Treatment of Complications Associated with the Advanced Lightwire Functional Appliance in Adult Patients

The Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) appliance, introduced in the late 1980s by Dr. Darick Nordstrom, was designed as a low-force orthodontic device (Fig. 1).¹ It has been claimed to promote dental arch development, improve facial symmetry, and potentially benefit conditions such as TMD, as well as overall oral function.^2-4 Similarly, the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance (AGGA), developed by Dr. Steve Galella in the 1990s, has been marketed as a fixed appliance aimed at inducing rapid craniofacial skeletal change, particularly by promoting forward maxillary growth.