Compare appliances
Side-by-side comparisons of the materials and designs we make — so you can match the right appliance to the case at a glance. Jump to retainers, bruxism splints or snoreguards.
Clear retainers compared
Our three thermoformed clear retainers, side by side. All are made from a single-arch scan or impression.
| Feature | Essix | Zendura A | Zendura FLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Thermoformed Essix (PETG) | Rigid polyurethane | Dual-layer — soft inner, hard outer |
| Feel & rigidity | Flexible, soft occlusion | Firm and rigid | Flexible core with a hard shell |
| Crack & stain resistance | Standard | Superior | High |
| Also works as | — | Thin hard guard for light grinders | Some grinding protection |
| Best for | Comfortable everyday retention | Firm retention & light grinders | Seating over rotations/extrusions with a hard surface |
| Turnaround | 3 working days | 3 working days | 3 working days |
| Warranty | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
How to choose. Choose Essix for comfort and clarity, Zendura A for the firmest hold and best crack/stain resistance, and Zendura FLX when you need flex to seat the retainer plus a hard wearing surface.
Try the retainer picker →Also available: a fixed (bonded) retainer with a custom seating jig for permanent lingual retention, and a clear retainer with a pontic to mask a gap after an extraction (a transitional option, 1-month warranty).
Bruxism splints & nightguards compared
From the softest everyday guard to rigid splints and anterior deprogrammers — matched to grinding severity and the aim of treatment.
| Feature | Soft nightguard | Soft-hard | Extra-thickness | Hard (Michigan/Tanner) | B-Splint / DAR-AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Flexible soft EVA | Soft inner + hard outer | Harder-biased extra-thick dual laminate | Solid hard acrylic | Anterior midpoint contact splint |
| Grinding severity | Mild / occasional | Moderate | Severe | Severe | Clenching / TMD |
| Main aim | Comfort & compliance | Everyday tooth protection | Maximum protection + rigid surface | Even contact; jaw pain, headaches & TMD | Deprogram muscles; disengage the posteriors |
| Occlusal adjustment | No | No | Yes — chairside or in the lab | Yes | Anterior contact by design |
| Turnaround | 5 working days | 5 working days | 5 working days | 7 working days | 7 working days |
| Best for | First-time or sensitive patients | Regular grinders | Heavy grinders | TMD, headaches & jaw pain | TMJ clenching |
How to choose. Softer designs win on comfort and compliance; dual-laminate steps up protection; a hard Michigan/Tanner splint gives even, adjustable contact for TMD; and a B-Splint / DAR-AL deprogrammer targets clenching. A thin rigid Zendura A overlay is a low-profile wear-guard alternative.
Try the bruxism picker →Snoreguards compared
Mandibular advancement devices for snoring and mild sleep apnoea — the difference is mainly adjustability and build.
| Feature | Silensor-SL | MSi | Fused |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Connector-bar MAD | Adjustable MAD | Single-piece, fixed protrusion |
| Titratable (adjustable) | Yes | Yes — wide protrusive range | No — set position |
| Bruxism resistance | Moderate | High — robust build | Robust |
| Best for | Comfort & natural jaw movement | Durability, bruxism & titration | Simplicity & low maintenance |
| Turnaround | 7–10 working days | 7–10 working days | 7–10 working days |
How to choose. Pick Silensor-SL for comfort and natural movement, MSi where durability, bruxism-resistance and a wide adjustment range matter, and Fused for a simple set-and-forget device.
Try the snoreguard finder →Not sure which to prescribe?
Talk a case through with the technicians who'll make it — call us or send a scan and we'll advise.