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E-mailGarlock Orthodontics has begun offering LightForce™ custom 3D-printed ceramic braces to patients at its Aurora, Colorado practice, expanding the treatment options available to both teens and adults seeking orthodontic care in the area. The addition of LightForce™ brings individually made, tooth-colored ceramic brackets to the practice, with each bracket produced from a digital scan of the patient's dentition rather than from a generic mold.
How LightForce™ Braces Work
The LightForce™ system begins before a single bracket is placed. Dr. David Garlock constructs a complete digital treatment plan at the outset, mapping the intended movement of each tooth before any hardware is bonded to the patient's teeth. This planning step means the brackets ordered for each case are shaped specifically for the individual tooth surfaces they will contact, rather than relying on standardized sizes across a patient population.
The brackets themselves are tooth-colored ceramic, giving them a more discreet appearance than traditional metal braces. Because the base of each bracket is contoured to match the exact shape of the tooth it sits on, the fit is more precise than what a standard bracket can achieve. For patients considering braces in Aurora CO, this level of customization represents a meaningful departure from conventional fixed-appliance treatment.
Single-Visit Placement Using a Custom Bonding Tray
One of the more practical aspects of the LightForce™ process is how the brackets are seated. Rather than bonding each bracket to the tooth individually in sequence, a personalized bonding tray is fabricated to hold the full set of brackets in their precise positions. The entire set is then placed in a single appointment. This approach eliminates the need to position each bracket by hand during the visit, reducing chair time and the possibility of incremental placement errors.
For families exploring braces for teens in Aurora CO, the single-visit bonding process is a practical consideration alongside the cosmetic benefit of tooth-colored brackets. Teenagers who are self-conscious about the appearance of metal hardware during treatment may find the ceramic option more compatible with their daily routines, whether in school, in extracurricular activities, or in photographs.
Fewer Adjustment Visits Over the Course of Treatment
Because the digital plan is established before treatment begins and the brackets are manufactured to correspond with that plan, the LightForce™ system is designed to require fewer in-office adjustment appointments than conventional braces typically involve. The bracket bases are custom-fitted to each tooth, which reduces the reliance on wire bending to compensate for bracket placement variation - a common factor in the frequency of traditional adjustment visits.
This structure may be particularly relevant for working adults and students with demanding schedules who are looking for an orthodontist in Aurora CO offering fixed-appliance treatment that minimizes time away from school or work. Fewer scheduled visits over the treatment period, without reducing the scope of the treatment plan, is a functional distinction between LightForce™ and standard bracket-and-wire systems.
Visualized Treatment from the Start
Another element of the LightForce™ process at Garlock Orthodontics is that the digital plan exists before any bracket is made. the entire smile journey is mapped out digitally before treatment begins, so patients have a treatment plan they can visualize from day one. This transparency allows patients and, in the case of adolescents, their parents to understand the intended sequence of movement prior to the first appointment.
The availability of LightForce™ at Garlock Orthodontics reflects a shift in how fixed appliances can be delivered - moving from standardized components applied with manual adjustments toward digitally planned, individually produced brackets placed with a high degree of positional accuracy.
About Garlock Orthodontics
Garlock Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice located in Aurora, Colorado, serving teens and adults with a range of orthodontic treatment options. Dr. David Garlock leads the practice and offers treatments including LightForce™ custom 3D-printed braces, with a focus on digital planning and individualized care for each patient.
Learn more at Garlock Ortho
