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Zendura A retainer
Zendura A retainers — high-performing rigid resin with superior crack resistance and stain clarity. Also suitable as a thin hard bruxism appliance.
Transforming smiles with science
The science behind Zendura A
Published testing from Zendura's manufacturer, alongside an independent peer-reviewed wear study, shows why Zendura A outlasts ordinary retainer plastics — it's tougher, more scratch-resistant, stays clearer and holds its fit for longer. Here's what that means in plain English, with sources below.
5×tougher than an Essix A+ retainer
2×more resistant to surface wear
10,000+flex cycles and it still fits
Toughness
It won't crack under pressure
Impact strength measures how much force the material soaks up before it fractures. Zendura A absorbs over five times the impact of a standard Essix A+ retainer — so it stands up to daily handling and grinding.
Higher is better ↑ · impact strength (J/mm) Wear resistance
The surface stays smooth
The Taber abrasion test rubs the material to see how much wears away. Zendura A loses the least of any plastic tested. A peer-reviewed 2023 study agreed, calling it “the most wear-resistant among the materials tested” under simulated night-time grinding.
Lower is better ↓ · weight lost to wear (mg) Clarity
It stays crystal clear
Soaked in coffee and mustard for 24 hours, Zendura A picked up far less colour than other retainer plastics — so it keeps that invisible look right through the wear period. The bars show the colour change (ΔE): the shorter, the clearer.
Lower is better ↓ · colour change ΔE after 24h Coffee Mustard
Lasting fit
It keeps its shape — and its fit
Every time a retainer flexes it loses a little “spring back”. Zendura A barely changes — drifting from just 16% to 23% across 10,000 flex cycles, so it keeps gripping the teeth. In the same test an Essix A+ retainer broke.
Lower is better ↓ · tensile hysteresis (%) vs flex cycles Zendura A (measured) Essix A+ (failed)
Source: Zendura A manufacturer brochure. Wear study: Grünheid & Bitner (2023), International Orthodontics 21(2), 100748. Essix, Duran, Taglus, Tru-Tain and Invisacryl are trademarks of their respective owners.
The range
More orthodontics
Explore the rest of the range — tap any appliance for its details.
01 
Essix retainer
Next-generation thermoformed Essix retainers — enhanced flexibility, exceptional clarity and a soft occlusion for patient comfort.
View details 03
Zendura FLX retainer
Zendura FLX — an elastomeric inner core for flexibility and a hard outer shell for grip. Handles rotation and extrusion, and protects against grinding.
View details 04 
Fixed retainer
A bonded fixed retainer wire bent to the tooth contours, supplied with a custom seating jig for precise chairside placement.
View details 05 
Retainer with pontic
A clear retainer with a pontic tooth to hide gaps after extraction — virtually invisible, with a natural look and pre-extraction options for same-day fitting.
View detailsEasy to work with
Two ways to send us a case
Scan or impression — whichever your practice prefers.
Post an impression
Alginate or silicone in a rigid tray with a bite registration — or ask about free collection.
Arrange collectionFAQ
Questions about the zendura a retainer
What is Zendura A made of?
Zendura A is a special-grade thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoformed into a clear, rigid retainer. That polyurethane chemistry is what gives it the crack resistance and stain clarity that ordinary PETG (Essix-type) plastics lack. We work with it in 0.625 mm, 0.76 mm and 1.02 mm gauges.
Zendura A or Zendura FLX — which should I choose?
Zendura A is a single rigid layer — the firmest hold, best for straightforward retention and light grinders. Zendura FLX is dual-layer, with a softer inner bonded to a hard outer for extra comfort and flex tolerance. We make both — tell us the case and we will steer you to the right one.
What is a Zendura A retainer?
Zendura A is a high-performance rigid resin retainer with superior crack resistance and stain clarity. It holds teeth firmly and can also double as a thin hard bruxism appliance.
Is Zendura better than Essix?
Zendura A is more rigid and more resistant to cracking and staining than standard Essix; Essix is softer and more flexible. See our comparison guide.
Can a Zendura A retainer protect against grinding?
Yes — its rigid resin makes it suitable as a thin hard bruxism appliance for light grinders, as well as a retainer.
Send us your first case
Open an account, request a price list, or just send a scan — we'll take it from there.