OrthoFX has released FXIntegrated Buttons, a new aligner feature designed to eliminate the need for bonding and improve treatment efficiency.
OrthoFX has announced the launch of FXIntegrated Buttons, a new clear aligner feature where buttons are completely formed within the aligner material. Debuting at the 2026 American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session in Orlando, Florida, the product is designed to improve treatment process efficiency by reducing chair time and enhancing aligner durability.
Unlike traditional bonded buttons or welded alternatives, FXIntegrated Buttons are manufactured as one continuous piece directly from the company’s proprietary aligner polymers, which include AirFlex, FXClear, and FXBright. This design eliminates the need for adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or precision cuts.
Conventional methods for achieving complex tooth movements often require bonding composite or metal buttons to the tooth surface, which can necessitate cutouts that compromise the aligner’s physical integrity, says the company. Direct slits cut into aligners are also susceptible to deformation under elastic force. OrthoFX designed the integrated true one-piece buttons to solve these challenges and prevent button failure.
“At OrthoFX, we are driven by innovation to eliminate the everyday frustrations clinicians encounter with aligner therapy,” says Rick Matty, chief operating officer and president of OrthoFX, in a release. “Our FXIntegrated Buttons are formed directly from the aligner material as one continuous piece—no bonding, no weak points. This delivers enhanced durability, removes bonding steps, reduces unplanned visits, and gives patients a noticeably more comfortable experience.”
Clinical and Patient Benefits
The integrated design aims to reduce chair time by removing in-office bonding and debonding procedures. According to the company, the buttons are engineered to withstand up to 10 lb of force, which is approximately 20 times the force of typical extra-heavy elastics.
The system also allows for multidirectional elastic vectors on labial, lingual, and interproximal surfaces without interfering with optimal tooth attachment placement. For patients, the design removes added bulk and rough edges, which may result in greater comfort and easier elastic application, says the company.
“My patients love the switch from traditional bonded buttons to FXIntegrated Buttons,” says Neil Warshawsky, DDS, MS, orthodontist and director of orthodontics at the UIC Craniofacial Center, in a release. “They are far more comfortable, eliminate emergency repair appointments, and give me the freedom to place buttons interproximally while keeping attachments in their optimal positions. It’s a genuine improvement in both clinical efficiency and patient experience.”
Launch and Availability
FXIntegrated Buttons will be showcased at the AAO Annual Session in Orlando, from May 1 to May 3, 2026. The feature will be available for all OrthoFX aligner systems beginning in early summer 2026.
Photo: OrthoFX
