18/10/2026
🦷 3D-printed braces: the future of orthodontics?
A 2026 study by Aliyyah Hamiduddin, Robert Aszkler, Stephen Warunek, William Tanberg and Thikriat Al-Jewair compared three orthodontic treatments in 94 patients:
• LightForce™ 3D-printed custom brackets
• Invisalign® clear aligners
• Conventional braces
The results showed comparable treatment quality, while treatment was shorter with LightForce and Invisalign than with conventional braces.
Average treatment time:
LightForce - 15.9 months
Invisalign - 14.4 months
Conventional braces - 27.8 months
Published in International Orthodontics in 2026.
3D printing is becoming more than a manufacturing tool - it could be changing the way orthodontic treatment is delivered.