
Custom Online Labs (JS Dental, Sentinel) vs Reviv: Who Should Pick What and When?
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Shopping for a Mouthguard? You’ve Got 2 Real Options
If you’re dealing with:
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TMJ pain
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Jaw clenching or grinding
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Poor sleep
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Tension headaches
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Snoring or mouth breathing
You’re probably considering either:
A) Custom-fit night guards from online labs like JS Dental or Sentinel
B) A posture-based jaw solution like the Reviv Mouthguard
But which is better?
Which is more effective?
And which is actually designed for your symptoms?
This post compares them head-to-head—not just features, but use cases—so you can finally make the right choice.
What Are Online Lab Mouthguards?
Labs like JS Dental Lab, Sentinel Mouthguards, and Pro Teeth Guard offer:
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Custom guards made from your at-home dental impression
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Shipped to you without a dentist visit
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Options for soft, hard, dual-laminate, upper or lower guards
They focus on:
✅ Protecting teeth from grinding
✅ Lasting 1–3 years
✅ Custom comfort
💸 Prices range from $130–$300+ depending on thickness and material
What Is the Reviv Mouthguard?
Reviv is not just a mouthguard.
It’s a biomechanically engineered oral appliance designed for:
✅ Jaw decompression
✅ Postural reset
✅ Tongue and nasal breathing support
✅ TMJ tension relief
✅ Improved sleep quality
💸 Flat price: $89–$129, molded at home in minutes.
TL;DR — Core Difference
Feature |
Online Labs (JS/Sentinel) |
Reviv Mouthguard |
Goal |
Protect teeth from wear |
Relax jaw + correct posture |
Focus |
Grinding |
TMJ relief + alignment |
Price |
$130–$300+ |
$89–$129 |
Custom Mold? |
Yes (mail-in kit) |
Yes (DIY) |
Breathability |
❌ |
✅ |
Nasal support |
❌ |
✅ |
Tongue posture support |
❌ |
✅ |
Sleep-friendly? |
😬 varies |
😴 optimized |
Recommended for posture? |
❌ |
✅✅✅ |
Use Case #1: You Grind Like a Bulldozer
If you're a heavy grinder who destroys night guards in under 3 months:
✅ Go with Sentinel or JS Dental Lab
They offer thicker dual-laminate guards built to handle constant pressure.
🚫 But don’t expect them to fix your jaw tension, posture, or breathing.
Use Case #2: You Wake Up With Jaw Tension or Headaches
This is where Reviv dominates.
You don’t need thickness—you need decompression and neuromuscular reset.
Reviv:
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Supports the aesthetic rest position
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Relieves muscle tension without locking the jaw
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Prevents clenching reflex by stopping back-to-front bite pressure
👉 Related: The Aesthetic Rest Position: A Dentist‑Backed Way to Relax Your Face at Night
Use Case #3: You Want a Guard That Doesn’t Feel Like a Brick
Custom lab guards are precise—but they’re still thick.
Many people find them:
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Too bulky to sleep with
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Annoying to speak with
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Difficult to breathe around
Reviv is ultra-thin, minimal-contact, and designed for all-night comfort—even for side sleepers and mouth-tapers.
Use Case #4: You Care About Facial Symmetry and Posture
If you’re mewing, looksmaxxing, or retraining oral posture...
Custom lab guards aren’t built for that.
They focus on bite protection, not alignment.
Reviv is the only guard designed to:
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Train your tongue to stay suctioned to the palate
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Keep your jaw in a slightly forward rest position
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Promote lips-closed, nasal breathing during sleep
👉 Bonus read: How Jaw Alignment Impacts Sleep
Use Case #5: You’re Not Ready to Drop $300+
Online custom guards are affordable compared to dentists—but still cost 2–3x more than Reviv.
If you want:
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A therapeutic solution for jaw tension
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Sleep optimization
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A reversible, test-it-yourself option
👉 Start with Reviv and see how your body responds.
Many users don’t need anything else.
Summary: Who Should Pick What?
Situation |
Pick This |
You grind hard, break guards |
Sentinel or JS Dental |
You want to reduce TMJ pain |
Reviv |
You want to fix posture/mewing |
Reviv |
You snore or mouth-breathe |
Reviv |
You need a short-term test guard |
Reviv |
You want a multi-year custom-built protector |
Sentinel/JS |
You care more about tension relief than tooth damage |
Reviv |
You wear mouth tape or nasal strips |
Reviv (compatible) |
FAQs
1. Is Reviv as durable as JS Dental Lab or Sentinel guards?
Not for extreme grinding. But for 90% of clenchers, it lasts 6–12 months with proper care.
2. Can I use Reviv and a lab guard together?
No. Pick one based on your goal. Reviv is about rest and relief, not just protection.
3. Can Reviv improve my facial symmetry?
Many users report improved balance and posture from better overnight jaw support.
4. Does Reviv require mailing in impressions?
Nope. You mold it at home in minutes—just hot water.
Final Word: Don’t Just Protect—Reset
If your only goal is to save your teeth from grinding:
➡️ Online lab guards like Sentinel and JS Dental are great.
But if you want to:
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Relax your jaw
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Sleep better
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Retrain your tongue and breathing
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Wake up without facial tension
👉 Reviv is your answer.
Affordable. Fast. Built for results.