Sentinel Mouthguards vs. Cheeky: Which Custom Night Guard Is Better? (2026 Comparison)

Last Updated: July 2026

If you've been researching custom night guards online, you've likely come across both Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky. Both companies offer custom-made dental night guards designed to protect your teeth from grinding (bruxism) and clenching while providing a significantly better fit than over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards.

At first glance, the two companies seem very similar. Both use at-home impression kits, fabricate custom guards in the United States, and use professional dental materials. However, there are some meaningful differences in product selection, warranty coverage, ordering flexibility, and long-term ownership that may make one company a better fit for your needs.

This guide compares Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky side by side so you can decide which option is right for your smile.

Disclosure: Sentinel Mouthguards authored this comparison using publicly available information about Cheeky's products and policies as of July 2026. Information can change over time, so we encourage readers to verify details directly with each company before making a purchase.

New to Custom Night Guards?

If you're still learning about custom night guards and aren't sure which type is right for you, we recommend starting with our Complete Guide to Custom Night Guards. It covers everything from the different types of night guards and how they work to choosing the right material, understanding the signs of teeth grinding, cleaning and caring for your guard, and knowing when it's time for a replacement. Once you have a solid understanding of your options, this side-by-side comparison of Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky will be even more helpful in deciding which company best fits your needs.

Millions of people grind or clench their teeth during sleep, often without realizing it. This condition, known as bruxism, can contribute to worn or chipped teeth, jaw soreness, morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, and other oral health concerns if left untreated. The American Dental Association notes that teeth grinding can place significant stress on the teeth and jaw, making a properly fitted night guard an important part of protecting your smile for many people

Sentinel Mouthguards vs. Cheeky at a Glance

Feature	Sentinel Mouthguards	Cheeky
Custom Fit	✅	✅
Manufactured in USA	✅	✅
Soft Night Guard	✅	✅
Hard Night Guard	✅	✅
Hybrid Guard	✅	✅
Heavy-Duty Guard	✅	❌
Daytime Clenching Guard	✅	❌
Tongue & Cheek Guards	✅	❌
Retainers	✅	❌
Whitening Trays	✅	❌
Accepts STL Digital Scans	✅	Not publicly advertised
Reorders from Existing Impressions	✅	✅
Satisfaction Guarantee	100 Days	30 Nights
Warranty	Up to 1 Year	Not publicly advertised beyond fit guarantee
Subscription Option	❌	✅

Quick Verdict

Both companies produce high-quality custom night guards using professional dental fabrication methods. If your primary goal is purchasing a standard custom night guard, either company can be a solid choice.

However, Sentinel stands out by offering a broader range of dental appliances, longer satisfaction coverage, support for digital dental scans, and solutions for specialized concerns like daytime clenching and chronic cheek biting.

Company Overview

Sentinel Mouthguards

Founded in 2012, Sentinel Mouthguards is a family-owned company specializing in custom-made dental appliances manufactured in its St. Petersburg, Florida laboratory. The company focuses exclusively on custom oral appliances, offering several night guard styles along with retainers, whitening trays, sports mouthguards, and specialty guards designed for daytime clenching and cheek biting.

One distinguishing feature is the variety of options available. Rather than offering only one or two guard styles, Sentinel allows customers to choose materials and thicknesses based on their individual grinding habits, helping people find an appliance that's appropriate for everything from mild nighttime clenching to severe bruxism.

Cheeky

Cheeky offers custom night guards through an entirely online ordering process. Customers receive an at-home dental impression kit, return their completed impressions, and receive a professionally fabricated custom guard manufactured in a U.S. partner dental laboratory.

Cheeky focuses on making the ordering process simple and convenient while offering soft, hard, and hybrid night guards. The company also offers an optional subscription program that allows customers to replace their guards at discounted pricing over time.

Product Selection

One of the biggest differences between these companies is simply how many solutions they offer.

