2026 night guard cost guide
Updated September 1, 2026 with current Sentinel pricing and current U.S. mouthguard cost data.
How much does a night guard cost? The answer can range from a few dollars for a basic over-the-counter guard to several hundred dollars—or more—for a custom appliance provided through a dental office.
Night guard prices vary mainly by how customized the appliance is and what services are included. Stock and boil-and-bite guards generally cost the least. Mail-in custom guards occupy the middle of the market. Dentist-provided custom guards commonly cost several hundred dollars. Sentinel's current custom night guards range from $165 to $235.
How much does a night guard cost?
The term night guard can describe very different products. A disposable stock guard from a drugstore, a heat-molded boil-and-bite guard, a custom appliance made from a home impression and a guard provided through a dental office all have different manufacturing and service costs.
| Night guard type | Typical price | How the fit is created | What the price generally includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock OTC | About $3–$25 | Preformed | A ready-to-wear appliance with little or no individual fitting. |
| Boil-and-bite | About $15–$25 | Heat-molded at home | A thermoplastic guard that is softened and shaped around the teeth by the user. |
| Mail-in custom | Often about $80–$250 | Home impression or, with some providers, a compatible digital scan | Individual laboratory fabrication without the full in-office dental service model. |
| Sentinel custom | $165–$235 | Home dental impression or accepted digital dental scan | Custom laboratory fabrication, finishing, fit support and applicable Sentinel guarantees. |
| Dentist-provided custom | Usually several hundred dollars | Dental-office impression or digital scan | May include examination, appliance selection, records, fitting and clinical follow-up. |
Cost ranges vary by location, provider, appliance and services included. CareCredit has published stock mouthguard prices of approximately $3–$25, boil-and-bite prices around $15–$25 and mail-in custom prices from roughly $80–$250. Its more recent U.S. dental cost data lists an average mouthguard cost of approximately $611, while a bruxism-treatment cost study reported a broader provider-level mouthguard range of roughly $250–$975.
How much does a dentist night guard cost?
Dentist-provided night guards commonly cost several hundred dollars because the fee may represent more than the physical appliance.
Depending on the dental office and the patient's needs, the price can reflect an examination, bite evaluation, impression or digital scan, laboratory fabrication, fitting appointment, adjustments and follow-up.
CareCredit's current national dental-cost data lists the average cost of a mouthguard at approximately $611. Actual dentist fees can be lower or considerably higher depending on the appliance, geographic area and services included.
For a deeper look at dental-office pricing, see Why Does a Dentist Charge $700 for a Night Guard? →
Why do night guard prices vary so much?
The price difference is not simply about the amount of plastic or thermoplastic in the appliance.
A stock guard is mass-produced. A custom guard requires a model of an individual's teeth and individual fabrication.
Soft EVA, hybrid constructions and rigid copolyester have different material and manufacturing requirements.
Custom appliances may begin with an in-office scan, home impression or compatible digital dental file.
Dentist fees may include evaluation, diagnosis, fitting and follow-up in addition to fabrication.
Custom appliances require trimming, finishing, inspection and other individual production steps.
Adjustment policies, remakes, warranties and fit support can affect the overall value included in the purchase.
How much do Sentinel custom night guards cost?
Sentinel currently offers four core custom night guards ranging from $165 to $235. Each is fabricated from an individual dental impression or accepted digital dental scan in Sentinel's St. Petersburg, Florida laboratory.
The Comfort Guard
2 mm soft EVA for customers who prioritize a softer, more flexible feel.
The Hybrid Guard
2 mm construction with a soft EVA inner layer and firmer copolyester exterior.
The Hard Guard
2 mm rigid copolyester for customers who prioritize a firm appliance and greater wear resistance.
The Durability Guard
3 mm rigid copolyester and Sentinel's thickest night guard design.
Current prices can always be confirmed on the Sentinel night guard collection →
Price vs. service
Why can a dentist night guard cost more than a lab-direct custom guard?
A lower direct-to-consumer price does not automatically mean that a dental office is simply “marking up” the same product.
The service models are different.
A dental-office fee may include professional examination, diagnosis, appliance selection, clinical records, bite evaluation, fitting and follow-up. A lab-direct company can operate at a lower price because it does not provide that same in-person clinical service.
Conversely, paying more does not automatically mean that the physical guard uses a more expensive material. When comparing prices, ask what is included in the total service, not simply what the finished appliance costs.
Is a more expensive night guard always better?
No. Price by itself cannot tell you whether an appliance is appropriate for your teeth or whether it will fit well.
A dentist-provided appliance may be worth the additional cost for someone who needs an in-person evaluation, has extensive restorative work, has unresolved dental or jaw symptoms, has significant bite concerns or needs a clinician to determine what type of appliance is appropriate.
A direct-to-consumer custom guard may be a practical lower-cost option for an adult who is otherwise an appropriate candidate and wants an individually fabricated appliance without the in-office service component.
Cost is only one part of the decision. Fit, material, thickness, dental condition, expected wear, support and whether you need professional evaluation all matter.
What is the difference between OTC and custom night guard prices?
OTC guards cost less largely because they are mass-produced and require little or no individual laboratory work.
