StraightSmile Solutions®
How to Turn your Dental Office to a Med Spa on Off Days
How to Turn your Dental Office to a Med Spa on Off Days
Introduction:
Meet Dr. Amanda, a dental professional with StraightSmile Solutions; today, she delves into transforming your dental office into a med spa. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Amanda addresses the growing trend of incorporating injectables like fillers and neurotoxins into dental practices. While emphasizing her non-affiliation with the discussed company, Cloud Med Spa, Dr. Amanda sheds light on a TurnKey approach offered by the company. Cloud Med Spa provides a comprehensive package, including software, product access, and the option for dental professionals to become injectors. Dr. Amanda highlights the potential benefits, such as additional revenue streams, increased foot traffic, and collaborative opportunities. Intrigued? Reach out to Dr. Amanda for more details on this innovative venture.
Section 1: The Untapped Potential for Dentists in Med Spa Services
● Recognition of dentists already offering injectables (fillers and neurotoxins) but often in an unsophisticated manner.
● Dr. Amanda’s curiosity was sparked by an orthodontic podcast discussing turning offices into med spas.
● Addressing the question of why general and pediatric dentists are not widely aware of this opportunity.
● Encouragement for dentists to explore the legal aspects of offering therapeutic and cosmetic neurotoxins in their state.
Section 2: Introducing Cloud Med Spa’s TurnKey Approach
● Introduction to Cloud Med Spa’s TurnKey approach and its potential benefits.
● Explanation of Cloud Med Spa’s offering: providing assets to transform existing dental offices on non-dentistry days.
● Emphasis on the additional revenue stream and increased foot traffic generated by aesthetic clients.
● Highlighting the potential for new patients to discover the dental services during their med spa visits.
Section 3: Understanding Cloud Med Spa’s Support
● Dr. Amanda’s commitment to sharing information learned from a recent call with Cloud Med Spa.
● Overview of the software, injectables, and neurotoxins provided by Cloud Med Spa to licensed dentists.
● Discussion on dentists’ role as injectors and the option to recruit RNs or physicians if they prefer not to be injectors.
● Clarification on the 1099 status of recruited RNs, emphasizing the flexibility of scheduling.
Section 4: Benefits and ROI of Cloud Med Spa
● Emphasis on the affordability of Cloud Med Spa’s services.
● Discussion on the potential return on investment, including revenue from rentals and product commissions.
● Pointing out the benefit of collective buying, reducing costs through crowdsourcing among participating dental offices.
● Highlighting the assistance provided by Cloud Med Spa in onboarding providers and managing vendor relationships.
Section 5: Additional Services and Conclusion
● Mentioning additional services such as preceptors, provider training, and vendor management.
● Acknowledging the strategic aspects of site management, software, and community building provided by Cloud Med Spa.
● Encouraging interested parties to contact Cloud Med Spa directly or reach out to Dr. Amanda for a direct referral.
● Reiteration of no financial incentives for Dr. Amanda and her enthusiasm for the potential of Cloud Med Spa.
Conclusion:
Dr. Amanda shares an intriguing opportunity for dental offices to venture into the world of medical spas with Cloud Med Spa. Emphasizing her lack of affiliation or financial incentives, she underscores the potential for dental practitioners already involved in injectables to optimize their space and increase revenue. The TurnKey approach offered by Cloud Med Spa provides software, product access, and a streamlined process for injecting services. With an affordable investment and the potential for significant returns, the initiative seems promising. Dr. Amanda highlights the benefits, from additional revenue streams to attracting new clients interested in both aesthetics and dental services. Interested practitioners are encouraged to reach out for more information, as Cloud Med Spa appears to offer a valuable and well-supported opportunity for dental offices.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 10th, 2024
10:15 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on How to Turn your Dental Office to a Med Spa on Off Days
Tags: med spa
Rapid vs Slow Turns with RPE and Schwartz
Rapid vs Slow Turns with RPE and Schwartz
When it comes to expansion cases, should you be using rapid or slow turns with RPE or Schwartz? There are benefits associated with both rapid and slow turns, and keeping this in mind is important to ensure that your orthodontics patient is fully aware of the process and that finishing cases is simple and low-risk.
The Challenges of Rapid Expansion
There are several potential orthodontics challenges with rapid expansion and turns in fixed cases, and this can make finishing cases comfortably and successfully difficult. One common issue is that patients who speak English as a second language may struggle to understand the rapid turns, which can lead to discomfort if they use too rapid turns. Additionally, in a handful of rare cases, there is a risk of excessively rapid turns being used as a punishment.
Benefits of Slow Turns
Slow turns can make finishing cases in orthodontics much slower, but there are numerous benefits associated with this. For one thing, this allows you to keep the same instructions for both removable and fixed expansion cases, regardless of whether you use RPE or Schwartz; this makes instructions much more consistent.
