What’s new with Spark?

Explore new releases for improving your workflow and enhancing your patients’ experience

Spark R18.0 is here

The R18.0 release introduces new capabilities designed to improve efficiency, expand automation, and enhance the treatment planning experience across the Spark ecosystem.

Approver Quick Setup

StageRx Automation

Design the entire case with Approver Quick Setup and the updated StageRx Automation tools! These tools are available exclusively for StageRx users

Updated Recalculate Functionality

Both T2 and staging are now calculated based on the selected StageRx protocol or command blocks, through a simplified workflow
Doctors can automate T2 tooth alignment and generate staging for the entire case by using the Recalculate button
Once the StageRx protocol or command blocks have been chosen, selecting Recalculate will automatically align the final tooth position and create staging for the entire case
When there are no StageRx blocks selected, the T2 is calculated based on Rx and linear staging is applied

Note: For additional support or to learn more about the workflow, please schedule a consultation with the Clinical Support Team in your region

Approver Quick Setup

Trimline Adjustment

Terminal Molar Trimming

Doctors can now adjust the aligner trimline at the terminal molars in Approver Web during the pre-submission Approver Quick Setup step
The terminal molar trimline options can be accessed in the tooth properties panel, once the tooth has been selected
If the molar contains a Posterior Bite Turbo (PBT) and terminal molar trimming is selected, the size of the bite turbo will be adjusted according to the trimline selection and Real Time Approval will be available
If any other auxiliary (non-PBT) is placed on a tooth that terminal molar trimming is selected, Real Time Approval will not be available (Submit only)

Approver Quick Setup

Bite Setting

Adjustable Bite Set

Doctors can edit the initial bite set in Approver Web, when the 3D model is positioned at Stage 0 (T1)
Available for Approver Quick Setup and Pending Approval cases, exclusively in Approver Web!

Approver Quick Setup

Tooth Editing Properties

Auxiliary Stages

Modifying both the From and To values is supported for Auxiliaries’ Stages during the Approver Quick Setup step

Lock Tooth

Now available for AQS cases
Available in the Tooth Properties and TMT (T2 Stage only)

Approver Quick Setup

Case Upload

Approver Quick Setup Case Upload Options

Doctors are now able to clearly specify what level of design services they want their technician to perform for their Approver Quick Setup case
These options can be selected when the case setup is uploaded using the ‘Upload to the Cloud’ button
These options help to ensure that the case is designed according to the Doctor’s specifications

Approver Quick Setup

Scanner Support

DEXIS™ Intraoral Scans

Approver Quick Setup now supports DEXIS scanners
Doctors can initiate Approver Quick Setup cases with intraoral scans from their integrated DEXIS device
Please follow the DEXIS Scanner Integration Guide to link the Spark DTX account to the DEXIS device

Spark Approver Web

Previous IPR Records

View IPR That has been Prescribed in Past Treatments

For Refinement cases, doctors can review the cumulative value of all the interproximal reductions (IPRs) that have been prescribed in the previous Primary or Refinement cases
Cumulative IPR and current IPR values are displayed once the IPR feature is activated
The Previous IPR values will be calculated based on the Rx information provided in DTX during case submission:
- All recommended IPR was completed– all the IPRs will be calculated & displayed in Approver Web
- No IPR was performed – no IPRs will be displayed
- IPR was performed until stage – IPRs planned through a specified stage will be calculated
The maximum cumulative amount of IPR that can be prescribed in the software is 0.5 mm
This feature is available exclusively in Approver Web!

*This feature is currently not available for Spark on-Demand Refinement cases, or for pre-submission Approver Quick Setup cases

Spark Approver Web

Compare Model Tool

Compare Refinement vs. Primary Treatment

The Compare Model Tool now supports the ability to compare treatment plans between the Primary and Refinement orders within the same Approver Web workspace
Use the download arrow to initiate loading a previous treatment plan
- Currently only 2 historical treatment plans can be downloaded in the same browser window (1 current case, 2 previous cases)
- Once this limit is reached, the ‘Download’ button is no longer available for additional treatment plans
- If needed, additional treatment plans can be opened in a separate browser tab using ‘Open in a new tab’ button
When comparing a historical case to the current case while using the Compare Model tool, the following features are not currently available:
- Photos, tooth movement table, Rx, model synchronization
Exclusively in Approver Web!

