What is Lightforce, will it change orthodontics? 6 MINUTE SUMMARY

Join me for a look into a recent digital innovation withinorthodontics, Lightforce. I explore how the 3D printedlabial bracket system works, the features and what the proposed advantages. Recentresearchexploring the advantages of Lightforce is discussed as well as my comparison toother 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 Axisof the Clinical Crown, through altering the base thickness, the resultingmoment 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, visualisationof the outcome,

3. Case approval

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

Other advantages

· Accuracy of 3D printed slot

· Adapted base, less adhesive

· Minitubes, biteturbos

What are the proposed advantages and claims around Lightforcewith evidence

1. Shorter duration of treatment due to precision

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

Proposed advantages and claims around Lightforce ithoutevidence

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

3. Remove issue of compliance or biomechanics as limitationsto treatment outcomes

4. Saving Doctors time and money, removerepositions

5. Reduce or eliminate wire bends

What are my thoughts?

· Labial fixed appliances are catching up withaligners and lingual appliances

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

· Presence of Lighforce features within otherappliances:

o Customised brackets Insignia / Incognito

o Digital planning: aligners, Insignia

· No customisation of archwires with Lightforce

· Not sure how Lightforce would reduce appointmentintervals, ligation is conventional ligation through elastomeric modules, withplastic 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 orrepresentative of the lecture / speaker, the podcast is not endorsed by aninstitute or the speaker and is the independent work of Farooq Ahmed and theOrthodontics in Summary team. It is not intended to over-ride or replace therequirement clinicians have in being familiar with the relevant training andguidelines for the treatment they provide.

Contributions

Contents and editing

Farooq Ahmed

What is Lightforce, will it change orthodontics? 6 MINUTE SUMMARY

orthodontics In summary

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