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SC Orthodontics · Custom-bracket treatment

LightForce braces in Valencia & Santa Clarita

A digital treatment plan. Brackets made for your teeth. Explore a personalized fixed-braces approach with Dr. Haykani.

Book free consultation Explore LightForce

The plan meets the appliance

What makes
LightForce different?

Conventional braces use brackets selected from a manufactured range. LightForce designs brackets for individual teeth from your digital treatment plan—bringing more of the customization into the appliance itself.

  1. 01 · Explore

    A tooth-specific fit

    A custom bracket base is designed around the shape of the tooth it will attach to.

  2. 02 · Explore

    Planning before placement

    Dr. Haykani reviews the proposed tooth and bracket positions before manufacture.

  3. 03 · Explore

    Compare your options

    See the advantages, shared responsibilities and tradeoffs versus conventional braces.

01Doctor-led planning

Your LightForce plan
starts in Valencia.

Dr. Haykani reviewing a digital scanner screen at the practice.

At SC Orthodontics, LightForce treatment starts with an examination, digital records and a conversation about your goals. Dr. Haykani assesses the bite and dental health behind your smile before recommending a custom-bracket approach.

Your Santa Clarita consultation

Bring questions about crowding, spacing or your bite, along with details of previous treatment, injuries and dental work. At our Valencia office, we help teens and adults from Santa Clarita compare the options that can address their needs.

What does the digital plan show?

The digital setup lets your orthodontist inspect proposed tooth positions and bracket placement, make changes and approve the plan before manufacture. That connects the planning stage to the brackets made for you. It is not a prediction of exactly how fast teeth will move; your response still needs clinical review.

02Patient-specific brackets

Custom 3D-printed
LightForce brackets.

A close view of tooth-colored upper braces and metal lower braces.
Fixed-braces detail; the brackets and materials in your plan may differ.

The ceramic LightForce option uses 3D-printed, patient-specific brackets. Each bracket base is contoured to its tooth, and its design reflects the approved treatment plan. The brackets stay bonded to the teeth and work with an archwire.

A custom fit, with a familiar routine

You do not remove the braces or remember to reinsert trays after meals. That can suit someone who prefers a fixed appliance. You still need careful cleaning, food adjustments and any prescribed elastics; a custom design does not remove those responsibilities.

How are the brackets placed?

Patient-specific transfer trays can help position the brackets according to the approved plan. Direct placement is also possible; Dr. Haykani selects the approach for your case. After bonding, the wire is fitted and we explain cleaning, eating and what to do if something rubs or loosens.

  1. 01

    Plan and review

    Your scan becomes a proposed setup. Dr. Haykani reviews tooth and bracket positions, then approves manufacture.

  2. 02

    Make and place

    The custom brackets are produced before your fitting visit. We explain the placement steps and your first days in braces.

  3. 03

    Check and adjust

    Reviews assess tooth movement, bite and appliance condition. Wires or other parts of the plan are adjusted as needed.

03Custom vs. conventional

LightForce vs.
traditional braces.

Both are fixed braces. The distinction is how the appliance is designed—not whether your orthodontist creates a personal treatment plan. Here is what changes, and what stays familiar.

Built from your plan

LightForce

Your scanApproved setupCustom brackets
Bracket design
Each bracket is made for an individual tooth using the approved digital plan.
Where customization happens
Tooth-specific bracket shape and planned positions connect the digital setup to the appliance.
Placement
Custom transfer trays can carry the planned positions to the teeth; direct placement is also possible.
Appearance and care
The ceramic option is less conspicuous than metal, but the brackets and wire are still visible. Fixed-braces cleaning and food precautions apply.

Selected, then individualized

Conventional braces

Your examinationBracket selectionPersonalized placement
Bracket design
Brackets are selected from a manufactured range for different teeth and prescriptions.
Where customization happens
The orthodontist personalizes bracket selection, placement, wires and adjustments. Conventional does not mean an uncustomized treatment plan.
Placement
Brackets may be placed directly or with transfer trays. Digital planning and indirect placement are not exclusive to LightForce.
Appearance and care
Metal and ceramic choices have different looks. Both need cleaning around the wire, food precautions, reviews and retention afterward.

The advantage worth discussing

If a fixed appliance fits your goals, LightForce offers a way to build tooth-specific design into your braces before they are placed. The important question is what that changes for your bite—not whether one brand is universally better.

The tradeoffs worth discussing

Custom manufacture adds a preparation step. Ceramic brackets still need protection from damage, and not every tooth surface or bite suits the same appliance. Your examination and quote should explain why this option is recommended over metal braces, other ceramic braces or Invisalign.

Does LightForce mean faster treatment or fewer visits?

