Spark Clear AlignersRathfarnham
Spark clear aligners for Rathfarnham patients
Rathfarnham is within easy reach of our clinic on Ballinteer Road, and Spark is one of two aligner systems we offer alongside Invisalign. Which one suits you is a clinical question rather than a branding one, and we settle it after looking at your teeth.
Spark works the way any aligner system does: a series of clear removable trays, each shaped slightly differently from the last, worn in sequence until the teeth reach the planned position.
What distinguishes Spark
Mainly the material and the way the trays are trimmed. The plastic is more transparent than most and holds that clarity through wear rather than clouding after a few days. The edges are polished and cut along the gum line rather than straight across, which makes them more comfortable against the gum and less visible at the tooth margin.
The thing that decides your result is not the brand. It is wear time. Twenty-two hours a day gets you the outcome on the plan. Considerably less gets you a longer treatment and a worse one, and no aligner system changes that arithmetic.
There is more on our Spark aligners page, or book a consultation.
Parking & Public Transport
We are at 11 The Gables, Ballinteer Road, Dundrum, Dublin 16. The 74 bus runs from Rathfarnham across to Dundrum, and the Luas Green Line serves Dundrum and Balally.
For drivers, the Dundrum Town Centre car park is a short distance away. Directions and parking are on our location and parking page.
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The Process
This appointment is really about talking through your goals with one of our orthodontists. We'll likely also go over your dental and medical history, take a look at your teeth and jaw, and depending on what's needed, that might mean X-rays or impressions of your teeth to make models.
From there, the orthodontist looks over the X-rays, photos, and examination findings and puts together a plan specific to you — how your teeth need to move to get where they should be. You'll come away with an idea of how long treatment will take, what it'll cost, and whether any prep work needs to happen first.
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That might mean a dental cleaning, sorting out any cavities or other issues first, or in some cases extracting a tooth or two to make room for things to shift. Once that's all sorted, you're ready to move on to the next phase.
The orthodontist attaches small bumps to your teeth that help the aligners grip properly, then hands over your first set. We'll check the fit there and then, and walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
You'll come in for progress checks fairly regularly — usually every 8 to 10 weeks — where the orthodontist checks how the aligners are fitting and lets you know if it's time to order the next set.
Taking everything off is usually the easy part — the attachments and wires come out, any leftover adhesive gets cleaned away, and it's over quickly with little to no discomfort.
Once your braces come off, a retainer is what keeps your teeth from drifting back. Most patients wear one full time for a while, then switch to nights only — that's what keeps everything holding in place long-term. Read more here.
Read what our patients say about us
"I went to so many dentists about my bite problem only to be dismissed. Dr Adriana and her team gave me a plan, I followed it, and two and a half years later I can smile, eat and bite properly."
"Two of my daughters had braces fitted by the lovely Dr. Katherine Condren. I would highly recommend her services, she was so good with my daughters, we are extremely happy with the service received and they both have beautiful smiles now."
"My bonded retainer came loose and several other practices turned me away. Dundrum Orthodontics saw me straight away and had it fixed within minutes."
"Dr Joseph O’Connor is such a skilled orthodontist. His kindness and attention to detail is outstanding. He takes the time to explain everything and makes you feel very comfortable. Could not recommend him more."
"I got Invisalign here in my forties and could not be happier. My daughter had braces with them a few years ago, and my sister brought her daughter on my recommendation. Exceptional service and amazing results."
"Joseph is a kind, compassionate and skilled orthodontist. He has a beautiful patient manner and his attention to detail is second to none. Highly recommend."
"Coming to the end of my braces and I couldn't be happier. The whole team are friendly and professional, and they take their time to make sure the end result is exactly what you want."
"I had a great experience with Dr O’Connor and his team. Booking was simple and they were very friendly & efficient throughout. Would highly recommended."
"My son got his braces off this morning and I am delighted with the result. Over two years, any worries we had were sorted and every question answered, always with a friendly and professional approach."
"Amazing service, highly professional. Dr O'Connor was really kind and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!"
"Dr O'Connor is a brilliant orthodontist, the consultation was thorough and he's easy to talk to."
"Extremely happy with the outcome after braces, great attention to detail! Highly recommend."
"A long and difficult process was made easy by their care and attention. The attention to detail and professionalism was second to none."
"The staff are extremely skilled as well as friendly and easy to talk to. I am very happy with my results and with how the whole process was handled."
Book a Consultation
Discuss your goals with one of our specialist orthodontists to find out what treatment option suits you best.
FAQs
Both straighten teeth the same way, through a sequence of clear removable trays, and both are planned and supervised by us in exactly the same manner.
Spark's differences are in the material, which holds its clarity through wear rather than clouding, and the trimline, which follows the gum rather than cutting straight across the tooth. That makes the trays sit more comfortably and show less at the margin.
Which we recommend depends on your teeth, not on the brand. More on our Spark page.
Every one to two weeks, depending on your plan. Each tray is shaped slightly differently from the last, so moving through the sequence is what moves your teeth.
We will tell you your exact interval at the fitting appointment. Changing early does not speed anything up, since the previous movement needs time to settle in bone.
Around twenty-two hours a day, out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush.
Total treatment length varies with the case, commonly six to eighteen months. Retainers follow afterwards and are not optional.
Straight away, though you will not see it straight away. Each tray starts applying pressure the moment it goes in, and the first sign is usually that the tray feels tight for a day or two.
Visible change typically shows after the first few trays, so six to eight weeks in. Front teeth tend to move sooner than back teeth, which is why progress often looks faster at the start.
Water only while the trays are in. Anything else, tea, coffee, juice or fizzy drinks, means taking them out first.
The reason is that liquid gets trapped under the plastic and sits against the enamel rather than being washed away, so sugar and acid do more damage than they otherwise would. Hot drinks can also distort the trays.
Rinse and brush before putting them back in.
Not during treatment, and it is worth waiting. Whitening while the aligners are in means the tooth-coloured attachments bonded to some teeth shield the enamel underneath, so you can end up with patches once they come off.
The sensible sequence is to finish treatment, have the attachments removed, then whiten if you want to. Your retainers can often double as whitening trays afterwards, which your dentist can advise on.
Yes, and this applies to every orthodontic treatment rather than Spark in particular. Teeth drift back towards where they started if nothing holds them.
Most patients finish with a clear retainer worn at night long term, sometimes alongside a fine wire bonded behind the front teeth. Skipping retainers is the single most common reason people end up needing treatment twice.
Begin Your Journey
Thinking about it? Book your first consultation and come see us — we'll take it from there.
