Night guard: which jaw should it be fitted to?

[prb0123]

Hello there everyone.

Due to night-time grinding, I have substantially worn down three adjacent molars on my LOWER jaw, so I've been fitted with a hard plastic "night guard" to wear on my UPPER jaw.

My question is, I'm worried that this will allow the night guard's plastic to rub back and forth against the worn molars.  Therefore, wouldn't it be better if the night guard was fitted to my *lower* jaw instead, because then the worn molars would be (more or less) better protected from this rubbing?

When I had a previous night guard quite a few years ago, and it was fitted to my lower jaw... and my new one is fitted to the upper one... I'm confused!

Also, I should note that these three adjacent molars are my only worn teeth.

Many thanks for your advice!

[diane493]

Which guard did you find that you can fit to your lower teeth?  

I purchased upper guards after years of a professionally fitted lower guard and the upper guards were too short.  That caused my upper molars to super erupt and I now have an open bite where NO teeth touch except my back molars. Chewing problems....... lisp..........  This had happened before and the lower guard allowed me to slowly force the upper molars back in to place.  

HELP

[arvindbaweja1]

its true that it doesn't matter you wear night guard in upper or lower or in both . all these three option are good to stop grinding/bruxism.

[prb0123]

I appreciate the time you took to answer my question.  Have a great day!

[scottma]

It does not matter whether night guard fitted on upper or lower jaw as long as the device can eliminate bruxism. If night guard done correctly, you will not clench . However, if your device can not eliminate your bruxism, and you worry about lower teeth worn out, lower jaw device is acceptable.