BRUXISM

Teeth Grinding and Clenching: Do I Need a Night Guard?

Name: I grind my teeth in my sleep and clench them during the day. Do I need a splint?
Creator: Sunmin Kim

Treated by Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist) · Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry) · Reviewed by Dr. Sunmin KimAbout the doctor →

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 · Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist, Certified Orthodontist of the Korean Association of Orthodontists)

At a glance

Good for: Teeth worn down or chipped from grinding at night, with a stiff jaw in the morning
Treatment flow: Record worn teeth and check muscles → Impressions → Splint fitting → 1–2 adjustments
Duration and limits: A splint protects your teeth but does not stop grinding. For daytime clenching, practicing keeping your teeth apart comes first

Details

A splint does not stop teeth grinding. It keeps your upper and lower teeth from grinding directly against each other while you sleep, protecting your teeth, dental restorations, and jaw muscles. If grinding at night wears down or chips your teeth and your jaw feels stiff in the morning, a custom splint can help. It usually takes 1 impression visit, 1 fitting visit, and 1–2 adjustment visits. A splint cannot stop daytime clenching, so practicing keeping your teeth apart comes first. At Ceramic Dental Clinic, we record worn teeth with photos and check your jaw muscles and joints together to decide whether you need a splint or can wait and watch.

01^°

Even with the same grinding, some cases needed a splint and some did not

We chose different treatment depending on whether it was night grinding or daytime clenching, how damaged the teeth were, and whether there were restorations to protect. Here are three typical cases with their progress records.

CASE01

Molars worn and crowns broken from grinding at night

Night grinding · Custom splint + correcting daytime clenching habit, broken crowns remade

Lower teeth with biting surfaces worn flat from grinding at night — Grinding at night wore the canine tips and molar biting surfaces flat.

Upper teeth with two broken front crowns — Front crowns broken by grinding. Remaking them without a splint could have led to breaks in the same place again.

Clear custom splint fitted over the upper teeth — Custom splint. After the crowns were remade, it is worn every night to protect the teeth and restorations.

Condition: 40s, stiff jaw in the morning, molar wear and broken crowns, family heard grinding sounds
Chosen: Custom splint, correcting daytime clenching habit, crowns remade
Not done: Botox (symptoms were controlled with the splint and habit correction)
Record: Morning jaw pain 5/10 → 2/10
Note: Grinding can get worse again during stressful periods, so we check the splint every 6 months.

CASE02

Jaw muscle pain from a habit of clenching the teeth during the day

Daytime clenching · Teeth-apart practice and self-exercises, physical therapy, no splint

Muscle palpation record marking tender spots in the masseter and temporalis muscles on a face diagram — Muscle palpation record. Pressing the masseter muscle reproduced the usual pain.

Teeth-apart reminder stickers for a monitor and phone — Teeth-apart reminder sticker. Put it where you look often, and each time you see it, check whether your upper and lower teeth are touching.

Muscle palpation record measured again at re-evaluation: temporalis tenderness gone — Re-evaluation. Mouth opening and muscle pain were measured again the same way as the first time.

Condition: 30s, clenching habit during computer work, jaw muscle pain worse in the afternoon, almost no tooth wear
Chosen: Teeth-apart practice and relaxed position, self jaw exercises, PHL-15 physical therapy
Not done: Splint (almost no signs of night grinding; the daytime habit was the cause)
Record: Pain 6/10 → 1/10
Note: The habit tends to come back during busy periods, so we advised continuing with the stickers and exercises.

CASE03

Worried about grinding after porcelain veneers

Protecting restorations · Custom splint after veneers were completed

Upper front teeth with unevenly worn edges before veneers — Front teeth before veneers. The edges were unevenly worn, confirming signs of grinding.

Upper front teeth after veneers were completed — After veneers were completed. The new front teeth needed protection so they would not chip or come off.

Custom splint fitted over the veneers — With the splint in. At night, it keeps the front veneers from hitting the lower teeth directly.

Condition: Worn front tooth edges, veneer treatment planned
Chosen: Custom splint after veneers were completed
Not done: Soft mouthguard from a pharmacy or online store (the bite cannot be adjusted)
Duration: About 1–2 weeks from veneer bonding to splint completion
Note: The splint is not worn during the day, so the daytime clenching habit also needs to be reduced. We need to keep checking that the splint is worn regularly and that wear does not increase at regular check-ups.

* Records and photos were published with the patients' consent. Pain scores are 0–10 ratings given by the patients themselves. Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

02^°

Night grinding and daytime clenching are handled differently

Both keep the jaw muscles from resting, but they happen at different times and are corrected in different ways.

