Can You Get LightForce Braces on the Top Teeth and Metal Braces on the Bottom?
If you’re researching orthodontic treatment, you may have come across a common question: Can you get LightForce braces on the top teeth and traditional metal braces on the bottom?
The short answer is: some orthodontic offices may offer this type of mixed-bracket approach, but at Tennison Orthodontics, we don’t. But there’s a very intentional reason why! Keep reading to learn why full LightForce braces are optimal for orthodontic treatment.
Why Some Practices Use Two Types of Braces at the Same Time
In certain orthodontic offices, you may see LightForce braces placed on the top teeth while traditional metal braces are used on the bottom. This approach is often presented as a way to blend newer technology with more conventional methods.
In reality, this mixed approach is usually done to:
- Reduce overall costs for the practice
- Limit the use of custom technology to only what’s visible when you smile
- Simplify treatment for the doctor(s) rather than optimize patient outcomes
While this method can work mechanically, it doesn’t allow patients to fully benefit from what makes LightForce braces so effective. When two different systems are used together, treatment can become less efficient, less precise, and sometimes less comfortable than it could be with a fully customized approach.
Does Tennison Orthodontics Offer Two Types of Braces at Once?
No. Tennison Orthodontics does not mix LightForce braces with traditional metal braces in full treatment cases.
We choose to use LightForce braces for the entire smile and for all teeth, because that’s how the technology was designed to perform best. Every bracket in a LightForce system is 3D-printed specifically for each tooth, working together as one coordinated plan.
By committing to full LightForce treatment, our patients benefit from:
- Higher efficiency and precision from start to finish
- Faster overall treatment times
- Fewer adjustment appointments (often every 10 weeks instead of every 4–6)
- Improved comfort, thanks to brackets designed to fit your exact tooth anatomy
For limited or early-phase orthodontic treatment, traditional braces may still be appropriate. But for comprehensive orthodontic care, we believe patients deserve the full advantages of a truly customized system, not just a partial solution.
Choosing What’s Best for Your Smile
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your health, confidence, and long-term smile, so the details matter. While some practices may combine different types of braces, Tennison Orthodontics is committed to doing things the best way possible for our patients. By offering LightForce braces as a complete system, we’re able to deliver more predictable results, greater comfort, and a smoother experience overall.
If you’re curious whether LightForce braces are right for you or your child, we’d love to walk you through your options during a free consultation. At Tennison Orthodontics, straightening teeth is our bread and butter, and we love making fantastic smiles!
Schedule your free consultation today and experience what custom orthodontic care was meant to be!