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Bruxism, or tooth grinding, can lead to serious problems such as cracked teeth and lead to tooth loss over time. Your dentist will recognize the signs of bruxism when he or she examines your teeth. If bruxism is an issue for you, a custom-fitted nightguard worn while sleeping can protect your teeth from the damage tooth grinding causes.
Estero · Bonita Springs, FL
Estero Bay Dental offers custom-fitted nightguards to patients in Estero and Bonita Springs, with Dr. Ivan Vigoa and our team helping protect your teeth from the wear and damage that grinding and clenching can cause.
Many people grind or clench their teeth without knowing it, because it often happens during sleep. The first signs are usually a sore jaw, a morning headache, or teeth that look worn down.
At Estero Bay Dental, Dr. Ivan Vigoa and our Estero, FL team make custom nightguards to help protect your teeth from the damage that grinding causes.
Bruxism, or tooth grinding, can lead to serious problems such as cracked teeth and lead to tooth loss over time. Your dentist will recognize the signs of bruxism when he or she examines your teeth. If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called bruxism. Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.
There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. Nightguards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth-grinding causes over time. Custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, a nightguard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth. When you get a routine exam at our Estero, FL office, your Estero Bay Dental dentist will evaluate your teeth for signs of bruxism and recommend a plan to prevent damage to your teeth.
Not every guard serves the same purpose. This table shows how the options we offer differ.
| Option | Best Suited For | What To Know |
|---|---|---|
| Custom nightguard | Grinding or clenching during sleep | Made from soft material to fit your top or bottom arch and keep opposing teeth from touching. |
| Sports guard | Contact sports and active play | Helps protect teeth and lips from injury during activity. |
| Store-bought guard | Short-term use | Not made to fit your individual teeth, so fit and comfort can vary. |
| Bite evaluation | Ongoing wear, soreness, or bite concerns | Looks at how your teeth come together and whether more care is needed. |
A nightguard only works when it is clean, comfortable, and worn as directed. These habits help it do its job.
| Habit | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Wear it while sleeping | Protects your teeth during the hours when grinding usually happens. |
| Clean it daily and store it in its case | Keeps it fresh and helps prevent damage. |
| Bring it to your exams and cleanings | Lets us check the fit and look for wear. |
| Tell us if it feels tight or loose | A guard that does not fit well may need an adjustment. |
| Mention new jaw pain or headaches | Helps us decide whether more care is needed. |
For more on jaw and bite concerns, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains the basics of temporomandibular disorders.
Estero Bay Dental accepts several PPO insurance plans, and our team will review your benefits with you before treatment. You can read more on our insurance page. If you have no insurance, our Smile Program is a discount program you can ask about. We accept CareCredit and work with several financing partners, including Cherry Financing, to provide flexible options for paying the cost of treatment over time.
Our Estero office at 21740 S Tamiami Trail #111 welcomes patients from Estero, Bonita Springs, and nearby neighborhoods such as Pelican Landing, Pelican Sound, and Coconut Point. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, and our team speaks both English and Spanish.
Here are answers to questions we often hear about nightguards.
Bruxism is the common condition of clenching or grinding your teeth, often during sleep. Many people do not know they do it, so your dentist at Estero Bay Dental looks for signs when examining your teeth.
Bruxism can lead to serious problems such as broken teeth, cracked teeth, and even tooth loss over time. It can also come with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches.
A nightguard is custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth. It is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth.
A nightguard is an easy, non-invasive treatment, and ours are made to fit your teeth. Tell our Estero team if it feels uncomfortable so we can check the fit.
Common signs include waking with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or noticing that you clench your teeth. Your dentist will recognize signs of bruxism at a routine exam.
Yes, we offer both night guards and sports guards at Estero Bay Dental. Ask our team which one fits your needs.
Store-bought guards are not made to fit your individual teeth. A custom-fitted nightguard from your dentist is designed for your arch and your bite.
Clean it daily, keep it in its case, and bring it to your exams and cleanings so we can check the fit. Call our Estero office if it feels tight, loose, or damaged.
Coverage varies by plan, and we accept several PPO plans. Our team will review your benefits, and patients without insurance can ask about our Smile Program discount program or our financing options.
If you wake up with a sore jaw or have been told you grind your teeth, our Estero, FL team is ready to take a look. We proudly serve patients throughout Estero, Bonita Springs, and the surrounding Southwest Florida communities. We invite you to contact our office or request an appointment to schedule your visit.
Dr. Vigoa holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree along with licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist and a Registered Nurse, and completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at NYU Langone. Originally from Cuba, he is fully fluent in Spanish and welcomes patients from all cultural backgrounds.
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