Many people begin shopping for a night guard assuming all custom guards are essentially identical. In reality, the ideal appliance depends on factors such as how aggressively you grind, whether you clench during the day, and whether you have other dental goals like whitening or retaining orthodontic treatment.

Sentinel Mouthguards Product Line

Sentinel offers:

This broader lineup allows customers to choose an appliance designed for their specific needs instead of selecting from only a few general-purpose options.

Cheeky's Product Line

Cheeky currently offers:

These three options cover the needs of many nighttime grinders and clenchers. However, customers seeking appliances for daytime use, cheek biting, orthodontic retention, or whitening would need to look elsewhere.

Winner: Sentinel Mouthguards

While both companies provide quality custom night guards, Sentinel's broader selection makes it easier for customers to find a solution tailored to their specific situation rather than adapting to a more limited catalog.

How long does a custom night guard last?

The lifespan of a custom night guard depends on several factors, including the material it's made from, how aggressively you grind or clench your teeth, and how well you care for it. Some people with mild bruxism may wear the same guard comfortably for several years, while heavy grinders may need to replace their appliance much sooner.

Regularly inspect your night guard for signs of excessive wear, cracks, thinning, or changes in fit. Continuing to wear a damaged guard may reduce its effectiveness and could make it less comfortable to wear.

If you're wondering whether it's time for a replacement, read our guide on When Should You Replace a Night Guard? to learn the most common signs that it's time for a new appliance.

Manufacturing & Materials

This is an area where the two companies have more in common than many shoppers realize.

Both Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky fabricate custom guards in the United States using professional dental laboratories and FDA-registered dental materials. Both companies rely on thermoforming, the same fabrication process widely used throughout the dental industry to create durable, accurately fitting oral appliances.

Thermoforming involves heating specialized dental materials before vacuum or pressure-forming them over a precise model of your teeth. This manufacturing method creates a snug, customized fit while maintaining strength and comfort.

Both companies also use materials that are free from BPA, latex, silicone, and several other commonly questioned chemicals.

For most consumers, the difference isn't the manufacturing technology itself. Instead, it's the range of appliance designs available and the company's approach to customer support if adjustments are needed after delivery.

Winner: Tie

From a manufacturing standpoint, both companies use modern dental fabrication methods and quality materials appropriate for custom night guards.

Ordering Process

One reason custom night guards have become increasingly popular is that they eliminate the need for many people to schedule an appointment with a dentist simply to have a protective appliance made. Both Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky allow customers to complete the entire process from home.

Here's how the ordering experience compares.

Sentinel Mouthguards

After selecting a guard, Sentinel ships an at-home impression kit that includes dental trays, professional impression putty, and step-by-step instructions. Once your impressions are completed, you simply mail them back using the prepaid return packaging.

Customers who already have a digital scan from their dentist can skip the physical impression altogether by uploading an STL file. Returning customers can also reorder using an impression already on file, eliminating the need to make new impressions in many cases.

Once the impressions are received and approved, each appliance is custom fabricated in Sentinel's laboratory before being shipped directly to the customer.

Cheeky

Cheeky follows a similar process. Customers receive an at-home impression kit containing dental trays and dental-grade impression putty. After creating their impressions, they mail them back to Cheeky's partner dental laboratory, where a technician reviews the impressions before fabrication begins.

Returning customers can reorder without taking another impression if their existing molds are still available through Cheeky.

Which Ordering Process Is Better?

For first-time customers, the ordering experience is remarkably similar.

Where Sentinel offers additional flexibility is in its support for digital STL files, which can be especially convenient for customers who already have digital scans from a recent dental visit or orthodontic treatment. This can eliminate the impression step entirely.

Edge: Sentinel Mouthguards

Pricing

Price is often one of the first factors shoppers compare when choosing a custom night guard. While both companies offer significantly lower pricing than many dental offices, the total value extends beyond the initial purchase price.

Factors such as warranty coverage, available guard styles, reorder options, and satisfaction guarantees all contribute to the overall ownership experience.

