Lecture Description
Objective: The objective of this presentation is to 1) discuss the theoretical value of a fully custom fixed orthodontic appliance, and 2) evaluate the limited retrospective data collected to date, specifically the efficiency of LightForce 3D printed orthodontic brackets versus Stock orthodontic brackets as a function of duration of treatment and number of appointments to completion.
Methods: Records of cases utilizing LightForce Custom brackets and cases treated with stock brackets were evaluated from one orthodontic practice. All cases were treated by the same orthodontist. LightForce cases were all those completed up to 3/4/2022 (n=60). Stock bracket cases were all those completed between 1/1/2021 - 12/31/2021 (n=110). Only those cases with upper and lower 1st molar to 1st molar teeth erupted were included (LF 59, Stk 93). Partially erupted canines and premolars were accepted if at least 10% of the crown had erupted. Pre-treatment records of all treated cases were evaluated by a calibrated (PAR, ICON, IOTN) orthodontist and scored on an objective severity scale from 1-5. The investigator had full access to the treatment charts of all treated patients. All cases were evaluated for total treatment time, number of appointments, number of emergency appointments, and type of finishing archwire used.
Results: LightForce case data suggests 30-40% fewer scheduled and total appointments compared to stock bracket cases treated by the same orthodontist during the same time period. When matched for case severity and patient age, LightForce cases took 41% less time to finish than stock brackets. In addition, 70% of the LightForce cases were finished with Cu NiTi archwires versus 70% of stock brackets being finished in TMA or stainless-steel finishing wires.
Conclusions: In a retrospective evaluation of one orthodontic practice, LightForce brackets tended to show improvement in practice efficiency as evaluated by number of appointments to complete the case and duration of treatment time. The increased use of Cu NiTi finishing archwires in LightForce cases compared to stock brackets may indicate a decreased need for finishing bends with the LightForce bracket system. As this technology evolves, the specialty should continue to investigate how the theoretical benefits compare to what is actually realized in clinical practice.
October 28-30, 2022 ¡¤ COEX, Seoul, Korea