Most dentists get stuck in idea overload. They write down every thought, attend CE courses, and collect pages of notes. But nothing actually changes in the practice. I know because I used to do the same thing. I would fill notebooks with “good ideas” and then let them sit. It felt exciting at first, but eventually it became overwhelming. What I learned is simple: ideas only matter if you execute on them. Here are 3 rules that helped me shift from hoarding ideas to creating results: 1. One...
20 days ago • 2 min read
I used to watch minor cracks and crowding “just to be safe.” I thought waiting meant I was being conservative. One patient came back six months later with a cracked molar. She asked me, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” That question stung. I realized “waiting” wasn’t protecting my patients — it was protecting my own fears. If you’re stuck, try this instead: Diagnose what you see clearly and early Explain risks of delaying treatment in simple language Give patients all the info so they can...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Most dentists overcomplicate aligner conversations. I used to do the same. I’d say things like “We could straighten your teeth” or “It’s an option if you’re interested.” Sounds harmless, right? But those words signal uncertainty and make patients feel like it’s not important. Once I started confidently saying, “We need to correct your crowding to protect your teeth long-term,” everything changed. Patients listened. They understood it wasn’t just cosmetic — it was health-driven. If you’re not...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Most dentists avoid aligners because they’re afraid of refinements, upset patients, or getting stuck on complex cases. I was there too. After getting certified, I sat on the sidelines for months. I told myself I needed to “learn more” before starting. Truth is, you learn faster by doing — with the right support and simple first cases. Remember - you’re moving teeth with plastic over an 8 month period… not doing surgery or drilling straight down into their teeth with a high speed burr. You’re...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
I used to wait for patients to ask about aligners. Then I made one change: we started scanning every hygiene patient. It seems small, but it created instant awareness and opened doors for conversations we never had before. We didn’t “sell” — we educated. Patients started asking questions and seeing their own crowding on the scans. If you want to try this: Train your team to scan every hygiene patient by default Show patients their scans right away — let them ask questions Have a simple...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
I see it all the time. Docs get excited and jump into tough cases first — severe crowding, major bite changes, or posterior crossbites. Crazy stuff. Why? Because we weren’t taught that there are LEVELS to ortho cases. I did the same. My first few cases took forever and needed tons of refinements. I lost confidence fast. When I started focusing on simple cases — mild crowding, no big bite changes — my confidence (and case acceptance) skyrocketed. If you’re just starting: Stick to mild anterior...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Most dentists see aligners as a revenue booster. But the real ROI? Patient loyalty. Case acceptance in other areas. Better overall oral health outcomes. When patients see you as the doc who helps them feel confident and healthy, they stay. They refer. They trust your recommendations beyond aligners. Take a second and think about what happens when 1 patient starts treatment with you. They leave and live their life. They go to dinners with friends. At the dinner they take out their aligners and...
2 months ago • 1 min read
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...
2 months 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...
3 months ago • 1 min read
