SPARK Clear Aligners

Ortodoncie Zlín offers SPARK clear aligner treatment — a fully transparent, removable orthodontic system made by Ormco that straightens teeth without fixed metal or ceramic brackets. SPARK aligners are custom-manufactured from TruGEN crystal-clear material, giving them superior optical transparency compared to other aligner brands and minimising staining. The treatment is planned using digital intraoral scanning and CBCT imaging, with 3D printing used in the workflow. MUDr. Pavel Michalík oversees all treatment, and the practice is equipped with the specialist technology needed for accurate, predictable aligner outcomes.

SPARK is an advanced clear aligner system developed by Ormco (a leading orthodontic manufacturer) as a clinically sophisticated alternative to Invisalign. The system uses TruGEN material — a proprietary high-clarity thermoplastic with greater stiffness and optical clarity than standard PETG aligners — and features SmartForce Aligner Staging technology for precise tooth movement sequencing. **Why SPARK at Ortodoncie Zlín:** MUDr. Pavel Michalík has chosen SPARK as the clear aligner platform for the practice, citing it as 'the most comfortable treatment method using invisible SPARK film splints.' The practice's investment in an intraoral scanner eliminates traditional dental impressions — instead, a 3D digital scan captures the exact tooth geometry required for aligner fabrication. CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) imaging provides three-dimensional bone and root data, enabling more accurate tooth movement planning — particularly important for complex cases involving significant rotations, large overjet corrections, or patients with challenging root angulations. **Treatment process:** 1. Initial consultation — clinical examination, discussion of treatment goals and complexity 2. Digital records — intraoral scan, photographs, and CBCT imaging 3. Treatment plan — 3D simulation of the projected tooth movement sequence (ClinCheck-equivalent for SPARK: SmartStage technology) 4. Aligner fabrication — trays manufactured to the confirmed plan 5. Fitting appointment — aligners delivered, attachments bonded to teeth if required 6. Progress appointments — typically every 6–8 weeks, new aligner sets provided 7. Refinement (if needed) — additional trays to fine-tune final tooth positions 8. Retention — fixed or removable retainers to maintain the result long-term **SPARK material advantages:** TruGEN crystal-clear material resists yellowing and staining better than standard aligner plastics, which is significant for Czech patients who consume coffee, tea, and wine regularly. The material also delivers consistent force levels throughout each aligner's wear cycle, potentially reducing the risk of stalling. **Wearing protocol:** Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day, removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. Each aligner tray is typically worn for 1–2 weeks before advancing to the next in the series. **Treatment duration:** Mild to moderate cases: 6–18 months. Complex full-arch corrections: 18–30+ months. The total number of trays determines duration and cost. **Technology at this clinic supporting aligner outcomes:** - Intraoral scanner: digital impressions (no physical moulds, more accurate, immediately shareable digitally) - CBCT device: 3D bone and root imaging for safer, more precise tooth movement - 3D printer: in-house models for treatment verification and anchorage devices **Retention:** After active treatment, retainers are essential to prevent relapse — teeth have a natural tendency to return toward their original position, driven by periodontal ligament memory and soft tissue pressure. Fixed lingual retainers (bonded to the back of the front teeth) and/or removable retainers are provided at completion.