Catch the Damage Before It Shows
Grinding and clenching, what dentists call bruxism, tend to happen while you sleep. You may not notice them for a long time, but the enamel does: it wears flat, teeth chip or crack, and the jaw wakes up sore. By the time the wear is obvious in the mirror, the fix is often a crown rather than a thin layer of acrylic.
A custom appliance steps in early. At D Street Dental Group we take a precise impression and build a guard to your bite, not a soft tray that floats loose and gets nudged out by morning. Dr. Steve matches the appliance to what is actually happening in your mouth, whether the trouble is overnight grinding, jaw strain, or contact on the field.
Three Appliances, One Custom Fit
- Hard nightguard, a firm shield that takes the wear of overnight grinding so your enamel does not
- TMJ splint, shaped to reposition the jaw and decompress the joint, easing soreness and tension for many patients
- Sports guard, a closer, steadier fit than any drugstore tray for athletes of any age
- Each one is built to your exact bite, so it is comfortable, durable, and made to stay where you put it
This May Be for You If You
- Grind or clench your teeth, especially overnight
- Wake up with a sore jaw, tightness, or a dull headache
- See teeth that look worn, chipped, or feel newly sensitive
- Play a sport and want protection that fits and stays put
What to Expect
- Evaluation We look at your bite, your wear patterns, and your symptoms, then talk through which appliance makes sense.
- Precise impression We capture your bite so the finished guard or splint fits closely.
- Custom fabrication Your appliance is built from durable hard acrylic to the measurements we took.
- Fit and follow-up We fine-tune the fit and check it at your regular visits so it keeps doing its job.
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 each appliance to your bite himself so it actually does its job, night after night.
Serving San Anselmo
San Anselmo runs on a walkable downtown, and getting to us folds neatly into a day you are already spending there. From the Hub, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard heads straight east through the Ross Valley and into central San Rafael, ending near our office at 1099 D Street. Whether you are picking up something along San Anselmo Avenue, coming down from Red Hill, or driving in from out toward Fairfax, it is a short, familiar run to the chair.
We see Ross Valley village families every week, so an impression appointment and the fitting that follows slot into the same loop you make for errands. We are on the second floor in Suite 206, with street parking along D Street and a few public lots a short walk away in downtown San Rafael.
Cost and Membership
A custom appliance costs more than a drugstore tray, but it fits better, lasts longer, and actually protects your teeth. We give you an itemized estimate before any fabrication begins. No surprises.
We are out of network with the dental PPOs, yet we still bill your plan directly so your San Anselmo benefits apply, often a good portion of covered services. If you have no insurance, our in-house "D is for Dental" membership saves 20% on treatment. See membership plans →
Nightguard and TMJ Questions
Where do San Anselmo patients go for a custom nightguard?
D Street Dental Group is a short drive east from San Anselmo. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard runs from the Hub through the Ross Valley into downtown San Rafael, where we sit at 1099 D Street, Suite 206. We fit each guard to your exact bite and give you a clear price before fabrication. Call (415) 453-0744 to get started.
Can a nightguard help my TMJ and jaw pain?
Often, yes. A TMJ splint is built to reposition the jaw and decompress the joint, which can ease morning soreness, tension, and related headaches for many people. Dr. Steve looks at your bite, your wear patterns, and your symptoms before recommending the appliance that fits your situation.
Is a custom nightguard better than a drugstore one?
A boil-and-bite guard is bulky, fits loosely, and tends to get pushed out overnight. A custom guard is made from a precise impression of your bite, so it stays put and actually protects your teeth from grinding instead of approximating the job.
Do you take my insurance if I live in San Anselmo?
We are out of network with the dental PPOs, but we still bill your plan directly so your San Anselmo benefits apply, often a good portion of covered services. If you have no insurance, our in-house D is for Dental membership takes 20% off restorative & major work, and we always give an itemized estimate first.
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 San Anselmo are always welcome. We'll reach out within one business day.