May 28, 2026
When most parents come to us seeking orthodontic care for their children and tweens, they don’t usually know that there are 3 great options of braces to choose from. Braces come in many different forms these days AND more importantly they are a tool in an orthodontist’s tool kit - not the be all, end all of orthodontic treatment.
At Sandy Smiles we want parents to understand more about the options available so that they feel more educated coming into our practice for a complimentary consult. So, what are these options, you ask?
Three of our favorite types of braces are: LightForce©, Damon©, and Traditional Braces. Read more below to understand the merits of each, then contact us to see if your child is a candidate. We can have a thorough discussion and will build a unique treatment plan based on 3D scans of your child’s mouth and jaw and based on our discussion of your needs and goals.
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LightForce© Braces: The LightForce© orthodontic system is 100% customizable, bringing both flexibility and control in the treatment process. Unlike traditional braces, the brackets and braces are 3D printed exclusively for your child’s mouth - plus they’re white to match your child’s teeth! LightForce’s 3D technology prints brackets to be patient-specific, allowing us to map a pathway to a better, healthier smile based on your child’s unique needs. Because LightForce optimizes tooth movement, it ensures comfort for our youngest patients, and best of all, limits the time you need to spend in our office. Also, custom brackets can mean fewer emergency appointments for broken braces that don’t adhere as well to your mouth. Sandy Smiles Orthodontics is on the cutting edge of technology and has instituted in-office 3D printing to better customize braces to our individual patients.
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Damon© Smile Braces: As opposed to traditional brackets which hold wires in place to gradually move teeth to the correct positioning, the Damon System uses a slide mechanism to maintain archwires within the bracket. Less friction allows teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably. We accept new patients that have started their orthodontic treatment with the Damon system at another orthodontic office and are transferring to our office. This is our commitment to Military families to make moving from one base to another a bit less stressful.
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Traditional Braces: Traditional metal braces remain a trusted and highly effective option, especially for more complex cases. Dr. Morgan Zwickel of Sandy Smiles Orthodontics is one of the area’s only Board-Certified Orthodontists and has had the confidence of other orthodontists who have referred their most difficult and complex cases to her. This system uses brackets and wires to gradually shift teeth into place. They have a long track record of delivering reliable, predictable results.
Regardless of which path we take for your child, you will be cared for by an experienced orthodontist. Dr. Morgan Zwickel is Board Certified and has helped and has earned the trust of thousands of families in the Fort Walton Beach and DeFuniak Springs areas. We’re opening another office in Crestview soon to meet the needs of that growing community’s children.
We’ll start with 3D scans of your child’s mouth and teeth to ensure that any treatment is customized and unique for your child’s needs. After Dr. Zwickel’s exam and her review of any diagnostic scans, photos, and x-rays, we’ll discuss her assessment of your child’s case and provide you with her recommended best treatment for your child. Dr. Zwickel originally planned to be a pediatric dentist as she loves children, but decided that Orthodontics met both of her passions: Children & Creating Beautiful Aesthetics. Your child will be in good hands!
We look forward to hearing your questions and meeting both you and your child soon! Click here to book a complimentary consultation. The summer is the best time to start orthodontic treatment!