Last updated: August 2026 | By: VerdictLab Editorial Team
A custom night guard costs a fraction of what a dentist may charge and typically provides a more precise fit than a boil-and-bite guard. The process is similar regardless of brand: you order an impression kit, make a mold of your teeth at home, mail it back, and receive a guard manufactured to your dental arch. Turnaround is typically 1–3 weeks.
For this guide, we’re focusing specifically on custom-lab night guards available through Amazon. At the time of our August 2026 review, Remi and enCore were the two options that met our inclusion criteria and were available through that purchasing channel.
That narrower scope lets us compare the two in more useful detail rather than padding the guide with products you can’t buy through the same retailer. For the OTC alternative, see: Best OTC Night Guard. For the head-to-head between custom and over-the-counter guards, see: Custom vs OTC Night Guard: Is Custom Worth It?
Quick Summary
- Best value for two guards: Remi Custom Night Guard — 2 guards included, 3 thickness options, FDA-cleared, and a 45-night fit guarantee.
- Best for material choice: enCore Custom Night Guard — Soft, Hybrid, Hard, and Ultra Thin options from a lab with 30+ years of experience; FDA-cleared and HSA/FSA eligible.
In This Guide
How the Custom Process Works
Every online dental lab follows the same basic workflow. You order a kit. Inside is a set of impression trays, two-part putty, and instructions. You mix the putty, press it into the tray, bite down for the required time, and let it set. The result is a negative impression of your teeth — similar in principle to an impression taken in a dental office, but self-administered.
You mail the impression back. A dental technician creates a model from your impression, then fabricates a guard to that model. Reputable labs review your impression before manufacturing and contact you if the mold isn’t clear enough to produce a reliable fit.
The finished guard generally arrives within a few weeks depending on shipping and lab turnaround. Most include a storage case and care instructions. Some labs also keep your impression or digital/model information on file for a period so replacement orders may not require starting from scratch.
The impression step is where the process can go wrong. If the putty doesn’t capture your teeth clearly, the guard won’t fit well. Labs that review the impression before manufacturing can catch problems before an incorrectly fitted guard is produced. Both Remi and enCore use an impression-review process.
What to Look for in a Custom Guard
Material type. Custom guards come in soft, hard, hybrid/dual-laminate, and thinner low-profile designs. The right choice depends on your grinding pattern, comfort preferences, dental condition, and professional advice — not on one material being universally “best.” For a deeper comparison, see: Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding (2026).
Guarantee and adjustment terms. A mail-order guard depends heavily on the quality of your impression and the final fit. A meaningful fit-adjustment or money-back period gives you recourse if the first guard doesn’t seat properly. Remi currently advertises a 45-night fit guarantee, while enCore offers a 30-day fit-adjustment period.
Impression review. Labs that review your impression before manufacturing can catch a poor mold before you’ve waited weeks for a guard that doesn’t fit. Both Remi and enCore include this step.
Impression storage. Keeping your impression or model on file can make replacements easier. Remi keeps impression information for active Club customers, while enCore states that impressions are stored for six months.
Price per guard. Don’t compare headline prices without checking how many guards you’re getting. Remi includes two guards in its standard custom package, while enCore packages generally contain one guard. Amazon pricing can change, so use the current Amazon listing rather than relying on an old price quoted in an article.
Remi Custom Night Guard
Amazon Price: Check current listing | Direct Reference Price: $149 one-time (2 guards) / $99 initial Remi Club order, with $89 replacement sets every 6 months | Material: Dual-laminate | Thickness: 1mm, 1.3mm, or 2mm | FDA: Cleared under 510(k) K251778 | Fit Guarantee: 45 nights | Available on: Amazon
Remi’s biggest practical advantage is that the standard package includes two custom guards. You can choose two uppers, two lowers, or one of each depending on the current ordering options. That gives you a spare or, where appropriate, the opportunity to find which arch is more comfortable.
The guard uses a dual-laminate construction, combining a firmer outer surface with a softer tooth-facing layer. Remi offers three thicknesses — 1mm, 1.3mm, and 2mm — so the guard can be matched more closely to comfort and grinding intensity rather than giving every customer the same thickness.
