested a SportingSmiles night guard for this comparison. Products, pricing and policies can change after publication.
Night guards are intended primarily to help protect teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching. This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized dental or medical care.