Protect your smile with custom mouthguards—designed for a precise fit to prevent injury, reduce strain, and keep your teeth safe every day.
Your teeth were not designed to absorb constant grinding, clenching, or impact, and without protection, the damage can add up faster than you might expect. Whether you are a nightly grinder or a weekend athlete, the wrong amount of force on your teeth can lead to cracked enamel, jaw pain, worn-down surfaces, and costly repairs down the road.
At Church Family Dentistry, we believe that protecting your smile is just as important as restoring it. Dr. Will Church and our team in Durham, NC offer custom-fitted mouthguards designed to address your specific needs, from managing the effects of bruxism and TMJ to keeping athletes safe on the field. As part of our broader general dentistry services, we take a personalized approach to every guard we create, because a one-size-fits-all solution rarely fits anyone well.
When it comes to protecting your teeth, the fit matters more than most people realize. Store-bought guards are bulky, uncomfortable, and often fail to stay in place, which means they do not actually do their job when it counts.
A custom mouthguard is made from precise impressions of your teeth, which means it sits securely and comfortably in your mouth. It is thinner, better balanced, and far more durable than anything you will find on a pharmacy shelf. We use advanced technology at our practice to ensure accurate impressions and a proper fit that you will actually want to wear night after night or game after game.
Not all mouthguards are built the same. The type of protection you need depends entirely on the problem you are trying to solve, and we will help you identify the right option during your appointment.
Bruxism, the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, affects many adults and often happens during sleep without any awareness. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, untreated bruxism can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain, and chronic headaches. Over time, the pressure from grinding wears down enamel, loosens teeth, and strains the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull.
A night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and redistributing the force of clenching before it can do damage. For patients dealing with TMJ disorders, a properly fitted guard can also help reduce muscle tension and bring some relief to jaw soreness and morning headaches.
We custom-fabricate every night guard based on detailed impressions of your bite. Many patients notice a significant difference in comfort within the first few weeks of consistent use. If you have been waking up with a tight jaw or a dull ache in your face, it may be time to visit our services page and explore what we can do for you.
Whether you play football, basketball, soccer, or any contact sport, a well-fitted sport guard is one of the most practical investments you can make for your oral health. Dental injuries during athletic activity are more common than many people expect, and many of them are entirely preventable.
A custom sport guard fits precisely over your teeth and stays in place during activity, unlike the over-the-counter boil-and-bite options that shift around and make it harder to breathe and communicate. Our sport guards are built to absorb impact effectively while remaining comfortable enough that athletes are not tempted to leave them on the bench.
We create sport guards for patients of all ages, from young athletes just starting out to adults who stay active on the weekend. If a knocked-out tooth or cracked enamel ever does occur during play, our emergency dentistry team is here to help. That said, wearing a proper guard is always the better plan.
Here is a quick look at the types of patients who benefit most from a custom sport guard:
No matter which sport brings you to us, we are ready to design a guard that supports both your safety and your performance.
Dr. Will Church brings a patient-first philosophy and advanced training from UNC to every appointment, ensuring that you get a guard built specifically for your bite, your lifestyle, and your goals. We take the time to understand what you need before we recommend anything, which is the kind of care that sets our Durham practice apart. You can learn more about Dr. Church’s approach and what makes our team different before you even walk through the door.
Whether you are managing nightly grinding, TMJ discomfort, or the demands of an active lifestyle, we are here to help you protect your smile for the long term. We also offer flexible financing options through Cherry, Sunbit, and Proceed to make sure cost is never a barrier to the care you need. Ready to get started? Contact our office today to schedule your custom mouthguard consultation.
Experience the difference that advanced technology and compassionate care can make. At Church Dentistry, we’re committed to providing Durham residents with exceptional dental care in a comfortable, modern environment. Whether you need a routine cleaning, cosmetic enhancement, or complex restorative work, our team is here to help you achieve optimal oral health and the confident smile you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover why patients throughout Durham trust us with their smiles.