LightForce introduces Gingival Contoured Brackets! In the article below, find the answers to frequently asked questions.
How does this help me better serve my patients?
Currently, bracket placement on the tooth during planning is limited due to bracket impingement on the gingiva. This results in the doctor needing to directly bond the bracket, or the technicians have to place all of the brackets closer to the incisal edge to permit indirect bonding of all brackets. Incisally placed brackets are unaesthetic, necessitate larger bite turbos, and increase the risk of occlusal interference and enamel damage on opposing teeth.
What value does this add?
This will provide more options for planning and flexibility in various clinical scenarios (partially erupted teeth, crowding, etc.) to allow doctors to treat a wider range of patients. Gingival contours on the bracket will allow brackets to be placed closer to the gums, minimizing occlusal contact, reducing the need for bite turbos for bracket clearance, and allowing more brackets to be indirectly bonded, which increases accuracy and saves doctor time.
How will this impact patient experience or comfort?
The new bracket design will have a positive impact on patient comfort. The design of this bracket will create a more positive experience for the patient if the doctor has to bond to a partially erupted tooth. Placing brackets away from the incisal edge will improve patient aesthetics, and reduce the size of bite turbos needed to prevent interference, which increases patient comfort. Additionally, dentists and hygienists will appreciate that this feature covers less tooth surface and is not close to or under the gingiva, since that can be problematic for oral hygiene.
When is this available and how is it applied?
All cases submitted on or after February 1, 2023 will include gingival contoured brackets. Reorders will maintain the same base that was originally planned (i.e., brackets with the non-contoured base that are reordered will be replaced with the same non-contoured base bracket)
How does this impact an orthodontic practice?
Bond all brackets sooner! Before this feature, providers had to wait to bond a partially erupted tooth or use the tooth extension feature, which results in direct-bonded brackets, which are less accurate and require more doctor time. Waiting can lead to a longer time in treatment and tooth extension is not an ideal patient and practice experience.