The impression process is well-supported. The kit includes the materials needed to take an at-home impression, and Remi reviews the impression before manufacturing. If the impression isn’t usable, the company can request another attempt rather than producing a guard from an unclear mold.
Remi Custom Night Guard is FDA-cleared as an over-the-counter mouthguard under 510(k) K251778. FDA clearance applies to the device and its intended use; it should not be interpreted as an endorsement that the product is clinically superior to competing guards.
The subscription model is worth understanding before choosing it. Remi currently lists the Club at $99 for the initial two-guard order, with replacement sets priced at $89 every six months. The one-time direct purchase is currently listed at $149 for two guards. Those direct prices are useful for context, but Amazon pricing can differ and should be checked on the current listing.
Whether the subscription makes sense depends on how quickly you wear through a guard. Someone who needs frequent replacements may value automatic remakes and stored impressions more than someone whose guard lasts much longer.
The practical trade-off is choice. Remi gives you multiple thicknesses, but the core construction remains dual-laminate. If you specifically want a fully hard, fully soft, or ultra-thin guard, enCore offers more material-style options.
Strengths: 2 guards per standard order; 3 thickness options; FDA-cleared; impression review; 45-night fit guarantee; replacement/subscription option.
Weaknesses: Dual-laminate construction only; subscription isn’t automatically good value for people who replace guards infrequently; Amazon and direct pricing may differ.
enCore Custom Night Guard
Amazon Price: Check current listing | Direct Reference Price: approximately $119–$149 depending on type | Material: Soft, Hybrid, Hard, Ultra Thin | Lab: 30+ years of experience | FDA: Cleared under 510(k) K252004 | Fit Adjustment: 30 days | Impression Storage: 6 months | HSA/FSA: Eligible | Available on: Amazon
enCore’s biggest advantage is choice. It offers four distinct guard styles from the same dental lab: Soft, Hybrid, Hard, and Ultra Thin. That makes it easier to choose a construction that matches your priorities instead of choosing only between different thicknesses of one construction.
The Soft option prioritises flexibility and comfort. The Hybrid combines a softer inner layer with a harder exterior. The Hard option is designed for people who prefer a rigid appliance, while the Ultra Thin option has a lower profile and may also suit people who need a less bulky guard during waking hours.
The impression kit includes multiple tray sizes so you can choose the closest fit for your arch. enCore reviews impressions before manufacturing and can contact you if the mold needs to be retaken. The lab states that impressions are stored for six months, which can simplify a replacement during that window.
enCore states that its guards use BPA- and latex-free materials sourced from the U.S. and Germany. Its current fit policy allows adjustment requests within 30 days, and the company also provides a limited warranty. HSA/FSA eligibility is another useful advantage for customers whose plans allow reimbursement.
enCore Night Guard received FDA clearance under 510(k) K252004 in November 2025. As with Remi, FDA clearance means the product has gone through the applicable regulatory review for its intended use; it does not mean the FDA has ranked it above competing night guards.
Current direct-site reference pricing is roughly $119–$149 depending on guard type. Amazon pricing can be different and may change, so check the current listing rather than assuming the direct-site price applies to Amazon.
The trade-off is that you receive one guard rather than Remi’s two-guard standard package. On the other hand, enCore’s wider material range makes it the more flexible choice if you already know you want something specifically soft, hard, hybrid, or ultra-thin.
Strengths: 4 guard styles; 30+ years of lab experience; FDA-cleared; BPA/latex-free materials; impression review; 6-month impression storage; HSA/FSA eligible.
Weaknesses: 1 guard per standard order; choosing among four styles may be confusing if you don’t already know what you need; fit-adjustment window is 30 days.
