Spark vs Invisalign – Who is the top dog?

In recent years, both adult and adolescent patients have been flocking to their local orthodontists to fashion a treatment plan that combines the characteristics of brilliant aesthetics and comfort with superior biomechanical performance – the result, clear aligners!

However, when most people think of clear aligner therapy, Invisalign® is the first thing that comes to mind. And with good reason. After all, Invisalign® has been around for decades offering many outstanding results to patients and putting clear aligner orthodontics in the history books forever. With the pioneering movement of clear aligners by Invisalign®, there have also been several others in the market offering brilliant results, one of which is the Spark Aligner system.

We have established that aligners are the new gamechangers in orthodontic treatment. But since everyone has different needs and what works for one person may not do any good for another, how do you decide which clear aligner system would best suit your unique needs? Is Invisalign® the trusted companion you should hold on to or up-and-coming products like Spark™ the way to the future? Let’s take a moment to look at key differences between these two popular teeth-straightening options.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign was the company that spearheaded the clear aligner trend in orthodontics. Brought to life by the company Align Technology Inc., Invisalign® gained FDA approval in 1998 and since then has become a household name worldwide. In 2000, 75% of orthodontists in America were trained to use the Invisalign® system. It is one of the most popular brands in clear aligner treatment due to its long history of efficient products and satisfied customers. They make use of a series of clear aligners to gradually guide teeth into their desired or ideal positions.

Despite being one of the oldest companies in the market, Align continues to sharpen their products and introduce several cutting-edge innovations to support clear aligner therapy and bring oral health to a new level. They have introducted iTero technology for precision-based 3D intraoral scanning, ClinCheck® software to ensure proper mapping of the teeth, and SmartForce attachments to help aligners better reposition teeth. Align has also launched Invisalign® First, a treatment program for children starting as early as 6 years of age to assist in the Phase 1 of orthodontic treatment.

What is Spark™?

Spark™ aligners are one of the most discrete and sought-after aligners in the market today. Ormco, the company behind Spark™ aligners launched this aligner system to be entirely clinician-led which means that the treatment can only be provided by experienced and trained orthodontists in the dental office.

They work just like any other aligner system, by using a series of removable trays. However, they are thinner, more stain resistant, and supposedly more comfortable to wear than other aligners (more on this next). Ormco has made it known that Spark™ was developed with nearly 60 years of orthodontic knowledge and has been helpful in treating millions of patients worldwide.

Invisalign® vs Spark™

While both Invisalign® and Spark™ are specially made to move teeth gently into their new locations, they vary greatly in many aspects namely material and design. Here are some of the main differences between the two.

• Material

One of the most apparent differences between two brands of aligners is the formula by which it is created. Both the brands make use of patented clear material to fabricate their clear aligners. Invisalign® uses SmartTrack, a patented plastic material that is designed for durability and efficient tooth movements.

On the other hand, Spark™ aligners use TruGEN™, a new generation material that allows aligners to be thinner and far more resistant to stains than SmartTrack. Additionally, TruGEN™ is more transparent, making spark™ aligners more discreet than Invisalign®.

• Comfort and effectiveness

Due to the thinner nature of Spark™ aligners, they are deemed more comfortable to wear than other aligners, according to anecdotes shared by customers. When it comes to producing tooth movements and correcting malalignment, both aligner systems have the potential to give rise to outstanding results. However, as reported by many orthodontists who have extolled the TruGEN™ material, Spark™ aligners are believed to be better at moving teeth.

Which one is the top dog? – Invisalign® or Spark™?

It was believed that Spark™ reached USD 100 million in sales in November of 2021 alone. For a relatively new product, Spark™ is doing exceptionally well in winning over customers with its state-of-the-art technology.

However, as may be expected, Align Technology with its game-changer, Invisalign® continues to rule the market. In 2021, Align was able to nearly double its revenue for imaging systems and CAD/CAM services, reaching USD 705.5 million. Invisalign carries customers of 85.4% worldwide and 89.1% in the Americas, up from 84.0% in the comparable period in 2020.

In fact, Align shipped 2.5 million Invisalign cases in 2021, a year-over-year increase of 54.8%, and aligners earned the company a record USD3.2 billion during the year.

Takeaway

With its consistently high sales volume throughout the last decade, Align has been able to retain its crown as the number one leading players in the aligner market. With that being said, Spark™ aligners quickly gaining momentum and are already recognized as promising aligners for mild to moderate dental malalignment. Both of these brands offer clear, lightweight, and highly refined alternatives to traditional metal braces and are beloved by adults and teens alike.