What are Spark clear aligners?
Spark is a clear aligner system. Like Invisalign, it works through a series of removable transparent trays, each shaped slightly differently from the last, worn in sequence until your teeth reach the planned position. There are no brackets and no wires.
What separates Spark from other aligner systems is mainly the material and the way the trays are trimmed. The plastic is more transparent than most and holds that clarity through wear, so the trays stay discreet rather than clouding over after a few days. The edges are polished and cut along the gum line rather than straight across it, which makes them sit more comfortably against the gum and show less at the tooth margin.
We offer Spark alongside Invisalign because no single system is right for every case. Which one we recommend depends on your teeth, not on the brand.
Aligners in general do not suit everyone. Certain rotations, some extraction cases and some bite corrections are handled more predictably by fixed braces. If that is true of your teeth we will tell you at the consultation rather than after you have started.
Book a consultation at our Ballinteer Road clinic.
What Spark treatment involves
We start with a digital scan of your teeth using our iTero scanner, which takes a few minutes and replaces the old impression trays. That scan is used to plan every movement in the sequence, so you can see the projected result before deciding whether to go ahead.
- Each tray is worn for roughly one to two weeks before you move to the next.
- Aim for about 22 hours a day. They come out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush.
- Small tooth-coloured attachments are bonded to some teeth to give the trays something to grip for harder movements.
- Review appointments at our Dundrum clinic are usually every eight to ten weeks.
- Treatment length varies with the case, commonly somewhere between six and eighteen months.
- Retainers afterwards are not optional. Teeth move back without them.
Wear time decides the outcome. The trays only work while they are in your mouth, and a case that should take ten months will take considerably longer if they spend their evenings in a pocket.
Book a consultation at our Dublin 16 clinic.
What do Spark aligners cost?
Clear aligners generally cost more than fixed metal braces, and within aligner treatment the fee tracks how many trays your case needs. A short course to correct mild crowding is a smaller piece of work than a full bite correction, so we quote only after examining your teeth.
At your consultation you will get a written treatment plan and a firm figure. The fee is all inclusive: every tray, all appointments, any refinement trays needed at the end, and your first set of retainers.
Payment can be spread monthly, interest free, over the course of treatment, or paid in full at the start for a 5% discount. Orthodontic treatment is tax deductible at 20% and we will provide your completed MED 2 form.
Book a consultation at our Dundrum clinic.
The Process
A proper look at your teeth, bite and jaws, and a conversation about what is actually bothering you. We take your dental and medical history, examine you, and take whatever records are needed, which may include X-rays, photographs and a digital scan with our iTero.
You leave knowing what we have found and what the realistic options are, including leaving things alone where that is the right answer.
We review the X-rays, photographs and scan alongside the examination findings and put together a plan specific to you. It sets out the appliance we recommend, how long treatment should take, the fee, and any preparatory work needed first.
This is a two-way appointment. We go through the alternatives, including doing nothing, and answer whatever you want to ask before you decide anything.
Anything that needs sorting before treatment starts. Usually that means a dental cleaning and dealing with existing decay or gum disease with your own dentist, since moving teeth in an unhealthy mouth makes matters worse.
In some cases it also means creating space, either by reducing the width of teeth very slightly or, where crowding is severe, by removing a tooth.
Small tooth-coloured attachments are bonded to some teeth to give the trays something to grip, and you are given your first set of aligners. It takes around twenty minutes and is painless.
We go through wear time, cleaning, and what to do if a tray is lost or damaged before you leave.
Reviews every eight to ten weeks to check the teeth are tracking to the plan. The appointments are short.
Towards the end, most cases need a set of refinement aligners to finish the detail. That is normal rather than a sign anything has gone wrong, and it is included in your fee.
The composite attachments are carefully polished off the teeth, which usually takes half an hour or so and is painless.
We normally place a fine fixed retainer behind the upper and lower front teeth at this appointment, and provide clear retainers to be worn at night.
Teeth drift back towards where they started if nothing holds them, so retainers are the final stage of treatment rather than an optional extra. Most patients wear a clear retainer at night long term, often alongside a fine wire bonded behind the front teeth.
Retainer checks are included for a year after the braces come off. There is more on our retainers page.
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.
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."
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