The
Pitts21 System.

What the Pitts21 system is

The Pitts21 bracket system is a modern self-ligating orthodontic appliance developed by Dr. Tom Pitts and manufactured by OC Orthodontics. Built on three decades of clinical research into bracket geometry and tooth movement, Pitts21 was engineered to accomplish what traditional braces cannot: move teeth efficiently and comfortably while producing broader, more natural-looking smiles.

Pitts21 is the bracket system we reach for at SmileHaus when the clinical case calls for fixed braces rather than aligners. It replaces the old, familiar picture of orthodontics — chunky metal brackets, colored elastic ties, long adjustment visits — with a thinner, lower- profile appliance that patients often tell us they forget they're wearing.

How Pitts21 is different from traditional braces

Traditional "tied" braces hold the archwire in place with an elastic or wire ligature. Every time the wire moves a tooth, it has to overcome the friction of that tie. Self-ligating braces — Pitts21 included — use a built-in clip to hold the wire instead. The wire moves more freely; teeth move more predictably; and the system generates less friction overall.

What that means for you, practically:

• Faster tooth movement in the right cases, because friction isn't fighting the archwire.
• Fewer adjustment appointments. Pitts21 patients at SmileHaus typically come in every 8–10 weeks rather than every 4–6.
• More comfortable between visits, because we use lighter, more biologically friendly forces.
• Smaller, lower-profile brackets, easier to clean and less visually disruptive than conventional hardware.
• Broader, more natural finish. The Pitts21 prescription is designed to develop the full width of the smile, not just straighten the front teeth.

Who's a good candidate?

Pitts21 works well for most teens and adults who are candidates for fixed braces. It's particularly strong for:

• Adults who want braces but don't want traditional braces.
• Complex bite corrections where continuous tooth control matters (deep bites, open bites, significant rotations).
• Cases where a broader, fuller final smile is part of the clinical goal.
• Patients who prefer fewer, longer appointments over more frequent short ones.

Pitts21 is not the right answer for every case. Mild to moderate crowding or spacing in an adult may be better served by Spark™ Clear Aligners. Dr. Thompson evaluates every case individually and recommends the appliance system that will produce the best result for your bite and your timeline.

Typical treatment timeline

Comprehensive Pitts21 cases in adults typically finish in 12–18 months. Shorter cases — minor alignment, finishing work after previous treatment — may be faster. More complex skeletal or developmental cases may run longer. Dr. Thompson provides a written timeline estimate at your consultation based on your specific case.

What a course of treatment looks like

1. Complimentary consultation and clinical exam.
2. Records appointment — imaging and digital scans as clinically indicated.
3. Bonding visit — Pitts21 brackets are placed; you leave with active treatment underway.
4. Adjustment visits every 8–10 weeks. Most visits are 15–25 minutes.
5. Debond and retention — brackets come off, and we fit retainers to protect your new smile.

Pitts21 vs. Spark: how to choose

Both Pitts21 and Spark™ Clear Aligners are excellent modern treatments. The honest answer to "which should I choose" is: it depends on your case and your priorities.

• Choose Pitts21 for complex cases, for bite problems requiring continuous tooth control, or when you simply prefer to not have to remember to wear aligners.
• Choose Spark for milder cases where removability and maximum discretion are priorities, and when the clinical case is well-suited to aligner mechanics.
• Consult with Dr. Thompson — she'll tell you which system will produce the better clinical result for your specific bite, and why.

Why SmileHaus for Pitts21

Dr. Thompson plans every Pitts21 case personally and sees every patient at every visit. Pitts21 is a clinical system, not just an appliance — the bracket prescription, archwire sequencing, and force levels all have to be chosen thoughtfully for each case. That kind of personal attention is the whole point of SmileHaus.

Pitts21® is a trademark of OC Orthodontics. SmileHaus Orthodontics is a certified Pitts21 provider.