01Grinding during sleep

Often you do not notice it yourself, and family members hear the sound. You cannot stop it by will while asleep, so the main approach is protecting your teeth and restorations with a splint. Your jaw may feel stiff in the morning.

02Daytime clenching

You press your upper and lower teeth together when focusing on work, exercise, or your phone. You can notice and correct it yourself, so practicing keeping your teeth apart matters most. A splint cannot stop it.

Lower front teeth and canines with edges worn flat from grinding at night — Signs of night grinding. Canine and front tooth edges grind sideways and form flat worn surfaces.

Illustration explaining a white line on the inside of the cheek — Signs of clenching. A white line forms on the inside of the cheek at the level where the molars meet.

Illustration explaining wavy tooth marks along the side of the tongue — Signs of clenching. Tooth marks are left in a wavy pattern along the side of the tongue.

Stress, tension, and lack of sleep are common causes, and snoring or breathing problems during sleep are sometimes involved. We do not simply conclude that "you grind because your bite is off."

03^°

How we make a custom splint

Five steps, from records to regular check-ups. For each step, we explain what we look at and why, with real treatment photos.

Photo marking front teeth and canine tips worn flat — Wear records. We photograph where and how much the teeth are worn and compare at the next check-up.

Illustration of a 3D scan model with worn surfaces marked in color — Wear records. We photograph where and how much the teeth are worn and compare at the next check-up.

STEP 01

We record worn teeth and broken restorations

We check how worn the canine and front tooth edges and molar biting surfaces are, and whether any teeth or restorations are cracked or broken, and record them with photos. Areas near the roots that are notched and sensitive are also checked by Dr. Ilseop Ahn, a board-certified periodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry.

Why we do thisGrinding is not a problem that appears overnight, so we need to record how far it has progressed now as a baseline. With records, we can compare whether wear has stopped or continues after you start using a splint.

Ceramic Dental Clinic TMJ self-questionnaire (name hidden) — TMJ self-questionnaire (the actual form used at our clinic, name hidden). You first mark clenching habits and jaw pain, then we press the masseter and temporalis muscles and measure how many mm your mouth opens.

STEP 02

We check your jaw muscles and joints together

We check whether the jaw muscles hurt when pressed, whether your mouth opens well, and whether there is clicking or catching. If jaw pain is severe, we start with lifestyle advice, medication, and PHL-15 physical therapy before a splint, and re-evaluate after about 2 months.

Why we do thisIf a splint is fitted right away while the jaw is very painful, the bite changes every morning, making it hard to fit the splint accurately. Easing the pain first makes the splint bite adjustment more accurate.

Illustration of a finished splint with a flat, smooth biting surface — Finished custom splint. It is made from a hard material, and the biting surface is smoothed flat so the lower teeth touch it evenly.

Cross-section illustration of lower teeth touching a splint worn over the upper molars — Finished custom splint. It is made from a hard material, and the biting surface is smoothed flat so the lower teeth touch it evenly.

STEP 03

We design the bite height and splint thickness

Based on a model of your teeth, we set the splint thickness and bite height. We make a hard splint worn over the upper teeth and design it so the lower teeth touch its flat surface evenly.

Why we do thisSome experts say a soft ready-made mouthguard cannot be fitted to your bite, so force goes to only some teeth and it may even increase chewing habits. A custom splint is adjusted for height and contact to spread the force evenly.

Illustration of checking bite marks on a splint with articulating paper — Fitting and bite adjustment. You bite on thin paper (articulating paper), and we smooth high spots so your lower teeth touch the splint evenly.

STEP 04

We adjust the bite on the fitting day and 2 weeks later

On the fitting day, we adjust the bite and show you how to put the splint in, take it out, and clean it. After about 2 weeks of use, you come back, tell us what felt uncomfortable in the morning, and we adjust it once more. Adjustments are usually 1–2 visits.

Why we do thisThe bite set in the clinic on the first day can differ slightly from how you actually bite while sleeping. Listening to discomfort after a few days and refining the splint helps you keep wearing it regularly.

Illustration of scratches and wear on a splint surface after a few months of use — Regular check-ups. Marks left on the splint surface show how strong your grinding is and in which direction it goes.

STEP 05

At regular check-ups, we look at the splint and your teeth together

Bring your splint usually every 6 months. We check the marks on it, any cracks, and the fit, and compare with your first records to see whether tooth wear has progressed. If grinding has decreased, we also decide whether you still need it.

Why we do thisWhile the splint wears down in place of your teeth, your teeth are protected. But if the splint is badly worn or cracked, it protects less. Marks on the splint are also a record showing whether grinding continues.

* Clinical photos were published with the patients' consent. Side effects such as temporary pain or discomfort may occur depending on the person.

