LightForce Orthodontics logo

LightForce Orthodontics

Challenger

LightForce Orthodontics makes the only fully personalized 3D-printed ceramic bracket system; raised $80M Series D (Ally Bridge, Kleiner Perkins, Transformation Capital); launched commercial operations in 2020.

Best for: AI-Powered Orthodontic Technology
HealthcareAI-Powered Orthodontic TechnologyWebsiteUpdated May 2026

Company Overview

About LightForce Orthodontics

LightForce Orthodontics is a digital health company that has reinvented fixed orthodontic treatment through AI-driven software and 3D-printed custom ceramic brackets. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Alfred Griffin, a Harvard-trained orthodontist and engineer, LightForce's system produces individualized brackets — one set per patient, per tooth — using proprietary 3D printing processes and digital treatment planning software. Unlike traditional braces, which are manufactured in a small number of standard sizes and then bent and adjusted by orthodontists to approximate the right fit, LightForce brackets are precision-engineered to each patient's dental anatomy, reducing adjustment appointments, shortening treatment time, and improving clinical predictability.

Business Model & Competitive Advantage

LightForce raised $80M in a Series D round led by Ally Bridge Group, Transformation Capital, and CareCapital, with participation from Kleiner Perkins, Tyche Partners, Matrix Partners, Omega Venture Partners, and the American Association of Orthodontists. Total funding across the Series A through D rounds reflects strong backing from both healthcare and frontier-technology investors. The Series D proceeds are funding a new 36,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts, expansion of the AI-driven clinical software, and growth of the engineering team. LightForce launched commercial operations in 2020 and has rapidly expanded its practitioner network, with orthodontic practices across the US now using the system as an alternative to conventional brackets and clear aligner therapies like Invisalign.

Competitive Landscape 2025–2026

LightForce competes at the intersection of the $3.5B US orthodontics market and the medical 3D printing sector. Its primary competition comes from traditional bracket manufacturers (3M, Ormco, Dentsply Sirona) and from Align Technology's Invisalign clear aligner system. LightForce differentiates through its hybrid approach — the precision of custom brackets with the aesthetic benefit of tooth-colored ceramic — combined with its digital-first workflow that integrates directly into orthodontists' existing practice management systems.

Founded
2015
Curated content • Fact-checked and verified

Key Differentiators

Strong Challenger

LightForce Orthodontics is an established challenger with significant market presence and competitive offerings in Healthcare.

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