Dentists often think they need more marketing to get more aligner starts. But the real hidden barrier? Your team. If your team isn’t engaged, excited, and aligned on the value of aligners, patients won’t move forward — no matter how good your pitch is. When I started training my team first (before pushing marketing), my starts went up immediately. To get your team on board: Involve them in the why behind aligners (not just the steps) Role-play common patient questions together Celebrate each...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Most dentists think patients say yes to aligners to get “straighter teeth.” But the real reasons? More confidence in photos and social situations Feeling younger and more professional Finally fixing something that’s bothered them for years When I started listening to the emotional reasons patients shared, my case acceptance doubled. If you want to connect better: Ask, “How would this change your daily life?” Listen for emotional cues, not just clinical answers Repeat their goals back to them...
12 days ago • 1 min read
We all know refinements eat up time and chair hours. But the real cost? Your confidence and your patient’s trust. Early on, I accepted any case that came my way — thinking multiple refinements were “just part of it.” I ended up stuck in endless revisions and frustrated patients asking, “Why isn’t this done yet?” When you start with the right cases and learn how to plan conservatively, you cut refinements dramatically. If you’re tired of refinements: Be strict with case selection early on...
19 days ago • 1 min read
I didn’t start offering aligners to make more money. I started because I wanted to feel excited about dentistry again. Adding aligners gave me a new sense of fulfillment. It made routine checkups more engaging. It opened the door to deeper conversations about health, esthetics, and preventive care. When I saw patients light up at the possibility of a better smile, it reignited my own passion. If you feel stuck or burnt out: Look for procedures that excite you and benefit your patients Start...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Most dentists think they need to learn everything before starting clear aligners. That belief keeps them stuck. I felt that way too. I didn’t touch a case for months after getting certified. Then a mentor gave me simple guardrails — and I started my first case the next week. That changed everything. If you’re not sure where to start, try this: Pick one patient who already asked about straightening their teeth Confirm they have healthy bone levels and mild crowding Look for cases with no...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
If you’re too busy to learn aligners — you’re too busy to grow. That used to be me. I’d come home exhausted. Telling myself I’d “figure it out later.” Later never came… until I carved out 30 minutes a week to focus. Fast forward six months — I had 50+ cases under my belt. Here’s how to make real progress in 30 minutes a week: Block 30 mins every Tuesday or Thursday (before the day starts or after lunch) Start by learning just one topic: case selection, scanning, or scripting Implement what...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
When patients say no to aligners, it’s rarely about money. It’s about trust. Early on, I quoted fees and hoped they’d say yes. But once I started asking better questions and explaining why it mattered, things changed. That's when most of my consults ended with a yes. Try these two shifts to improve your acceptance rate: Ask better questions. Instead of “do you want to straighten your teeth?” ask: “Has anyone ever mentioned your teeth are in an unhealthy position?” Frame the benefits around...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Most docs try to get aligners going on their own. Then feel frustrated when the team doesn’t support it. I was there too. I tried to do everything myself — scanning, educating, managing trays. My assistant was confused, my front desk forgot follow-ups, and cases stalled. When I finally trained my team the right way, everything changed. Here’s how to get your team on board fast: Start with a 15-min huddle: Explain why aligners matter (not just for you — but for patients) Front desk = follow-up...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Every dentist has one fear when starting aligners: “What if this goes wrong?” I remember my first case with rotations and black triangles. It didn’t go as planned. The patient expected perfection. I expected simplicity. We both left disappointed. Then I changed one thing: the way I set expectations. Now I use one simple script at every consult to align goals and avoid future surprises. Here’s the script: “We’re going to make a big difference in your smile — and sometimes, the plan needs to be...
2 months ago • 1 min read