Slow turns can also lead to fewer risks and complications, while also preventing the large gap between the front teeth that can arise with rapid turns. This also helps provide gentle, more comfortable alignment.
Don’t forget, with slow turns especially, make sure you get the patient in regularly to check the frequency. In addition, all expander patients should have an appointment to follow up; never ghost an expander patient, as strange things can potentially happen.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 8th, 2024
7:58 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Rapid vs Slow Turns with RPE and Schwartz
Tags: rapid RPE expansion
Managing Second Opinions in Orthodontics Cases
Managing Second Opinions in Orthodontics Cases
In some cases, patients may seek a second opinion for their orthodontics treatment plans, and knowing how to tackle these cases is highly important to help inform your approach to second opinions in orthodontics cases. As such, we’ve outlined some key things you should know about second opinions as follows to help.
The Two Types of Second Opinions in Orthodontics
Getting involved with second opinions can be risky. Generally speaking, you may not want to give second opinions on other providers’ treatment plans and pricing, as everyone has their own approach to treatment planning, training, pricing, and the like.
You should always stick with the treatment plan and price point you are most comfortable with, and informing the patient of this is usually safe. However, you should avoid giving feedback on another doctor’s treatment plan or pricing directly, as this can lead to contentions and issues arising with the other provider. Ideally, don’t even look at the other provider’s notes to avoid potential liabilities.
Second Opinions on Consults
When patients come to you looking for a second opinion on a consult, they usually want either a better price or a different treatment plan. These consults are much like regular orthodontics consultations and you should treat them as such; however, don’t give feedback (especially not negative feedback) on someone else’s opinion to avoid getting into hot water.
Second Opinions on Orthodontic Work
If a patient comes into your office having already received orthodontic work, or if one of your patients who’s had ortho from your clinic seeks a second opinion, this can potentially be risky. Be very careful how you address these second opinion cases to avoid criticizing the other orthodontist.
In any case, you should never give a second opinion based on the patient’s statements alone; always make sure you have full records of the progress notes, treatment plans, and so on first, such as the ceph and panoramic X-rays. Moreover, if your patient visits another orthodontist for a second opinion, make sure you offer to support with any concerns they may have, in case this has cause them to approach someone new.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 7th, 2024
2:10 pm
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Managing Second Opinions in Orthodontics Cases
Tags: 2nd opinions
Invisalign Pay as you go Refinements in Australia
Invisalign Pay as you go Refinements in Australia
I. Introduction
Dr. Amanda discusses a new “pay as you go” refinements feature that Invisalign has launched in Australia. She is very excited about this as it provides significant savings for doctors and patients. She also financially incentivizes doctors to plan cases properly and ensure patients track properly to avoid needing refinements. The savings are substantial – the unlimited refinement plan is now AUD 1,400 cheaper. She then discusses the types of cases suitable for the 4-year no-refinement option. She estimates that for the “right case,” one could pay a similar price as an Invisalign Lite case but with the potential for hundreds of aligners. She hopes this program comes to the U.S. and Canada as well.
II. Invisalign Pricing Overview in Australia
A. Historical pricing issues
1. High costs and reasons speculated
B. Introduction of pay-as-you-go refinements
1. Comprehensive feature pricing reduction
a. Five-year unlimited refinements now at $3,738 Australian
2. Four-year no-refinement option for skilled doctors
a. Criteria for the right case
i. Class one without periodontal disease
ii. No Bolton discrepancy
iii. Mild to moderate crowding or spacing
iv. No rotated pre-molars or molars
v. No IPR, sequential distalization, or MA advancement feature
3. List price for pay-as-you-go refinements at $2,418
a. Additional 10% off for the next quarter
4. Flexibility and value comparison
a. Up to four years to complete a case for $385 (including tax)
III. Case Analysis and Considerations
A. Selecting the suitable case for pay-as-you-go refinements
1. Doctor’s skill and treatment planning expertise
2. Criteria for the ideal case
a. Class one alignment
b. Absence of periodontal disease
c. No Bolton discrepancy
d. Mild to moderate crowding or spacing
3. Avoiding IPR and sequential distalization
a. Reduced chances of needing refinements
4. Value proposition for doctors and patients
IV. Speculation on Future Availability
A. Beta testing in Australia
B. Hope for the introduction in the U.S. and Canada
C. Incentivizing proper treatment planning
1. Financial motivation for doing things right
2. Potential impact on the frequency of refinements
V. Conclusion
Dr. Amanda’s enthusiasm for the new pay-as-you-go refinements with Invisalign in Australia is well-founded and contagious. The launch addresses the longstanding issue of high Invisalign prices in Australia, offering a revolutionary approach to comprehensive features. The reduction in cost for the five-year unlimited refinements feature, now at $3,738 Australian, is significant. Dr. Amanda emphasizes the value of this option for skilled doctors handling straightforward cases without complications like periodontal disease or Bolton discrepancies. Introducing a four-year no-refinement option further streamlines the process, encouraging precise treatment planning. The discounted list price of $2,418, with an additional 10% off for the next quarter, adds to the allure. Dr. Amanda’s optimism extends beyond Australia, hoping for a global implementation that could revolutionize Invisalign practices worldwide.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 4th, 2024
12:01 pm
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Invisalign Pay as you go Refinements in Australia
Tags: australia, pay as you go
Using the Invisalign Apps on the App Store and the Google Play Store
Using the Invisalign Apps on the App Store and the Google Play Store
When it comes to Invisalign cases, being able to access the Invisalign app directly on your phone and use this effectively can be very helpful. However, there are many apps claiming to be Invisalign or for clear aligners, and it’s not always clear which app you need. As such, we’ve outlined some key things you should know as follows to help.
