A Short Drive North for Real Jaw Relief
For Larkspur patients, a custom nightguard or TMJ splint is a short drive north on Highway 101 into downtown San Rafael, where we fit you at 1099 D Street, Suite 206. Whether your morning starts on Magnolia Avenue, at Marin Country Mart, or at the Larkspur Landing ferry, the appliance that finally protects your teeth is a quick run up the freeway away.
Grinding and clenching, what dentists call bruxism, usually happen while you sleep. They wear down enamel, crack teeth, and leave you waking with a sore jaw or a dull headache, often for years before the damage shows. A guard built to your bite stops that quiet wear early, before it turns into a crown or an implant down the road.
Three Appliances, One Custom Fit
- Hard nightguard, shields enamel from overnight grinding so worn and chipped teeth stop getting worse
- TMJ splint, repositions the jaw to decompress the joint and quiet the morning soreness and tension
- Sports guard, a closer fit and steadier protection than anything off the shelf, for athletes of any age
- Each one is shaped from a precise impression of your bite, so it is comfortable, holds up over time, and stays where it should all night
Worth a Visit If You
- Grind or clench your teeth, especially overnight
- Wake up with a tight jaw, facial tension, or headaches
- See teeth that are flattening, chipping, or growing sensitive
- Play a sport and want protection that actually fits and stays put
What to Expect
- Evaluation We look at your bite, your wear patterns, and the symptoms you describe to settle on the right appliance for you.
- Precise impression We capture the shape of your bite so the finished guard fits closely, with nothing pushing it loose.
- Custom fabrication Your guard or splint is made from durable hard acrylic, built to your specifications rather than a generic mold.
- Fit and follow-up We fine-tune the fit and check it at your regular visits, so one trip up 101 keeps paying off.
Why D Street Dental Group
Dr. Steve Truman
Dr. Steve earned his DDS from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and served as a clinical instructor. He would rather protect a tooth than rebuild it, and he fits every appliance to your bite himself, so a Larkspur patient sees the same dentist at each visit instead of a rotating roster.
Serving Larkspur
Larkspur sits in southern Marin just off Highway 101, so reaching us is a quick run north up the freeway into downtown San Rafael, where we are at 1099 D Street, on the second floor in Suite 206. If your day already takes you along Magnolia Avenue, through Marin Country Mart, or out to the Larkspur Landing ferry terminal, folding a fitting into the trip to the next town up is simple.
Morning times work well for ferry commuters, so you can sort out a sore jaw before or after the boat. For parking, you will find street spots along D Street and the surrounding blocks, plus several public lots a short walk away in downtown San Rafael.
Cost and Membership
A custom appliance costs more than a drugstore version, but it fits better, lasts longer, and actually protects your teeth. We give you an itemized estimate before we make anything. No surprises.
We are out of network for all dental insurance, though out-of-network plans often cover a good portion of covered services, and we bill your plan directly. If you are uninsured, our in-house "D is for Dental" membership saves 20% on treatment. See membership plans →
Larkspur Nightguard and TMJ Questions
Where do Larkspur patients go for a custom nightguard?
A short drive north on Highway 101 into downtown San Rafael, where we are at 1099 D Street, Suite 206. From Magnolia Avenue, Marin Country Mart, or the Larkspur Landing ferry terminal, getting fitted is a quick run up the freeway. Call (415) 453-0744 to start.
Is a custom nightguard worth the drive over a drugstore one?
Yes. Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, fit loosely, and often get pushed out at night. A custom guard is made from a precise impression of your bite, so it is comfortable, durable, and stays put, giving real protection against grinding instead of a rough approximation.
Can a nightguard help with TMJ and jaw pain?
A TMJ splint is designed to reposition the jaw and decompress the joint, which can ease morning jaw soreness, tension, and related headaches for many patients. Dr. Steve evaluates your bite and symptoms to recommend the right appliance for your situation.
Do you take my insurance if I live in Larkspur?
We are out of network with the dental PPOs, but we still bill your plan directly so you can use your benefits. Out-of-network plans often cover a good portion of covered services. If you do not have insurance, our in-house D is for Dental membership takes 20% off restorative & major work.
Request Your Appointment
Tell us what you need and we'll reach out within one business day. Prefer to talk now? Call (415) 453-0744.
Protect Your Teeth and Jaw
New patients from Larkspur are always welcome. We'll reach out within one business day.