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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on August 10, 2005, at 4:10:59
My dentist told me that he charges $476 for them. I don't have any insurance to help cover that cost so I'm looking for a cheaper substitute.
I used the one in the drugstores that you have to boil in order to fit it. That didn't work out at all. But I've since read on-line about a product called SleepRight. I've also been reading about labs that charge much less for the same dental guards that dentists provide. They just eliminate the middle man (the dentist). Has anyone tried either of these?
Posted by Sarah T. on August 10, 2005, at 18:40:18
In reply to Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes?, posted by KaraS on August 10, 2005, at 4:10:59
Hi Kara,
I'm also looking for a cheaper dental guard. Thank you for mentioning Sleep Right. I will look into it. I'm also interested in the other product you mentioned. Do you know the name of any of those labs?
By the way, a friend of mine tried "Night Guard," which is available at drug stores. That's the one you have to boil. She also had a terrible time with it and just made a mess.
Sarah
Posted by KaraS on August 10, 2005, at 22:19:05
In reply to Re: Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes? » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on August 10, 2005, at 18:40:18
> Hi Kara,
>
> I'm also looking for a cheaper dental guard. Thank you for mentioning Sleep Right. I will look into it. I'm also interested in the other product you mentioned. Do you know the name of any of those labs?
>
> By the way, a friend of mine tried "Night Guard," which is available at drug stores. That's the one you have to boil. She also had a terrible time with it and just made a mess.
>
> Sarah
Hi Sarah,I just had a feeling that you would answer this post and there you were! :-)
Let me know what you think once you've looked into the Sleep Right. From the pictures of it, it looks like it should work.
I didn't save the names of the couple of labs I came across but I could probably find them again. I'm a bit reluctant to post them since I don't know if they're legit or not. Maybe if they're listed with the BBB we can trust them. Is there any other way to tell? I'd rather check them out and then post them if they pass the test.
I wonder if anyone has had any success with the "Night Guard" that you have to boil. I didn't try it until a long time after I bought it so I couldn't even get my money back. A real waste.
K
Posted by Sarah T. on August 11, 2005, at 1:25:07
In reply to Re: Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes? » Sarah T., posted by KaraS on August 10, 2005, at 22:19:05
Hi Kara,
We seem to have similar interests and concerns!
I will try to do some searches on Sleep Right and the labs you mentioned in a day or so. I'm sooooo exhausted tonight, I can barely see straight. I can't recall ever seeing any consumer-oriented ratings of mouth guards or labs that make them, but there must be a website somewhere that will help us. Your idea about the Better Business Bureau sounds good. I know they have websites.
I had a mouth guard made about six years ago. It was ridiculously expensive, and now I need a new one. I refuse to pay what I paid last time.
I've never heard of anyone having success with the boiled Night Guard. I saw the instructions, and it looked like a nuisance. I guess you have to boil it if the fit doesn't feel right. My friend ended up throwing it out.
I'll try to read up on it tomorrow. I'm sorry for being such a "party pooper" tonight.
Sarah
Posted by me922 on August 11, 2005, at 10:52:34
In reply to Re: Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes? » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on August 11, 2005, at 1:25:07
Well this is going to sound weird, but I kept having to have new mouth guards made, bad tmj problem. I now have no money to make another so I am using rolled up glad wrap and it is working great for me. Depends on what your issue is I guess. My bite is so off again that I was having terrible jaw pain brought on by SSRI'[s. I used the glad wrap while on lexapro and it worked for me to ease the jaw pain and teeth clinching issues. But I started tianeptine and so far have not had the jaw pain and teeth clinching issues. Pain is almost gone in the jaw since being on tianeptine.
Posted by KaraS on August 11, 2005, at 13:31:55
In reply to Re: Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes? » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on August 11, 2005, at 1:25:07
No problem. I'll try to do some research on it too. I have the BBB's web site bookmarked. I often look up companies there. It's been a big help to me but they don't always have everything. When companies are new or keep changing their name, it's hard to find info on them.
