When I worked in 11 different offices, I noticed something strange. Everyone was doing the same thing. Taking insurance. Modifying treatment to fit what was covered. Neglecting what was truly best for patients. And I went along with it until I realized my patients and I deserved better. The turning point came when I inherited another doctor’s patients. I started offering aligners. Something the previous dentist never even mentioned. The reactions were mixed. Some patients called me a scammer....

I recently read a newsletter from Alex Hormozi talking about how customers want a thing (ham) but they actually need something else (garlic). And it is our job to navigate this. So I thought about how I could make it relate to dentistry and aligners. I came up with the following story... A patient begged his dentist for straighter teeth. The dentist said yes, but only if the patient promised to wear his retainers. Deal. A few months in, the patient panicked. The teeth weren’t tracking. “Add...

Most dentists fail to convert existing patients into aligner starts for one simple reason: they do not offer it. They fear the patient will ask, “Why did you not tell me this before?” But the truth is you just did not know how before. You are allowed to grow and improve. Here are 3 simple tactics to convert existing patients into aligner starts: Cracked teeth. If a patient is repeatedly fracturing molars, evaluate their bite. Even distribution of forces through alignment is the long-term fix....