LightForce Orthodontics raises $80M in Series D funding for ceramic AM dental brackets
August 3, 2023
LightForce Orthodontics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, has announced that it raised $80 million in a Series D funding round. The round was led by Ally Bridge Group, Transformation Capital, and CareCapital. Omega Venture Partners, Matter Venture Partners, and the American Association of Orthodontics also participated, as did existing LightForce investors including Kleiner Perkins, Tyche Partners, and Matrix Partners.
LightForce will reportedly use the funding to scale production of additively manufactured brackets with a new facility, using Artificial Intelligence in its workflows and investing in education. These types of translucent ceramic brackets have traditionally been manufactured by industry suppliers using Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) technology.
LightForce’s additively manufactured hardware is custom-made according to a personalised, digital treatment plan. The LightForce software uses AI to generate accurate digital representations of patient anatomy and optimal teeth positions for clinical efficiency and aesthetics, from Intraoral and CBCT support to the final prescription.
With the new funding, LightForce will continue to grow its team of engineers and scientists to further develop its software and hardware, improving patient experience with shorter treatment times and better clinical outcomes. The Series D round will also prepare the company to expand and scale production capabilities, with a new 3,345 m2 manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Launching commercial operations in 2020, LightForce is changing a nearly century-old approach to braces with Additive Manufacturing and AI, enabling the production of personalised and efficient solutions for orthodontists. As LightForce scales production and advances its technology, it plans to invest in clinical education resources to address the need for education in the orthodontic industry. This investment is intended to provide orthodontists with the skills and technology required to transition from stock one-size-fits-all braces to a fully digital practice.
“This incredible syndicate of investors brings diverse expertise from the medical device, health IT, AI, and advanced manufacturing sectors to provide critical resources and expert guidance that will support our overall growth and continued innovation,” stated Alfred Griffin III, DMD, PhD, MMSc LightForce CEO and co-founder.
“Teen patients have been limited by the inaccuracy and inefficiency of non-custom braces for decades. LightForce was founded to provide fully personalised 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.”
Kevin Reilly, Managing Director at Ally Bridge Group, added, “LightForce is taking the orthodontic industry to the next level. Their solution applies highly innovative technologies to enable the personalisation of orthodontic treatment via 3D printing, helping patients achieve their best smiles. We are excited to be part of a diverse group of top-tier healthcare and tech investors that believe in the benefits of personalised medicine in the orthodontic industry. The future of orthodontics is customisation and digital workflow and we are excited to see the continued enhancement in patient care through this funding.”
LightForce’s personalised approach is said to reduce the need for adjustments, resulting in shorter treatment times, fewer appointments, and better outcomes compared to traditional braces. According to a recent peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, LightForce cases finished 45% faster with 41% fewer scheduled appointments than conventional bracket cases.
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