Dental professionals often offer soft, hard, or dual-laminate options, each with specific advantages and best-use cases.
As a dental lab partner, we understand the importance of helping your team guide patients toward the right solution. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of night guards — soft, hard, and dual-laminate — and what you should consider when recommending each.
Soft night guards are typically recommended for patients who are new to wearing an appliance, as well as those with mild grinding or clenching habits.
Typically, soft night guards do wear down more quickly and may not be suitable for moderate to severe bruxers. Over time, some users may also find they inadvertently increase grinding behaviors, and the guard can lose its shape, reducing its effectiveness.
For patients who present with more advanced bruxism, TMJ symptoms, or a history of restorative or orthodontic treatment, a hard night guard is often the preferred option.
While hard guards provide long-term durability and therapeutic benefits, they do require professional fitting and may be less comfortable at first due to their rigidity. They also tend to be noisier when the patient grinds during sleep, and the cost is typically higher than soft options.
For patients who need a balance of durability and comfort, dual-laminate night guards offer an ideal hybrid solution. These guards are especially effective for moderate bruxers who find hard guards too rigid but need more strength than a soft guard can provide.
While dual-laminate guards offer an excellent middle ground, they may not be durable enough for severe grinders over the long term. The layered design can also make them slightly bulkier than single-material options, and they typically fall between soft and hard guards in terms of cost and lifespan.
Selecting the appropriate night guard comes down to understanding the patient’s specific symptoms, habits, and preferences. First-time users often respond well to soft or dual-laminate guards, especially if comfort and adaptation are key concerns. Patients with significant wear patterns, TMJ-related discomfort, or a need for long-term protection will benefit more from the durability and adjustability of a hard guard. For budget-conscious patients or those unsure about their compliance, a soft guard can offer a simple and accessible starting point, with room to transition into more supportive options as needed.
Night guards play a vital role in protecting patients from the long-term effects of grinding, clenching, and jaw tension. Understanding the differences between soft, hard, and dual-laminate options allows your team to better educate patients and ensure the appliance selected meets both their clinical needs and lifestyle preferences. At DDS Lab, we’re here to support your practice with high-quality, custom-fit night guards designed to deliver comfort, protection, and peace of mind.
Whether you're managing a mild case or customizing a complex occlusal solution, we’re proud to be your partner in helping patients protect their smile — even while they sleep.