Night Guard Cost UK 2026 — Bruxism Splint Prices & Options
Night Guard Cost UK 2026 — Bruxism Splint Prices & Options
Quick answer
A custom-fitted soft thermoplastic night guard from a UK dentist costs £150–£300. A hard acrylic Michigan-style splint costs £300–£600. Same-day CEREC splints cost £350–£750. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards cost £10–£40 but provide significantly less protection. The NHS does not routinely provide night guards for bruxism — they are almost always a private treatment.
Key takeaways
- Custom soft thermoplastic night guards cost £150–£300 from a UK dentist.
- Hard acrylic Michigan splints — the most durable type — cost £300–£600.
- The NHS does not routinely provide night guards for bruxism.
- OTC boil-and-bite guards (£10–£40) are better than nothing but much less effective than custom guards.
- Hard guards are preferred for heavy grinders; soft guards are more comfortable for mild cases.
Around 8–10% of UK adults grind their teeth during sleep — a habit called bruxism. Left untreated, it gradually wears down enamel, cracks fillings and veneers, and can cause jaw pain, headaches and even tooth loss. A custom-fitted night guard is the primary protective treatment.
Night guard prices in the UK 2026
| Type | UK average | London | OTC alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft thermoplastic (custom) | £150–£300 | £200–£380 | — |
| Hard acrylic / Michigan splint (custom) | £300–£600 | £400–£750 | — |
| CEREC same-day hard splint | £350–£750 | £450–£900 | — |
| Boil-and-bite OTC guard | — | — | £10–£40 |
Soft vs hard night guard: which is better?
Soft thermoplastic night guards
Made from flexible thermoplastic material, soft guards are more comfortable to wear and easier to adapt to. They are suitable for mild grinders and patients with jaw pain or TMJ issues. However, they tend to wear out faster and some research suggests heavy grinders chew through them — potentially making the grinding worse rather than better.
Hard acrylic Michigan splints
The Michigan-style flat-plane hard splint is considered the gold standard for bruxism. Made from rigid acrylic, it is more durable, easier to adjust and provides a better distribution of occlusal forces. Most dentists recommend hard splints for patients with significant wear or a heavy bite. They take a week or two to adjust to but last far longer than soft guards.
Should I get an upper or lower night guard?
Most UK dentists provide upper (maxillary) splints as standard — they are more retentive and less likely to be dislodged. Lower (mandibular) splints are preferred by patients who find upper appliances trigger a gag reflex, or by those who already have extensive upper dental work that the guard must fit over precisely.
Can I save money with an online or OTC guard?
Boil-and-bite guards available from pharmacies and Amazon (£10–£40) provide some protection and are worth using while waiting for a custom guard. However, they:
- Do not fit as precisely, causing uneven pressure on teeth
- Cannot be finely adjusted to your bite
- Wear out quickly under heavy grinding pressure
- May worsen TMJ symptoms if they alter the bite
Online dental impression kit companies also sell custom guards (£60–£120). These are better than boil-and-bite but are made without a clinical assessment of your bite and without the dentist adjusting the finished splint — which is the most important step.
Night guard vs treating bruxism
A night guard protects your teeth but does not stop the grinding. If stress is a trigger, CBT, relaxation techniques and physiotherapy targeting the jaw muscles can reduce the frequency of grinding. Botox injections into the masseter muscle (£200–£400) reduce the force of grinding for 3–6 months and are gaining evidence as a complementary treatment.
See our night guard treatment page and our guide to dental check-up costs for information on identifying bruxism early.
Every night guard type, priced
"Night guard" covers four quite different appliances, and the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive is a factor of five. What you need depends on how hard you grind and whether the jaw joint is involved, not on price alone.
| Type | Typical UK | Central London |
|---|---|---|
| Soft thermoplastic night guard | £150–£300 | £200–£380 |
| Hard acrylic Michigan splint (upper or lower) | £300–£600 | £400–£750 |
| CEREC same-day hard splint | £350–£750 | £450–£900 |
| Anterior repositioning splint (TMJ) | £350–£700 | £450–£850 |
Private fees compiled from UK clinic price lists and 2026 market surveys. The NHS does not routinely provide splints for bruxism, so these are self-funded.
The practical split: a soft thermoplastic guard is the cheapest custom option and suits light grinders, but heavy grinders chew through one in a year or two. A hard acrylic Michigan splint costs roughly double and lasts three to ten years, which usually makes it cheaper per year of use. Same-day CEREC splints buy convenience rather than durability. An anterior repositioning splint is a different device altogether — it is prescribed for jaw-joint problems, not simply for wear.
Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards cost £10–£40 and are the one option worth arguing about. They can protect teeth short-term, but they are bulkier, wear out in months, and a poor fit can move teeth or make jaw pain worse. If you are grinding hard enough to need protection every night, the custom appliance is the cheaper decision over any realistic time horizon.
See the night guard treatment page for how the appliance is made, fitted and cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a night guard cost from a UK dentist?
A custom soft thermoplastic night guard costs £150–£300. A hard acrylic Michigan-style splint costs £300–£600. Expect to pay 30–50% more in central London.
Does the NHS provide night guards for teeth grinding?
Not routinely. Night guards for bruxism are almost always a private treatment. In exceptional cases where grinding is causing severe clinical damage, an NHS dentist may justify provision under Band 2 (£76.60) or Band 3 (£332.10).
Is a custom night guard worth the cost?
Yes for consistent grinders. A custom guard at £300–£600 protects enamel, crowns and veneers worth thousands. A crown costs £700–£1,500 to replace; a single implant £2,000–£3,500. A night guard is cost-effective prevention.
How long does a night guard last?
Hard acrylic splints last 3–10 years for most patients. Heavy grinders may wear through one in 1–2 years. Soft guards last 1–2 years on average.