Night Guard
A removable occlusal splint worn during sleep to protect teeth from parafunctional grinding or clenching forces.
Full Definition
A night guard (also termed an occlusal splint, bite guard, or bruxism appliance) is a custom-fabricated or over-the-counter removable device covering the occlusal surfaces of one arch, designed to redistribute and absorb occlusal forces during sleep. It is the primary conservative management for bruxism-related tooth wear, temporomandibular disorder symptoms, and restoration protection. Editors should note that the preferred clinical term in formal manuscripts is 'occlusal splint' rather than the colloquial 'night guard,' and that the device type (hard acrylic vs. soft vinyl; maxillary vs. mandibular) should be specified in clinical documents. The term 'bite guard' is widely understood but considered semi-colloquial in peer-reviewed writing.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'occlusal splint' in formal and peer-reviewed clinical copy. 'Night guard' is acceptable in patient-facing materials and lay summaries.
In Context
- "The patient was fitted with a hard acrylic maxillary night guard to manage parafunction-related anterior tooth wear." — Restorative dentistry treatment plan
- "Replace 'night guard' with 'occlusal splint' in the abstract to align with the journal's formal terminology policy." — Copy-editing note