Some retrospective studies report shorter treatment and fewer scheduled visits with custom brackets. A 2026 study also found more bracket failures and bracket-related emergency visits in its LightForce group. Those findings do not establish that every patient will finish sooner or need fewer visits overall. We estimate your schedule from the bite, planned movements and progress—not a marketing percentage.

Read the 2026 comparative study · How a braces timeline is estimated

04Care and continuity

Daily care for
LightForce braces.

A hand holding a toothbrush with toothpaste beside a bathroom sink.

Clean and protect

Brush with fluoride toothpaste, clean carefully between teeth and under the wire, and keep regular dental checkups. Avoid hard or sticky foods that could damage brackets.

Keep your plan moving

Attend your reviews and follow instructions for any prescribed elastics. Tell us about a loose bracket or a problem with the appliance rather than waiting for your next routine visit.

After the braces come off

Retention is part of the next stage, not an optional extra. Follow your prescribed retainer routine to help maintain tooth positions, and ask us about fit, wear or damage. Explore retainer care.

Practical reading: brushing with braces and foods to choose.

Before you decide

LightForce fees
and financing.

Crowns, implants, missing teeth, gum health and the movements needed can affect the recommendation. Custom brackets do not make every case suitable. Bring dental records and ask how the proposed treatment fits your wider dental care.

Braces with crowns, implants or root canals

Understand the fee

LightForce is quoted by case; the published metal-braces ranges are not a LightForce quote. Ask what your total fee includes and how repairs or retention are handled. Review treatment fees.

Check your benefits

Orthodontic coverage depends on your policy, eligibility and benefits—not simply whether a practice accepts the insurer. Insurance information and our local insurance guide explain what to check.

Plan your payments

Discuss the proposed payment schedule and your remaining responsibility after estimated insurance benefits. Explore financing information before your consultation.

A little more detail

Questions about
LightForce braces.

Practical answers for your consultation in Valencia, from suitability to the routine after fitting.

What is the main advantage of LightForce over conventional braces?

The brackets are designed for individual teeth from an orthodontist-approved digital plan, rather than selected solely from a manufactured bracket range. That connects tooth-specific bracket design with planning before placement. Conventional braces also receive an individualized treatment plan; the best choice depends on your bite, dental health and goals.

Are LightForce braces removable?

No. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire. You do not take them out for meals or cleaning. You still need to clean around the appliance, avoid foods that can damage it and follow instructions for any prescribed elastics.

Is LightForce another name for ceramic braces?

No. Ceramic describes a material. LightForce describes a system of digital planning and patient-specific brackets. The ceramic option discussed here is one way to have less noticeable fixed braces, but the wire and brackets are not invisible. We explain the materials proposed for your treatment.

Can teens and adults have LightForce braces?

Both teens and adults can be assessed. Age alone does not decide suitability: the bite, planned movements, tooth surfaces, existing dental work and gum health matter. Dr. Haykani will explain whether custom brackets fit your needs or another approach is more appropriate.

Will LightForce cost more than conventional braces?

Your quote depends on the treatment proposed. Ask for a comparison of suitable options and what each fee includes, including reviews and retention. We discuss fees, insurance estimates and payment arrangements before you decide; do not assume that a particular bracket system guarantees coverage.

What should I expect after the braces are fitted?

Teeth may feel tender and brackets can rub as you adjust. Softer foods may help initially. Contact us for severe, persistent or worsening soreness, or if an appliance problem is making it difficult to eat or clean.

What if a bracket loosens or a wire pokes?

Contact the office for advice rather than waiting for the next routine visit. Avoid pulling at the appliance. Orthodontic wax may temporarily cushion rubbing, but it does not replace a needed repair. Tell us about significant pain or an injury when you call.

Will I still need retainers after LightForce?

Yes. Custom brackets do not replace retention. Teeth can move after active treatment, so follow the retainer wear and care plan prescribed for you. Contact us if a retainer is damaged, lost or no longer fits.

Notes from the practice

Guides for choosing
and living with braces.

A few useful guides from SC Orthodontics, chosen for the decisions and routines that come with fixed braces.

Planning

Braces or Invisalign?

Compare removable and fixed treatment by the routine you can follow—not appearance alone.

Everyday care

Cleaning around brackets

Build a daily routine around the wire, bracket edges and gumline, with regular dental care alongside orthodontics.

Your next step

Explore your options
in Santa Clarita.

Meet Dr. Haykani at our Valencia office. We will help you understand where LightForce fits among the options for your smile.

Book free consultationText us
Visit
25385 Wayne Mills Pl
Valencia, CA 91355
Call / text
(661) 425-0559

LightForce near you

Directions and timing from your part of the valley.

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