Join me for a look into a recent digital innovation within
orthodontics, Lightforce. I explore how the 3D printed
labial bracket system works, the features and what the proposed advantages. Recent
research
exploring the advantages of Lightforce is discussed as well as my comparison to
other digital innovations within orthodontic appliances.

What is Lightforce

·     
Manufacturing: 3D printed brackets Cad/Cam

·     
Material: ceramic polycrystalline labial

·     
Planning: Digital planning using Lightplan,
visualisation of the outcome, alter both tooth position and bracket position,
individualise prescription per bracket as a result of planned movements

·     
Flexibility in positioning:  Brackets do not have to be in the Facial Axis
of the Clinical Crown, through altering the base thickness, the resulting
moment can be achieved through the center of resistance

·     
Torque expression is  independent of the vertical position,  for the same reasons

·     
0.018", 0.020", and 0.022",
including combinations

Stages

1.       
Submit records

2.       
Digital planning using lightplan, visualisation
of the outcome, 

3.       
Case approval

4.       
Indirect bonding tray – light-Tray, with brackets
in situ

Other advantages

·     
Accuracy of 3D printed slot

·     
Adapted base, less adhesive

·     
Minitubes, biteturbos

What are the proposed advantages and claims around Lightforce
with evidence

1.       
Shorter duration of treatment due to precision

a.       
JCO 2024 Wheeler 2024 Retropsectice study, 900 lightforces
cases and over 300 conventional cases,  30%
shorter and 30% fewer appointments. significant floors, with a lack of outcome
measure and matching of controls

Proposed advantages and claims around Lightforce ithout
evidence

2.       
Reduced complications white spot lesions, dehiscences
and root resorption as relate to duration

3.       
Remove issue of compliance or biomechanics as limitations
to treatment outcomes  

4.       
Saving Doctors time and money, remove
repositions

5.       
Reduce or eliminate wire bends

What are my thoughts?

·     
Labial fixed appliances are catching up with
aligners and lingual appliances

·     
New possibilities of varying biomechanics, slot
size, bracket position and customised prescription

·     
Presence of Lighforce features within other
appliances:

o  
Customised brackets Insignia / Incognito

o  
Digital planning: aligners, Insignia

·     
No customisation of archwires with Lightforce

·     
Not sure how Lightforce would reduce appointment
intervals, ligation is conventional ligation through elastomeric modules, with
plastic deformation

Papers and videos on Lightforce

https://www.jco-online.com/media/42415/2023_09_500_waldman.pdf

JCO retrospective study

https://www.jco-online.com/media/43897/2024_05_273_wheeler.pdf

Youtube videos from Lightforce company, Alfred Griffin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSNkYVgZ69I&t=2s&ab_channel=People%2BPractice

Disclaimer

The podcast is opinion and may not be 100% accurate or
representative of the lecture / speaker, the podcast is not endorsed by an
institute or the speaker and is the independent work of Farooq Ahmed and the
Orthodontics in Summary team. It is not intended to over-ride or replace the
requirement clinicians have in being familiar with the relevant training and
guidelines for the treatment they provide.

Contributions

Contents and editing

Farooq Ahmed