Because pricing and promotions can change over time, we recommend checking each company's website for the latest pricing before placing an order.

Rather than focusing solely on the lowest price, it's worth considering what is included with your purchase and how well the guard matches your individual grinding or clenching habits.

HSA & FSA Eligibility

Both Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky accept HSA and FSA funds for eligible purchases, allowing many customers to use pre-tax dollars toward the cost of a custom night guard. The Internal Revenue Service considers many medically necessary dental expenses eligible for reimbursement under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), although coverage can vary depending on your individual plan. It's always a good idea to confirm eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator before making a purchase.

Edge: Tie

Warranty & Satisfaction Guarantee

A night guard is an investment in protecting your teeth, so understanding each company's warranty and satisfaction policy is just as important as comparing prices.

Sentinel Mouthguards

Sentinel offers one of the longer satisfaction periods available among direct-to-consumer night guard companies.

Customers receive:

100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Adjustments if needed
Remakes when appropriate
Warranty coverage of up to one year, depending on the guard selected

This extended window gives customers additional time to evaluate comfort, fit, and performance while sleeping.

Cheeky

Cheeky offers a 30-night fit guarantee, allowing customers to request a refund if they are not satisfied with the fit during that period.

While this provides peace of mind during the initial adjustment phase, Cheeky does not currently publish an extended product warranty beyond this guarantee. Customers enrolled in Cheeky's subscription program may purchase replacement guards at a discounted price.

Which Warranty Is Better?

Both companies stand behind the initial fit of their products, but Sentinel provides a longer satisfaction period along with published warranty coverage on several guard types.

For customers who appreciate longer-term protection after purchase, Sentinel offers more comprehensive coverage.

Edge: Sentinel Mouthguards

Subscription vs. Traditional Ownership

One area where the companies take different approaches is how they handle future replacements.

Sentinel Mouthguards

Sentinel follows a traditional ownership model. Customers purchase a guard when they need one and reorder whenever they choose. Returning customers with an impression or digital scan on file can often reorder without creating a new impression.

This approach gives customers flexibility without requiring recurring payments.

Cheeky

Cheeky also allows one-time purchases but offers an optional subscription program for customers who expect to replace their guards regularly. Subscribers can receive discounted replacement guards, making the subscription appealing for people who prefer a predictable replacement schedule.

Which Approach Is Better?

There isn't a universal winner here.

Customers who appreciate subscription savings and scheduled replacements may prefer Cheeky's model. Those who prefer to purchase only when needed may appreciate Sentinel's straightforward ownership approach.

Edge: Depends on Your Preference

Customer Experience

Although both companies operate online, their customer experience differs slightly.

Sentinel manufactures appliances in its own laboratory and provides direct customer support throughout the ordering, adjustment, and remake process. Because fabrication occurs in-house, communication regarding fit questions or adjustments remains within the same organization.

Cheeky works with partner dental laboratories while managing the customer experience through its online platform. The process is designed to be simple and convenient, particularly for customers seeking a straightforward custom night guard.

Both companies receive positive feedback for convenience and custom fit. The better choice depends largely on the level of product selection and post-purchase support a customer values.

Edge: Tie

Which Company Is Right for You?

Every grinder is different. The best night guard depends on how you grind, how often you clench, and what features matter most to you.

Choose Sentinel Mouthguards if:

You want the widest selection of custom dental appliances.
You grind heavily and need more specialized options.
You clench during the day and want a daytime appliance.
You experience chronic cheek or tongue biting.
You already have an STL scan from your dentist.
You value a longer satisfaction guarantee and published warranty coverage.
You'd like access to retainers or whitening trays from the same company in the future.

Choose Cheeky if:

You're looking for a straightforward custom night guard.
You like the idea of an optional subscription for discounted replacement guards.
You don't need specialty appliances beyond a traditional night guard.
A 30-night fit guarantee meets your expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky both custom-made?

Yes. Both companies fabricate custom night guards based on an impression of your teeth, creating a much more precise fit than over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards.

