How many
Coverage
Where you live
Rough range
$300–$800
National range, narrowed by area. Exams, x-rays, sedation and follow-ups are often billed separately.
Not a quote. Ask the dental office for a written estimate with procedure codes before you agree to anything.
Add the rest of your treatment plan →Low end
$300
Average
$500
High end
$800
- Without insurance
- $300–$800
- With insurance · out of pocket
- $100–$300
- Typical coverage
- Varies by plan
With dental insurance that covers it, out-of-pocket cost is often around $100–$300, depending on your plan, deductible and annual maximum.
What you are paying for
What goes into the cost of a custom mouthguard
A custom mouthguard typically costs between $300 and $800 without insurance, with around $500 common. That is far more than a guard from a sports shop or pharmacy, and the difference is in what the fee contains. You are paying for an assessment, an impression or scan, a dental lab to build the appliance on a model of your teeth, and a fitting visit where it is adjusted in your mouth. For a night guard that adjustment includes balancing how your teeth meet the guard, which is skilled work and sometimes takes a follow-up. Costs to anticipate later are a replacement when the guard wears through, and a remake or modification if you have a crown or other dental work that changes the shape of a tooth it fits over.
Ways the bill can come down
Check your dental plan, because some contribute to a night guard for diagnosed grinding, usually with a limit on how often one can be replaced. Sports guards are rarely covered. Funds in a health savings or flexible spending account can generally be used. If you have dental work planned on the teeth the guard will cover, ask your dentist whether to complete it first so the guard does not need remaking. Dental schools make guards at reduced fees. Caring for it properly, and bringing it to checkups so small problems are adjusted early, stretches its life. For a growing child, ask whether a custom sports guard makes sense yet or would be outgrown too quickly.
Table 1 — Factors that affect custom mouthguard cost
Factors That Affect Custom Mouthguard Cost
- 01
Night guard or sports guard
Night guards usually cost more, because they are made of harder processed materials and need the bite adjusted at fitting. Sports guards are simpler to fabricate, though multi-layer versions for high-impact sports cost more.
- 02
Material and design
Hard acrylic, a hard outer shell with a soft lining, and all-soft materials are priced differently. So are thicker guards and designs that cover the whole arch as opposed to part of it.
- 03
How it is made
Most are made by an outside lab, whose fee is passed on. Some offices mill or print guards from a digital scan in-house, which changes their costs and how quickly you receive it.
- 04
Jaw joint treatment
A splint made as part of treating a jaw joint disorder is a more specialized appliance. It often involves a fuller evaluation and several adjustment visits, and is priced above a standard night guard.
- 05
Follow-up adjustments
Some offices include adjustments for a period after fitting. Others charge per visit. Ask at the start, since most night guards need at least minor refinement.
Table 2 — Payment options
Payment Options
Dental Insurance
Plans usually pay part of the cost of covered procedures after a deductible, up to an annual maximum. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Payment Plans
Many dentists offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit.
Dental Discount Plans
A yearly membership that gives reduced fees at participating dentists. Not insurance; check what it covers.
Dental Schools
Dental school clinics charge lower fees for care by supervised students. Appointments take longer.
Cost disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on national averages and may vary significantly based on your location, dentist, insurance coverage, and specific treatment needs. These figures are for informational purposes only and are not quotes or guarantees of pricing. Ask your dental office for a written estimate before treatment.