A custom guard begins with the shape of your own teeth. A physical impression or digital scan is used to create an individualized dental model, and the appliance is then formed, trimmed and finished around that model.
That additional customization and manufacturing work is a major reason custom guards generally cost more.
Custom does not automatically mean that every appliance will be comfortable or appropriate for every person. Fit and design still matter. See our guide to how a custom night guard should fit →
Does the material affect the cost?
It can.
Night guards may use flexible materials such as EVA, rigid thermoplastics such as copolyester, layered constructions or other dental materials. Thickness and manufacturing method can also affect production cost.
However, a higher material price does not necessarily make one design universally better. Material choice should be considered alongside fit, intended use, wear pattern and professional recommendations when appropriate.
For a detailed material comparison, see What Are Night Guards Made Of? →
Does a longer-lasting night guard save money?
Sometimes, but longevity varies considerably from person to person.
Someone who wears through an inexpensive appliance quickly may spend more over several replacements than someone whose custom guard lasts for years. But it would be misleading to promise that a more expensive guard will always last longer.
Grinding force, material, thickness, fit, cleaning, storage and changes to the teeth can all affect service life.
We keep the detailed lifespan ranges in our separate guide: How Long Do Dental Night Guards Last? →
Will dental insurance lower the cost of a night guard?
Possibly.
Some dental insurance plans provide benefits for occlusal guards, while others exclude them or apply deductibles, coinsurance, provider requirements, documentation requirements or frequency limits.
Sentinel does not bill dental insurance directly.
We keep the full insurance discussion on its own page: Will Dental Insurance Cover a Night Guard? →
Can HSA or FSA funds reduce the after-tax cost?
Qualified customers may be able to use HSA or FSA funds for an eligible night guard expense.
That is different from receiving a discount or having dental insurance pay part of the bill. The potential financial benefit comes from using tax-advantaged healthcare funds when the expense qualifies.
Sentinel offers TrueMed as an HSA/FSA payment pathway for qualified customers.
For eligibility, documentation and payment details, see: Are Night Guards HSA/FSA Eligible? →
What should you compare besides price?
When comparing two night guards, ask what you're actually receiving for the quoted price.
- Is the appliance stock, boil-and-bite or individually fabricated from my teeth?
- What material and thickness am I buying?
- Is the impression or scanning process included?
- Does the price include shipping?
- What happens if the appliance does not fit correctly?
- Are adjustments or remakes available?
- What warranty or satisfaction policy applies?
- Will I have access to in-person clinical evaluation if I need it?
- How often might this type of appliance need replacement?
- Can I use insurance or HSA/FSA funds if applicable?
Night guard cost FAQs
How much is a night guard?
Prices range widely. Basic OTC guards may cost only a few dollars to a few dozen dollars, mail-in custom guards commonly cost more, and dentist-provided custom appliances generally cost several hundred dollars. Sentinel custom night guards currently range from $165 to $235.
How much does a dentist night guard cost?
Dentist-provided custom night guards commonly cost several hundred dollars. CareCredit's current U.S. dental procedure data lists an average mouthguard cost of approximately $611, although actual fees vary by provider, location, appliance and services included.
Why does a custom night guard cost more than an OTC guard?
Custom guards require an individual model of the customer's teeth plus laboratory fabrication, trimming and finishing. A dental-office price may also include clinical evaluation, fitting and follow-up.
How much does a Sentinel night guard cost?
As of September 2026, Sentinel's core custom night guards range from $165 for the Comfort Guard to $235 for the Durability Guard.
Is an expensive night guard always better?
No. Price reflects factors such as customization, material, professional services and support, but it does not by itself determine whether an appliance is appropriate or whether it will fit well.
Does dental insurance cover night guard costs?
Some plans provide benefits for occlusal guards and others do not. Coverage can also be affected by deductibles, frequency limits, provider rules and documentation requirements.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for a night guard?
A qualifying night guard expense may be eligible for HSA or FSA funds depending on the purpose of the purchase and applicable account requirements. Sentinel offers TrueMed for qualified customers.
Is a mail-in custom guard the same as a dentist-provided guard?
Both can be individually fabricated from a model of a person's teeth, but the service models are not identical. A dentist-provided appliance may include an examination, diagnosis, bite assessment, fitting and clinical follow-up that a direct-to-consumer laboratory does not provide.
Sentinel Mouthguards
Compare custom night guards from $165
Compare Sentinel's Comfort, Hybrid, Hard and Durability Guards by material, thickness and current price.
Compare Custom Night Guards →Sources & pricing notes
- CareCredit, current U.S. dental procedure cost data — national mouthguard cost data.
- CareCredit, Bruxism: What Causes Teeth Grinding and How It's Treated — published mouthguard treatment cost ranges.
- CareCredit, Mouth Guard Benefits for Teeth Grinding — published cost ranges for stock, boil-and-bite, mail-in and dentist-made guards.
- Sentinel Mouthguards live product pages — Comfort, Hybrid, Hard and Durability Guard pricing checked September 1, 2026.
Prices in this article are educational estimates and can change. Dentist fees vary by location, provider, appliance and services included. Sentinel product prices were checked September 1, 2026; current product pages should be used to confirm pricing before purchase. This article is not medical, tax or insurance advice.