Clean the splint with a toothbrush in the morning and keep it in its case. Avoid hot water, which can warp it.

04^°

Check yourself for signs of grinding

My jaw or temples feel stiff in the morningThe edges of my front teeth or canines are worn flatMy teeth often chip or crackThe areas near my tooth roots are notched and sensitiveI have tooth marks on the inside of my cheeks or the side of my tongueMy family has heard me grinding my teethMy restorations or resin fillings often come offI have noticed myself clenching my teeth when I focus

If 3 or more apply, we recommend an exam. You can send us photos of your worn teeth first.

05^°

Comparing treatment options for grinding and clenching

	Purpose	Method	Advantages	Limits	Cost
① Correcting daytime habits	Reducing clenching	Teeth-apart reminder stickers, relaxed position, self jaw exercises	No cost, and it corrects the habit itself	Requires steady effort	None
② Custom splint	Protects teeth, restorations, and jaw at night	Wear a custom splint before sleep	Can reduce tooth wear and damage and ease muscle strain	Does not stop grinding itself; needs regular adjustment	Not covered by insurance · See the fee schedule →
③ Physical therapy	Easing muscle pain	PHL-15 low-level laser physical therapy	May help with muscle pain	Effects vary from person to person	Covered by Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) if diagnosed with a TMJ disorder
④ Botox	When muscle force is very strong and pain continues	Muscle injection, considered only in limited cases	Temporarily reduces muscle force	Effects are temporary, study results are mixed, and it is not approved in Korea for TMJ disorders or grinding (off-label use)	Not covered by insurance · See the Botox page →
⑤ Restoring damaged teeth	Teeth that are already broken or notched	Resin, inlays, crowns	Restoring function	If grinding continues, they can break again, so we consider them together with a splint	Varies by treatment
⑥ Referral to other specialties	Suspected breathing problems during sleep	Sleep study	Finding hidden causes	Care outside dentistry	Varies by provider

06^°

Who needs a splint, what to treat first, and who can wait and watch

A splint helps

You have tooth wear, chipping, or broken restorations from grinding at night
Night grinding with a stiff jaw in the morning
You need to protect veneers, implants, or crowns

Other treatment comes first

Severe jaw pain: we start with step-by-step TMJ treatment first
Broken teeth or cavities: we restore them first
Heavy snoring, or you have been told you stop breathing in your sleep: we recommend a sleep study first

You can wait and watch for now

Mild grinding with almost no wear and no symptoms: we watch with habit advice and regular check-ups
Only daytime clenching with no signs of night grinding: teeth-apart practice comes first

07^°

Side effects and limits

Please read

· A splint protects your teeth and jaw but does not stop grinding. Grinding can get worse again.

· For the first few days, you may have more saliva or the splint may feel strange.

· Right after taking the splint out in the morning, your bite may feel strange for a moment. It usually returns to normal quickly.

· A poorly fitting splint can be uncomfortable and tense the muscles, so adjustment is needed.

· With long use, the splint may wear or crack and need to be remade.

· If you have breathing problems during sleep, the type of device may need to be decided separately.

FAQ

Will wearing a splint stop my teeth grinding?

A splint does not stop teeth grinding. It keeps your upper and lower teeth from grinding directly against each other while you sleep, protecting your teeth, dental restorations, and jaw muscles.

Living in Korea

Questions from international patients who live in Korea.

Can I use Korean National Health Insurance?

If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, insured treatments are billed under the same insurance rules as for other enrollees. Whether a treatment is covered depends on the treatment and the insurance rules, and we tell you before treatment starts. If you are not enrolled, you pay the full fee.

Can I be seen in English?

Yes. The doctor in charge of each field consults with you directly in English, so you do not need an interpreter.

How do I book an appointment?

Message us on WhatsApp. You can also send us an email or call +82-2-517-0002.

I am in Korea only for a short trip. Can I have this treatment?

It depends on how many visits the treatment needs. Tell us your travel dates when you contact us, and we will tell you after the examination whether the schedule is realistic.

Results, the number of visits and schedules vary from person to person. More questions: Visiting from abroad.

TMJ and teeth grindingMy jaw hurts and clicks. How is it treated?→TMJ and teeth grindingDoes Botox help with TMJ problems and teeth grinding?→Cavities and root canal treatmentThe root area of this tooth is worn and sensitive→Cavities and root canal treatmentGold crowns vs. ceramic crowns: what is the difference?→Porcelain veneers and front teethPorcelain veneers (CERANATE): are they right for me?→Implants and gumsImplants: do I really need one? And if so, who will see it through, how, and to the end?→

Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

You can also ask us first by sending photos of your worn teeth

WhatsApp LINE Call +82-2-517-0002 First visit