Product Evaluation

GRIND GUARD TECHNOLOGIES

GrindRelief PRO

Fabricated and fitted in the dental practice in a few minutes, the GrindRelief PRO thermoplastic mouthguard treats and mitigates the effects of bruxism 

You’ve seen the signs—worn dentition, enlarged jaw muscles, and patients reporting jaw discomfort, headaches, and tooth sensitivity. In many cases, bruxism is the culprit, and because some patients may not even be aware they are grinding and clenching their teeth during sleep, dentists are often tasked with diagnosing the problem and offering a solution.

As an initial bruxism treatment, a dentist may recommend a plastic mouth appliance such as a night guard that helps absorb occlusal forces. But patients may not be willing to accept the cost, inconvenience, and wait time associated with a lab-manufactured mouthguard. Now dentists have an option that provides immediate gratification and symptom relief without the need for impressions or a second visit to the dentist. Grind Guard Technologies offers a convenient bruxism solution with GrindRelief PRO, an FDA-cleared thermoplastic mouthguard that can be fitted right in the dentist’s office in a few minutes and given to the patient that same day.

Calling GrindRelief PRO “a great solution for patients needing immediate relief from muscular pain due to clenching,” Dr. Hibret Benjamin is excited to be able to “provide patients with a chairside solution when they’re dealing with acute muscular pain.”

Ease of Fabrication &Fit

For this DPS evaluation, clinicians fitted several bruxism patients with GrindRelief PRO mouthguards and commented on the ease of fabrication, while sharing patient feedback. GrindRelief PRO can be fitted to the upper or lower arches in a single appointment without impressions, models, or laboratory fees. Simply soften the thermoplastic material in hot water, place the tray of material in the mouth, ask the patient to bite to form to the teeth, and remove after the material hardens. The material can be resoftened and refit if needed.

Hoping for an “easy, affordable, reliable way to fabricate a nightguard,” Dr. Rodolfo Olmos said the process of fabricating and fitting GrindRelief PRO was “an easy workflow that took very little time to fit” and “was comfortable for the patient and adaptation was great.” Dr. Pamela Brennan Clarke liked the “compact design and ease of fabrication,” and Dr. Benjamin called it “very easy to use and adjust chairside.” Praising GrindRelief PRO’s ease of fitting, simplicity, and ease of use, Matthew Hyde, DDS, shared, “My adult son couldn’t handle a regular mouthguard, but I was able to fit this product with ease for him.” Dr. Hyde suggested “some additional shapes for very narrow arches,” and Dr. Brett Goldsmith recommended “more thermoplastic material in the trays.”

Single Appointment Fabrication & Fitting

GrindRelief PRO is “a great alternative for someone who needs a nightguard and doesn’t want to wait,” stated Dr. Olmos. Dr. Isaac House said it was easy to fit, could be completed all in one visit, but didn’t always stay in place for some patients. When treating an emergency patient with acute TMD pain, Dr. Goldsmith said he “dispensed the appliance the same day as the appointment,” and the patient’s pain was relieved. Susan Graber, DDS, called it “a good quick fix without [the need for] impressions,” especially for patients who gag. Dr. Benjamin said, “It was easy for the patient to understand the need for a full-coverage mouthguard after gaining relief from a quick fabricated product like this one.” 

Patient Comfort & Symptom Relief 

GrindRelief PRO treats and mitigates the effects of nighttime bruxism by preventing occlusion of the most posterior teeth. The patented thermoplastic device features a Central Power Bar, which creates pressure on the upper and lower midlines simultaneously, reducing muscle activity. For patient comfort and subsequent compliance, the small guard extends only to the first premolars and is lined with a soft, moldable thermoplastic layer inside a rigid plastic shell. A correct fit prevents the device from being dislodged by the tongue or cheeks, according to Grind Guard Technologies.

After his hygienist tried GrindRelief PRO, Dr. Olmos shared, “She still uses it and has been very comfortable ever since. It was as easy for our patients as it was for our hygienist. They felt comfortable and, so far, we haven’t had any setbacks.” Calling it “very good for patients who grind” and a solution for TMJ patients, Sage White, DDS, reported “a high level of patient compliance” and said patients “adapted very well to the mouthguard.” Dr. White added, “Almost every patient experienced relief. We will use the mouthguard in the future.” Dr. Sheldon Seidman felt that the guard was “better suited as a temporary solution,” noting that, “the fit to lower teeth did not provide enough retention and the tongue was able to dislodge it.” Dr. Goldsmith said GrindRelief PRO was effective when he could achieve adequate retention (3 of his 5 cases), and Dr. Hyde shared, “4 out of 5 patients were extremely satisfied.” 

"It’s a great solution for patients needing immediate relief from muscular pain due to clenching"

Hibret Benjamin, DDS

San Francisco, CA

Overall Satisfaction

Calling it “a great in-office solution for TMJ pain from bruxism” and “an inexpensive alternative to lab-fabricated appliances,” Dr. Brennan Clarke said she plans to purchase GrindRelief PRO. “It gives patients a quick solution for protection and pain associated with night grinding.”

Takeaways

• A patented, FDA-cleared thermoplastic mouthguard for treating bruxism
• A Central Power Bar creates pressure on upper and lower midlines to reduce muscle activity
• Fabricated and fitted in under 10 minutes in a single appointment
• Comfortable for patient due to small size, soft inner layer, and correct fit
• Can be resoftened and refit as often as needed