Spark Approver Web

Tooth Properties Panel

Editable Tooth Properties

The tooth properties panel now supports incremental editing of the tooth position in Approver Web!
This feature’s functionality aligns with the feature that exists in Approver Desktop

Note: New Bolton Lines Calculation will be applied to all cases that are submitted to Ormco after the R18 software release (October 31, 2026)

Spark Approver Web

Bolton Analysis

Enhanced Bolton Lines Calculation Algorithm

Bolton Lines: The Bolton lines are now connected to the centers of the contact points of neighboring teeth- improving consistency, continuity and precision of the lines
Tooth Width Calculation: Tooth widths are determined as the length of the projection onto the occlusal plane
Improved Calculations: Due to the updated tooth width calculation method, accuracy the Anterior and Overall Bolton ratios have been enhanced
Available in Approver Web and Approver Desktop

Spark DTX Web Portal

New DTX Layout & Interface

Usability Improvements for the New DTX UI/UX:

Patient Card: Compare photos or scans from previous orders side by side for the same patient
Patient Notes: Enhanced note management- Doctors can add, edit, and remove notes directly from the patient card
Treatment History: View prescriptions from previous patient orders within the Treatment History section
Patients View: Introduced filtering capabilities, which was not available in the initial release.

Spark DTX Web Portal

iTero Direct Transfer

Enhanced Spark to iTero Scan Connection & Selection

Doctors can now connect their own iTero account(s) in Spark DTX, using their iTero license, scan ID, and scan date; faster setup and a more flexible solution
Automatic scan retrieval- scans are matched automatically by patient name and can also be adjusted using the order ID
Enhanced scan selection capabilities- choose scans from a list of available scans within the connected iTero account
Preview and manage scans before case submission- with the ability to view, delete and replace scans

Spark StageRx

3D Controls

StageRx 3D Controls

Doctors can adjust the teeth positions within the intermediate stages using the StageRx 3D controls
After editing the tooth position, the case’s staging is automatically adjusted (recalculated)
Open the command properties to access the 3D controls for StageRx
Available controls:
Torque- Constrict, Expand, Procline/ Retrocline, Protrude/ Retract
Leveling- Intrude/Extrude

Spark StageRx

Protocol Adjustments – Pending Approval Cases

Pending Approval Cases- Recalculate Staging & Final Position

Doctors now have the ability to adjust their StageRx instructions, protocols, or final positions (T2) for cases that are in Pending Approval status
When StageRx blocks or the properties are adjusted, T2 (final position) and staging are recalculated according to the StageRx instructions
If the final position (T2) is adjusted manually using the 3D controls and the StageRx commands are not changed, only the case’s staging is recalculated
This functionality is available for Approver Quick Setup (pre-submission) and Pending Approval cases

Spark StageRx

Animated Tour – Release Updates

Stay up to date with the new Animated Tour with Release Updates

Highlight release-specific updates
Tour menu – Clicking the tour button opens a menu with two items. “Release updates“ and StageRx tour
The tour can be disabled on the final slide of the tour

Spark Products

Staging and Step Synchronization

Always stay in Sync with Staging and treatment planning Step

While moving the stage Slider a corresponding step will get highlighted
Clicking on a step moves the stage slider to the last stage corresponding to this step
Hovering on the step displays a tooltip with the starting and ending stages for that step

Spark StageRx

StageRx: Compare Mode

Compare your StageRx edits with the Compare Mode Feature

Compare different revisions of StageRx instructions within a current order
Current Revision (i.e. CR) v/s Previous Revision (i.e. initial submission)
The difference in revision will be displayed with (+) or (-) symbol next to the command block

Ormco Digital Bonding

New bracket options

Twin Bracket Expansion

Symetri- .018 Slot Brackets
Accent Mini- .018 Tubes
New options for Mini Diamond, Mini Twin, Orthos, and Ti-Orthos

New Sample Cases Available

Symetri Upper and Mini Diamond Lower
Ti-Orthos
Damon Clear

Symetri .018

Accent Mini .018

Visualize the new bracket systems with expanded sample cases

R18.0: MKT-26-1458