Remi vs enCore Custom Night Guard Comparison
| Feature | Remi | enCore |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Price | Check current listing | Check current listing |
| Direct Reference Price | $149 one-time / $99 Club initial | ~$119–$149 |
| Guards per Standard Order | 2 | 1 |
| Guard Options | Dual-laminate in 3 thicknesses | Soft, Hybrid, Hard, Ultra Thin |
| FDA Clearance | K251778 | K252004 |
| Fit / Adjustment Period | 45-night fit guarantee | 30-day fit adjustment |
| Impression Review | Yes | Yes |
| Impression Storage | Available through Club/replacement program | 6 months |
| HSA/FSA | Check current eligibility / plan | Eligible |
| Best For | Two guards + thickness choice | Choice of material/style |
Pricing and terms were checked in August 2026 and can change. Amazon prices may differ from direct-site prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are custom night guards on Amazon real custom guards?
Yes. Remi and enCore use an at-home impression-kit-to-dental-lab process. The finished guard is manufactured from an impression of your teeth rather than being a pre-formed stock guard or a boil-and-bite product. Buying through Amazon changes the sales channel, not the basic custom-manufacturing process.
Why does this guide only compare Remi and enCore?
This guide is intentionally limited to custom-lab night guards available through Amazon at the time of our August 2026 review. Keeping the purchasing channel consistent makes the comparison clearer and avoids mixing Amazon products with direct-only services that use different ordering, pricing, shipping, and guarantee structures. Availability can change, so we’ll update the guide if additional suitable custom-lab options become available through Amazon.
Which custom guard type should I choose?
There isn’t a universal rule that everyone with light grinding needs soft material and everyone with heavy grinding needs hard material. Material choice depends on your grinding or clenching pattern, comfort, existing dental work, fit, and professional advice. As a rough practical guide, softer appliances prioritise comfort, hard appliances prioritise rigidity and wear resistance, and hybrid designs try to balance the two.
If you’re unsure which construction is appropriate, ask your dentist. Remi simplifies the choice by offering one dual-laminate construction in three thicknesses. enCore offers Soft, Hybrid, Hard, and Ultra Thin styles.
Which has the better fit guarantee: Remi or enCore?
Remi currently advertises a 45-night fit guarantee, while enCore accepts fit-adjustment requests within 30 days. Guarantee and warranty terms can change, so check the current terms before ordering.
How long does a custom night guard last?
There’s no reliable calendar that applies to every guard. Lifespan depends on the material, how heavily you grind, how well the guard fits, and how you care for it. Some guards need replacement relatively quickly; others remain usable for years. Replace or have the guard checked if you notice cracking, holes, significant wear, rough surfaces, or a change in fit.
For care instructions, see: How to Clean a Night Guard.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for a custom night guard?
Eligibility depends on the product and your specific HSA/FSA plan. enCore currently lists its night guards as HSA/FSA eligible. For any product, confirm eligibility with your plan administrator before relying on reimbursement.
Is a custom guard worth the extra cost over OTC?
For some people, yes — particularly when fit and long-term comfort are priorities. Custom guards generally provide a more precise fit because they’re fabricated from an impression of your teeth, while boil-and-bite guards are molded at home from a pre-formed appliance.
Whether that difference justifies the higher price depends on how often you wear the guard, your comfort sensitivity, your grinding pattern, and whether an OTC guard already fits you well. For the detailed comparison, see: Custom vs OTC Night Guard: Is Custom Worth It?.
Sources & References
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research — Bruxism
U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Remi Custom Night Guard, 510(k) K251778
U.S. Food & Drug Administration — enCore Night Guard, 510(k) K252004
Remi — Current Remi Club Pricing and Replacement Terms
enCore — Current Night Guard Types and Pricing
Choosing Between Them
If you want two custom guards in one standard order and prefer choosing thickness rather than material type, Remi is the more straightforward option. Its current lineup uses a dual-laminate construction in three thicknesses, and the device is FDA-cleared under K251778.
If you want more control over the construction of the guard itself, enCore is the more flexible choice. Soft, Hybrid, Hard, and Ultra Thin options give you more ways to match the appliance to your preferences, and enCore is FDA-cleared under K252004.
Don’t choose solely from the headline price. Remi normally includes two guards, while enCore generally includes one. Check the current Amazon price for each, then compare what you’re actually receiving, the material you want, and the fit/adjustment terms.
For the OTC alternative when custom isn’t in the budget, see: Best OTC Night Guard. For the full breakdown of all guard types, see: Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding (2026).