LightForce Orthodontics has introduced LightBracket Metal™, a patient-specific 3D-printed metal bracket designed from an orthodontist’s digital treatment plan. According to the company, the product expands access to individualized fixed treatment and reflects a broader approach it describes as generative braces.
According to the company, generative braces are designed so that each appliance is created from an individual treatment plan, with the bracket serving as the output of that plan. If the plan changes, the bracket is updated accordingly. Rather than using standardized appliances, each bracket is generated and manufactured for a specific patient and tooth.
“For more than a century, orthodontics relied on a stock bracket for patients who were never stock. LightBracket Metal changes the order of things. We’re giving doctors the most exact instrument they've ever had for the work they were born to do," said Alfred Griffin, founder and ceo of LightForce Orthodontics.
Orthodontic treatment has progressed from standardized stock brackets requiring manual adjustments to digitally planned clear aligners, which the company states have limitations in clinical scope. According to the company, its generative braces model, previously available in ceramic brackets, has demonstrated up to 60% fewer appointments and 43% shorter treatment times compared with conventional braces. The company states that the addition of LightBracket Metal extends these capabilities to patients who choose metal brackets, representing 65% of cases globally.
LightBracket Metal is produced using a proprietary 3D metal printing process. Each bracket is individualized across bracket base, slot height, slot prescription, bracket position, tie wings, and hooks. According to the company, the base conforms to the morphology of the tooth, and slot sizes are available in .018”, .020”, and .022” with bidimensional combinations. The company states that a lower-profile design and patient-specific tie-wing and hook aim to improve comfort and reduce debond rates, while indirect bonding trays generated by algorithms support staff-delegated bonding.
“In my practice, I care deeply about providing individualized care for my patients. With LightBracket Metal, I am now able to provide that level of care with a patient-specific metal bracket system that is generated from my digital treatment plan,” said Dr. Jacquee Schieck at Schieck Orthodontics.
"For decades, every patient got the same bracket. That ends now. We are accelerating toward a future where the very idea of a universal, one-size-fits-all bracket is unthinkable,” said James Lawton, president of LightForce Orthodontics.
According to the company, LightBracket Metal is being introduced to orthodontic practices, with demonstrations and early access available upon request.
The company plans to present the system at the AAO Annual Session 2026, scheduled for May 1 through 3 in Orlando, where live demonstrations and hands-on access will be available. Company representatives and clinical team members are expected to be present for discussions during the event.
LightForce will also host a webinar on May 7, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring a product unveiling by Alfred Griffin, an overview of the technology, a case review, and a panel discussion with contributing clinicians.
LightForce Orthodontics, founded in 2019, develops individualized orthodontic appliances using 3D printing technology, with both ceramic and metal bracket systems generated from digital treatment plans. More information is available at https://lf.co/.