Are both companies' night guards made in the United States?

Yes. Both Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky manufacture their custom night guards in the United States using professional dental laboratories and FDA-registered dental materials.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

In many cases, yes. Custom night guards are typically eligible expenses under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). It's always a good idea to confirm eligibility with your plan administrator before making a purchase.

Which company is better for severe teeth grinding?

That depends on your specific grinding habits.

Both companies offer hard night guards designed for heavier grinding. However, Sentinel also offers its Durability Guard, an extra-thick hard night guard designed for people who consistently wear through standard appliances. For those with particularly aggressive bruxism, having an additional heavy-duty option may be beneficial.

If you regularly wear through night guards or find yourself replacing them every year or two, the issue may not be the guard itself. The thickness, material, and even the severity of your bruxism can all play a role. If you're experiencing this, our guide on Why Do I Keep Grinding Through My Night Guard? explains the most common causes and how to choose a guard that may last longer.

Still Not Sure Which Night Guard Is Right for You?

Choosing between night guard brands is only part of the decision. Equally important is selecting the right material, thickness, and design for your individual grinding or clenching habits.

If you're unsure which type of custom night guard best fits your needs, take our free Find Your Fit Quiz. In just a few minutes, you'll receive a personalized recommendation based on your symptoms, grinding habits, and lifestyle.

👉 Take the Find Your Fit Quiz

Do either company accept digital dental scans?

Sentinel Mouthguards accepts STL digital scans from dental offices, allowing many customers to skip the physical impression process.

At the time of writing, Cheeky does not publicly advertise direct STL file submission as an ordering option. If you already have a digital scan, it's worth contacting Cheeky directly to ask whether they can accommodate it.

Can I reorder without making another impression?

Yes. Both companies allow returning customers to reorder using impressions already on file, provided those records are still available.

Which company offers more product options?

If you're only looking for a traditional custom night guard, both companies offer several material choices.

However, Sentinel offers a broader lineup that also includes:

Daytime clenching guards
Heavy-duty night guards
Tongue and cheek biting guards
Custom sports mouthguards
Clear retainers
Professional whitening trays

For customers seeking multiple oral appliance solutions from one provider, Sentinel offers greater variety.

Final Comparison Score

Category	Sentinel Mouthguards	Cheeky
Custom Fit	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Manufacturing Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Materials	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Product Selection	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Ordering Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Warranty & Satisfaction	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Long-Term Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall	9.8 / 10	9.1 / 10

How we scored: These ratings are based on publicly available information as of July 2026, including product selection, manufacturing methods, ordering flexibility, satisfaction policies, warranty coverage, and overall value. They are intended to help readers compare features and services rather than represent laboratory testing or clinical evaluations.

Final Verdict

Choosing between Sentinel Mouthguards and Cheeky ultimately comes down to what you're looking for in a custom night guard company.

Both companies provide custom-fit night guards manufactured in the United States using professional dental materials. Both offer convenient at-home impression kits, multiple guard materials, and a far better fit than generic boil-and-bite alternatives.

If your goal is simply to purchase a quality custom night guard with the convenience of an optional subscription for future replacements, Cheeky is a strong option that many customers will find meets their needs.

However, if you're looking for a wider selection of dental appliances, greater ordering flexibility, support for digital STL scans, and longer satisfaction coverage, Sentinel Mouthguards offers a more comprehensive solution. Beyond traditional night guards, Sentinel also provides specialty appliances for daytime clenching, chronic cheek biting, sports protection, orthodontic retention, and professional teeth whitening—making it a convenient long-term resource for a variety of oral health needs.

No matter which company you choose, investing in a properly fitted custom night guard is one of the best ways to help protect your teeth from the long-term effects of grinding and clenching.

Still researching?

You may also find these comparisons helpful:

• Sentinel vs Remi

• Sentinel vs JS Dental Lab

• Sentinel vs SportingSmiles

• Sentinel vs Pro Teeth Guard

• Sentinel vs Smile Brilliant