Braces have not stood still. The brackets we bond today are smaller, smoother, and far more precise than the hardware most parents remember from their own treatment. The clearest example of that shift is LightForce® — fully customized, 3D-printed ceramic brackets designed for one patient’s teeth and no one else’s. At Garlock Orthodontics in Aurora, CO, Dr. David Garlock uses LightForce brackets as part of our digital treatment workflow, and patients notice the difference in both appearance and appointment time.
What Makes LightForce Different From Standard Braces
Traditional brackets, metal or ceramic, are mass-produced in a small number of shapes meant to fit an “average” tooth. Teeth are not average. Every tooth has its own curve, height, and angle, so a stock bracket almost never sits perfectly flat against the surface. Orthodontists compensate with bracket-positioning adjustments and wire bends over the course of treatment.
LightForce removes much of that compensation. Each bracket is designed from a digital scan of your teeth and bite, then 3D-printed in a durable, tooth-colored ceramic. The base of the bracket is shaped to match the exact contours of the tooth it will sit on, so the fit is custom from day one rather than corrected along the way.
How The Process Works At Our Aurora Office
- Digital scan. We capture a 3D scan of your teeth, with no impression putty required.
- Digital treatment plan. Dr. Garlock designs your full treatment plan before a single bracket exists, mapping where each tooth needs to move and where each bracket must sit to get it there.
- Custom bracket design and printing. LightForce’s software builds a bracket for every tooth from that plan, then 3D-prints the set.
- Single-visit placement. Because the brackets are custom, they arrive in a personalized bonding tray. That lets Dr. Garlock seat your entire set accurately in one visit instead of positioning each bracket by hand.
- Regular adjustments. From there, treatment feels familiar: periodic visits to change wires and check progress, usually fewer of them, thanks to the precision built in up front.
What Patients Tend To Like About LightForce
- A more discreet look. The tooth-colored ceramic blends in far better than traditional metal brackets, which matters to adults and self-conscious teens.
- Better comfort. A bracket base shaped to your tooth anatomy sits flatter, with fewer edges and less bulk against the lip and cheek.
- Fewer adjustment appointments. Precise digital planning means less mid-treatment correction, so there is generally less chair time over the course of care.
- A plan you can picture. Your tooth movement is mapped digitally before treatment starts, so you can see where you are headed instead of taking it on faith.
Is LightForce Right For You?
LightForce treats the same range of concerns as conventional braces: crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, and bite problems such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. It is a strong fit for patients who want the reliability of fixed braces with a lower-profile appearance, and for adults and teens who would rather not spend extra visits in the chair.
It is not the only good option. Some cases are better served by self-ligating brackets, ceramic brackets, or clear aligners, and some patients simply prefer traditional metal braces, including the fun of choosing elastic colors. The right answer depends on your bite, your goals, and your daily life. You can compare every option we offer on our types of braces page, and Dr. Garlock will walk you through the trade-offs specific to your case at your first visit.
Caring For LightForce Braces
Care is the same as with any fixed appliance, and it matters just as much. Brush after meals, floss daily with a threader or interdental brush, and stay away from hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can pop a bracket loose. Because the brackets are ceramic and tooth-colored, staying on top of hygiene also keeps them looking their best. Our team will send you home with tools and technique, and there is more detail on our caring for your braces page.
Frequently Asked Questions About LightForce Braces
How are LightForce brackets different from regular braces?
Regular brackets come in a handful of stock shapes meant to fit an “average” tooth. LightForce brackets are 3D-printed individually for each of your teeth from a digital scan, so the base of every bracket matches the contours of the tooth it sits on.
Are LightForce braces noticeable?
They are far less noticeable than metal brackets. LightForce brackets are printed in a tooth-colored ceramic, so they blend with your natural enamel. They are still fixed braces, so they are not invisible the way clear aligners are.
Do LightForce braces hurt less?
Most patients find them more comfortable. Because each bracket base is shaped to the tooth, it sits flatter with less bulk against the lip and cheek. You should still expect normal soreness for a few days after placement and after wire changes, as with any braces.
Will I need fewer appointments?
Generally, yes. Two things help: your entire set of brackets is bonded in a single visit using a custom tray, and the digital planning up front reduces the mid-treatment bracket repositioning and wire bending that adds visits. Dr. Garlock will give you a visit schedule based on your specific plan.
How long does treatment take with LightForce?
It depends on your case, not on the bracket system alone. Crowding, bite correction, and how consistently you wear elastics all matter. We will give you a realistic timeline at your consultation, after your scan and treatment plan are done.
Can teens and adults both get LightForce?
Yes. The custom fit and tooth-colored look tend to appeal most to adults and to teens who want something more discreet, but suitability comes down to your bite and treatment goals rather than your age.
How do I care for LightForce braces?
The same way you would care for any fixed braces: brush after meals, floss daily with a threader or interdental brush, and avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can knock a bracket loose. See our caring for your braces page for the full list.
Does Garlock Orthodontics offer LightForce?
Yes. LightForce custom 3D-printed braces are one of the bracket options offered at our Aurora, CO office, alongside traditional metal, ceramic, and self-ligating brackets.
Is LightForce more expensive than traditional braces?
Cost depends on the complexity of your case and your insurance coverage. Bring your questions to your free consultation and we will lay out your options and payment plans before you commit to anything.
Ready To See Your Options?
If you have been putting off treatment because you did not want a mouth full of metal, LightForce is worth a conversation. Consultations at Garlock Orthodontics are free. We will scan, review your options, and give you a straight answer about what your smile actually needs. Request your free consult or call our Aurora office at (303) 627-6212.