Those night guards from the drugstore have to be boiled to set them initially and then boiled to reajust them - and then they still don't work. It was so frustrating to put all that time and energy into and get nothing in return.
Posted by KaraS on August 11, 2005, at 13:34:44
In reply to Re: Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes?, posted by me922 on August 11, 2005, at 10:52:34
> Well this is going to sound weird, but I kept having to have new mouth guards made, bad tmj problem. I now have no money to make another so I am using rolled up glad wrap and it is working great for me. Depends on what your issue is I guess. My bite is so off again that I was having terrible jaw pain brought on by SSRI'[s. I used the glad wrap while on lexapro and it worked for me to ease the jaw pain and teeth clinching issues. But I started tianeptine and so far have not had the jaw pain and teeth clinching issues. Pain is almost gone in the jaw since being on tianeptine.
That's really interesting and creative! How thick is the amount you're using? How do you make sure to keep it in place all night? I'd be afraid of it dislodging and then swallowing it or choking on it.BTW, how is the tianeptine working for you otherwise?
K
Posted by KaraS on August 19, 2005, at 19:05:44
In reply to Anyone used cheaper dental guard substitutes?, posted by KaraS on August 10, 2005, at 4:10:59
The company (Splintek) that makes the SleepRight guard was given a slap on the wrist by the FDA. They were sent a warning letter regarding a similar bruxism product than the one I've mentioned (EZ-Splint and EZ-Splint PM). The warning was sent because they hadn't submitted the product for review to the FDA before distribution.
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g1653d.htm
The company later complied and received a judgment that the
"The EZ-Splnt and the EZ-Splint PM are safe and effective for their intended use."
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf2/k022809.pdf
I believe that the EZ-Splint does more for jaw reallignment than the SleepRight product. Anyway, I didn't find anything negative about the SleepRight. It is sold by several Internet companies. I followed up with the BBB on-line and found that some of them have bad records but others appear to be fine to order from. I'll do some more research for prices and decide which one to go with.
In the meantime, I found out about another product. It's called the StressGard. The company that makes it, TotalGard, sells it for only $10.95 + $3.50 shipping & handling. TotalGard, is a member of, and has an excellent record with, the BBB. There are some other reputable companies selling it for $9.99 but I haven't checked out their shipping costs yet. The StressGard doesn't have much thickness where the teeth bite down so I'm not sure why it would be effective. I may call them and ask some questions about this. If I'm satisfied with the response then I may order this one first because it's so inexpensive. Here's a TotalGard link for it.
http://www.totalgard.com/index.html
Neither of the StressGard nor the SleepRight have to be boiled. The SleepRight does require some molding but all you have to do is hold it under hot water before you use it the first time. The StressGard is supposed to be adjustable and so one size fits all.
What do you think?
Kara
Posted by KaraS on August 19, 2005, at 23:46:07
In reply to Re: I did some more research » KaraS, posted by KaraS on August 19, 2005, at 19:05:44
Posted by KaraS on August 24, 2005, at 20:32:58
In reply to Re: I did some more research » KaraS, posted by KaraS on August 19, 2005, at 19:05:44
Here's a disturbing report on Splintek (makers of the SleepRight night guard) from the BBB:
http://www.kansascity.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=99123450
The BBB considers them a member. According to the BBB regarding a company member "This means it supports the Bureau's services to the public and meets our membership standards." But later on down the page when discussing Splintek's record they say this:
"Customer Experience
The Bureau has processed customer complaints on this company since the Bureau file opened in May 2003. One complaint was resolved. In addition the bureau was unable to pursue other complaint(s) because the company could not be located."
How can the company be a member in good standing and yet they haven't been able to find the company to resolve complaints?
I think I'll stay away from this product and only try the Stressgard product from Totalgard.
K
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