Protect Your Teeth — Without the Bulk
If you or your child plays sports, a custom-fitted mouth guard from Brilliant Smiles is the simplest way to protect teeth, jaws, and soft tissue — and it fits so well you'll almost forget it's there. Dr. Deshpande serves athletes and families across Kenilworth, Summit, and New Providence.
- Ready in as few as two visits
- Precise fit from custom impressions
- Far more protective than store-bought
Built from Your Impressions
Every guard is fabricated from a precise mold of your teeth — no generic sizing, no uncomfortable guessing.
Comfortable Enough to Wear
A guard that fits well is a guard that actually gets used — and ours are designed to stay in place without bulk.
Evening and Saturday Hours
Busy schedules are the norm — we offer early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments so the fitting never gets skipped.
Quick Facts
Essential information about this procedure
“A guard that fits is a guard that actually gets worn — and that's the whole point.”
Why Store-Bought Guards Fall Short
Most people pick up a boil-and-bite mouth guard from the pharmacy or sporting goods store and figure it'll do the job. And for a casual pickup game, maybe. But if you or your child plays regularly — whether that's football, basketball, soccer, field hockey, or martial arts — a guard that doesn't actually fit is a guard that doesn't actually protect.
Over-the-counter guards are made to fit nobody in particular. They're thick, they slip, they make it hard to breathe, and kids especially hate wearing them. So they end up at the bottom of the bag. That's not protection — that's a false sense of security.
At Brilliant Smiles, we take a precise impression of your teeth and send it to a professional dental lab. What comes back is a guard built specifically for your mouth — the right thickness for the sport, trimmed exactly to your gumline, and comfortable enough that wearing it doesn't feel like a chore.
For parents trying to protect a kid who's constantly losing or refusing to wear their guard, this is usually the moment things change. A guard that fits is a guard that gets used.
From First Visit to Full Protection
Getting a custom mouth guard is one of the simplest things we do — here's exactly what to expect.
Visit 1
Impressions Taken
Dr. Deshpande takes precise impressions of your teeth — a comfortable, quick process that takes just a few minutes. We discuss the sport and level of activity to determine the right guard thickness.
1–2 Weeks
Lab Fabrication
Your impressions go to a professional dental lab where your guard is fabricated to exact specifications — the right material, the right fit, trimmed precisely to your bite.
Visit 2
Fitting and Adjustments
You come in to pick up your finished guard. Dr. Deshpande checks the fit, makes any minor adjustments, and walks you through how to care for it so it lasts.
Ongoing
Protected Every Season
Wear your guard every practice and game with confidence. We recommend bringing it to your annual checkup so we can assess fit as teeth shift or grow — especially important for younger athletes.
Visit 1
Impressions Taken
Dr. Deshpande takes precise impressions of your teeth — a comfortable, quick process that takes just a few minutes. We discuss the sport and level of activity to determine the right guard thickness.
1–2 Weeks
Lab Fabrication
Your impressions go to a professional dental lab where your guard is fabricated to exact specifications — the right material, the right fit, trimmed precisely to your bite.
Visit 2
Fitting and Adjustments
You come in to pick up your finished guard. Dr. Deshpande checks the fit, makes any minor adjustments, and walks you through how to care for it so it lasts.
Ongoing
Protected Every Season
Wear your guard every practice and game with confidence. We recommend bringing it to your annual checkup so we can assess fit as teeth shift or grow — especially important for younger athletes.
Getting Your Guard in 3 Simple Steps
We handle all the complexity — your only job is showing up for two short appointments.
Book Your Impression Appointment
Schedule a same-week appointment at a time that works for you — including evenings and Saturdays. The first visit takes under an hour.
We Handle the Lab Work
Your impressions go to a professional dental lab. Within one to two weeks, your custom guard is fabricated, fitted, and ready — no follow-up needed from you in between.
Pick Up and Play Protected
Come in for a quick fit check, and you leave with a guard that's built for your mouth. Comfortable, secure, and ready for the season.
What Kenilworth Families Are Saying
Hear from patients and parents who came in skeptical and left with a guard they actually use.
“Dr. Deshpande and her team made me feel completely at ease during my Invisalign consultation. I'm three months in and already seeing amazing results. The entire process has been smooth from start to finish.”
“I had been putting off getting a dental implant for years because I was nervous. Turns out the procedure was way easier than I expected. The implant looks and feels exactly like my real tooth. Highly recommend this practice.”
“The Zoom whitening was incredible — my teeth went from yellowed to bright white in about an hour. The staff was so friendly and professional. I've already recommended Brilliant Smiles to all my friends.”
Procedures That Complement Your Treatment
Dental Exam & X-Rays
Comprehensive exams with low-dose digital X-rays catch problems early when they're simplest and least costly to treat.
Learn more
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing and flossing alone can't reach.
Learn more
Sealants & Fluoride
Dental sealants and fluoride treatments provide an extra shield against cavities for kids and adults alike.
Learn moreQuestions We Hear About Mouth Guards
Why can't my child just use a store-bought mouth guard from the sporting goods store?
Over-the-counter guards are better than nothing, but they're bulky, uncomfortable, and often don't fit well enough to stay in place during contact — which means kids pull them out mid-game. A custom-fitted guard from our office is made from precise impressions of your child's teeth, so it fits securely, allows normal breathing and speaking, and actually gets worn. Compliance is the whole point.
What sports actually require a mouth guard?
Any sport with a risk of contact or impact — football, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, and martial arts are among the most common. But even non-contact sports like gymnastics or skateboarding carry a fall risk that can result in a knocked-out or broken tooth. If there's any chance of impact to the face, a guard is worth having.
How long does it take to get a custom mouth guard made?
The appointment to take impressions takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The guard is fabricated from those impressions and is typically ready within a week or two. If you have a tournament or season coming up, just let us know the timeline and we'll do our best to work around it — we offer same-week appointments and flexible scheduling.
Do mouth guards need to be replaced?
Yes — they wear down over time with use and should be replaced each season, or sooner if the fit changes significantly. For kids and teens whose mouths are still growing, annual replacement is especially important to make sure the guard still fits correctly and offers proper protection.
Does insurance cover custom mouth guards?
Coverage varies — some plans include custom athletic guards, others don't. We accept most major dental plans and will check your specific benefits before your appointment. Either way, the cost of a custom guard is modest compared to the cost of repairing a chipped or knocked-out tooth.
The impression takes maybe five minutes. What it gives you is a guard that actually stays in — and a kid who actually wears it. That's worth a lot more than anything off the shelf.
Dr. Sonal Deshpande, DDS
Brilliant Smiles · Kenilworth, NJ
A mouth guard only works if it's worn — and kids and adults both resist wearing something bulky or uncomfortable. Dr. Deshpande's approach is straightforward: take a precise impression, get the thickness right for the sport, and make sure the fit is checked before you leave. It sounds simple because it is.
A Guard That Fits Changes Everything
Getting fitted takes less than an hour, and your custom guard will be ready within two weeks — before the next game, not after the injury.
Your fitting appointment includes impressions, a quick review of your sport and activity level, and a conversation about what to expect at pickup. When you return for your second visit, Dr. Deshpande checks the fit personally and makes any adjustments before you leave. Most major insurance plans cover part or all of the cost.