At Smiles for Maine Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Brian Patterson and his team use advanced orthodontic technology to deliver precise, efficient, and comfortable care. Every tool and technique we use is selected to improve accuracy, shorten treatment timelines, and enhance the overall patient experience while supporting long-term oral health.
Our modern approach to orthodontics allows us to identify alignment and bite concerns quickly and create customized treatment plans using digital workflows designed around each patient’s unique needs.
Improved Patient Experience
Faster Treatment Times
Increased Patient Comfort
Fewer In-Office Appointments
More Precise Tooth Alignment
Why Does Advanced Orthodontic Technology Matter?
Modern orthodontic technology improves every stage of treatment, from diagnosis to final results. Digital systems allow for more accurate planning, better communication, and more predictable outcomes while reducing discomfort and unnecessary appointments.
Improved patient experience
Faster treatment timelines
Increased comfort during treatment
Fewer in-office visits
More precise tooth alignment
What is iTero Digital Scanning?
iTero is a state-of-the-art digital impression system used to create highly accurate 3D images of your teeth and gums. Instead of traditional putty impressions, the iTero scanner captures detailed digital scans in minutes, making the process faster, cleaner, and more comfortable.
These digital scans allow Dr. Patterson to evaluate alignment, bite concerns, and treatment progress with exceptional accuracy.
How iTero Works
The iTero handheld wand creates a digital 3-D image of your teeth. The doctor and patient can view this image on a screen in real-time. The need for taking traditional putty impressions is eliminated, and with no physical impressions needing to be shipped to a lab, the digital image is available in the Invisalign Clincheck system the next day. The advantages to both the orthodontist and patient are quite clear – this system affords superior accuracy, increased patient comfort with no invasive putty impressions and goopy aftertaste, and a faster, more accurate diagnosis of your orthodontic treatment needs.
How Does iTero Improve the Patient Experience?
The iTero handheld scanner creates a real-time 3D image that appears instantly on a screen, allowing patients to see their teeth and better understand treatment recommendations. Eliminating traditional impressions removes discomfort, gagging, and messy materials.
Digital scans can be quickly used for Invisalign planning and other orthodontic applications, helping streamline treatment and reduce delays.
What Is LightForce Orthodontics?
LightForce Orthodontics is an advanced braces system that uses digital planning and 3D printing technology to create fully customized brackets for each individual patient. Instead of using standard, one-size-fits-all brackets, LightForce designs braces specifically shaped for each tooth based on detailed digital scans.
This personalized approach allows Dr. Brian Patterson to plan tooth movement with greater precision from the start, supporting more efficient treatment, improved comfort, and predictable results. By combining custom bracket design with exact placement, LightForce Orthodontics represents a modern evolution of traditional braces designed to deliver high-quality, patient-specific orthodontic care.
LightForce Brackets
Unlike traditional braces, which are manufactured with a fixed-base shape, LightForce Orthodontics uses state-of-the-art 3D printing technology to create brackets that are unique to each individual patient. Standard brackets have to compensate for mismatches between the bracket base and the shape of a patient’s tooth. Lightforce brackets can be bonded with a uniform cement layer. LightForce Brackets are designed with patient comfort in mind. The materials and custom base provide the necessary strength to minimize contact with the soft tissues of a patient’s gums and mouth. This prevents irritation, periodontal concerns during treatment, and long-term discomfort.
Why Do We Use LightForce Orthodontics?
LightForce Orthodontics allows Dr. Brian Patterson to provide fully customized braces designed specifically for each patient’s teeth. Using advanced digital planning and 3D printing technology, LightForce creates brackets that match the exact shape, size, and position of each tooth.
This personalized approach supports more precise tooth movement and more efficient treatment outcomes.
How Does LightForce Orthodontics Work?
Treatment begins with a digital scan of the teeth, which is used to design a customized orthodontic plan. LightForce brackets and indirect bonding trays are then 3D printed to ensure each bracket is placed exactly where it needs to be.
This precision reduces the need for bracket repositioning and helps teeth move more predictably throughout treatment.
What Makes LightForce Brackets Different from Traditional Braces?
Traditional braces use standard brackets that must be adjusted to fit each tooth. LightForce brackets are custom-designed for every individual tooth, allowing for a more uniform bonding layer and improved control.
This customization enhances accuracy, supports efficient movement, and improves consistency in treatment results.
How Does LightForce Improve Comfort During Treatment?
Because LightForce brackets are designed to fit the natural contours of each tooth, they minimize contact with the gums and surrounding soft tissues. The custom base and materials help reduce irritation and pressure.
Patients often experience fewer issues with soft tissue discomfort and a smoother adjustment period during treatment.
Does Advanced Technology Help Shorten Treatment Time?
Yes. Digital planning, precise bracket placement, and customized appliances allow for more controlled tooth movement. This efficiency often leads to fewer adjustments, fewer delays, and more predictable treatment timelines.
Advanced technology helps keep treatment progressing smoothly while maintaining high standards of care.
Why Is Customization Important for Long-Term Results?
Every smile is different, and personalized orthodontic treatment supports better bite alignment, improved function, and long-term stability. By combining expert care with advanced technology, Smiles for Maine Orthodontics delivers results that are both beautiful and durable.
Our technology-driven approach allows Dr. Patterson to provide modern orthodontic solutions designed for comfort, precision, and lasting confidence.
