We understand that there are a lot of confusing terms and brand names when it comes to retainers and dental products. Naturally, most people aren’t familiar with all the terminology, so we get a lot of questions from our customers. One of the most common questions that we get asked is about the difference between Essix and Essix Plus material. So, what exactly is the difference, and which one is right for you?
Is There Really a Difference Between Essix Materials?
Essix Original
Both the Essix and Essix Plus materials are made by the Essix Corporation. The Essix Corporation was the first to create clear thermoform retainers that are so popular today. The regular Essix material is their original product. It has been the standard material used for over twenty-five years of clear retainer manufacturing. It has a proven track record of making comfortable, highly-effective retainers. However, it has a few downsides. It can become brittle over time, making it prone to cracking. It also yellows over time. Most retainer materials have the same issues to some degree though, and the original material is still an excellent cost-effective retainer solution.
Essix Plus
The Essix Corporation released the Plus material in 2014. It was designed to solve the issues that customers had with their standard retainers. The main improvement made to the new Plus material was increasing the durability. This means that Plus retainers are less likely to crack or break. Cracking and breaking is the largest downside of any clear retainers, given their thin construction. The more durable Plus material is also great for people that both need a retainer and grind or clench their teeth at night.
Essix Plus retainers offered by SportingSmiles are more durable and less likely to crack over time. In addition, they work well as a night guard for those with mild to moderate bruxism, or teeth grinding.
Essix Plus retainers can replace teeth grinding guards for moderate teeth grinders. It is also more stain resistant. Over time all retainers will develop a yellow tint, even with proper care. This is less likely to happen with the Essix plus material. Finally, they also improved the clarity of the material. Plus is crystal clear, making it ideal if you have to wear your retainers during the day.
Both the original and the Essix Plus will do the same job and prevent your teeth from shifting. If you have a tendency to crack or break your retainers or grind your teeth at night, it is definitely worth investing in the Plus material. It will likely save you money in the long run. We have been selling the Plus material since 2015 and our customers have reported experiencing much less breakage and cracking. If you have any questions about picking the right retainer material for you, please let us know at 262-290-2396 or Contact Us HERE.
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