Applications

LightForce Orthodontics Gets $80M Funding for 3D Printed Braces

One of the sectors where 3D printing has truly become a key technology is undoubtedly dentistry. Indeed, in contrast to many other field where additive manufacturing is sometimes still in the early stages of adoption, 3D technologies have already been…

3D printed braces
3Dnatives

One of the sectors where 3D printing has truly become a key technology is undoubtedly dentistry. Indeed, in contrast to many other field where additive manufacturing is sometimes still in the early stages of adoption, 3D technologies have already been used in dental applications for some now, with uses only growing. So much so that the global dental 3D printing market size was valued at $2.5 billion in 2022 alone according to Grand View Research. And the health of the market has been reconfirmed with the latest news that LightForce Orthodontics has secured $80 million in series D funding for its 3D printed braces system.

We have previously told you about LightForce Orthodontics. It was founded in 2015 in Burlington, Massachusetts by Dr. Alfred Griffin, DMD, phD, MMSc, and Dr. Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS and launched commercial operations in 2020. Its goal? To provide a digital platform for orthodontists to have access to fully customized, 3D printed tooth-moving tools. In other words, braces or other orthopedic devices that help to correct patients’ smiles. Considering that an estimated four million people in the United States have braces at any one time, according to the Pennsylvania Dental Association, with 25% to 53% worldwide requiring orthodontic intervention, it is certainly a field where innovation would be welcomed.

LightForce creates 3D printed brackets for braces, allowing more personalized and effective treatment

In a press release, Griffin expanded on LightForce’s specific mission and the benefits of this funding, explaining, “Teen patients have been limited by the inaccuracy and inefficiency of non-custom braces for decades. LightForce was founded to provide fully personalized treatment options to orthodontists for each of their patients to improve their outcomes and experience while in treatment. With this funding, LightForce will continue to attract key talent, innovate through our incredible community of orthodontists, and scale operations as we seek to elevate the standard of care for teen orthodontic treatment.”