My Invisalign vs Invisalign Practice App: Which is Genuine?
To start with, it’s worth noting that there are two official Invisalign apps on the market: My Invisalign and the Invisalign Practice App. It’s easy to assume that one of these must be fake, but that’s not the case. In fact, these apps simply have different audiences.
The My Invisalign app is designed for patients to help guide them through their Invisalign journey. The patient app is incredibly well-received with hundreds of thousands of downloads and excellent reviews.
Meanwhile, as an orthodontist or a general dentist just starting out with orthodontics, you’ll want the Invisalign Practice App. Unfortunately, this app doesn’t have quite the same praise as the patient app, although it can offer useful features.
Should I Use the Invisalign App?
You don’t necessarily need to use the Invisalign app, but there are certain features that are exclusive on the app. For example, the photos system offers a range of unique features, so this is worth considering as an option for your orthodontics cases.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 2nd, 2024
11:20 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Using the Invisalign Apps on the App Store and the Google Play Store
Tags: invisalign apps
How to Treatment Plan Class II, Div II Growing Kids in Stages
How to Treatment Plan Class II, Div II Growing Kids in Stages
Have you ever wondered about how to treatment plan for kids with a Class 2, Div 2 malocclusion in stages? Knowing how to approach these different cases in your orthodontics treatment plans is highly important; luckily, our team here at Straight Smile Solutions can help.
As such, we’ve outlined some key things as follows to help you create an effective orthodontics treatment plan for Class 2, Div 2 growing kids; alternatively, contact us to book your own A La Carte session with our team for support.
How to Treatment Plan for Class 2, Div 2 Growing Kids
With Class 2, Div 2 growing kids, you’ll often see that the incisors are retroclined, which results in a hidden overjet of up to 9mm. However, sometimes with these cases (and this isn’t necessarily predictable), the lower jaw may grow if it still has growth potential, especially if you have simultaneously advanced the lower jaw.
As such, when making a treatment plan, be careful not to create a full treatment plan, as there is the potential that the orthodontic requirements may change.
When tackling Class 2, Div 2 cases with Invisalign with MA, you’ll usually find that they straighten the teeth initially, and the MA component only begins around halfway through the treatment plan. Similarly, if you are doing braces or expanders in Class 2, Div 2 patients, you’ll need to use the same approach.
As such, when starting out with these cases, it’s potentially worth starting with a little expansion (if they are constricted), before using a few top braces and seeing how things progress. The patient’s progression from this point will then influence how you tailor the treatment plan for their needs; you may find that this initial step is enough to trigger jaw growth alone, which is why it is not necessarily suitable to make a full treatment plan before ortho starts.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Mar 1st, 2024
10:35 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on How to Treatment Plan Class II, Div II Growing Kids in Stages
Tags: class 2 div 2
How Transitioning Hormone Therapy Influences Orthodontic Treatment Plans in Teens
Orthodontic Considerations in Young Non-Binary Patients Undergoing Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is an important part of the transition process for many young non-binary patients; however, this can potentially have implications on how you should create an appropriate orthodontics treatment plan for them. As such, today, we’re looking at how you can create a suitable orthodontics treatment plan by taking certain considerations into account during hormone therapy.
How Hormone Therapy Influences Orthodontic Treatment Plans
Hormone therapy for non-binary patients can have several impacts on clinical management in orthodontics cases. As such, if you have a non-binary patient who is undergoing hormone therapy, you may want to take a few considerations into account.
For one thing, it’s potentially advisable to get a primary care release from the primary care physician overseeing the patient’s transition if the patient is on hormone therapy. This is especially true in growth modification, vertical correction, or expansion cases, when such are directly or indirectly related to puberty and hormone changes. As such, working alongside the patient’s physician is crucial to ensure that your treatment timing is suitable.
In addition, it’s worth considering that the suspensions that the patient will be taking during their hormone therapy can have side effects, such as high blood pressure and impaired liver function (among others). Discussing the potential side effects of the patient’s primary care provider can help you determine a suitable treatment plan that won’t place additional pressure on the patient.
Overall, treatment timing and getting a medical release from the patient’s physician is important before starting orthodontics to inform your treatment planning appropriately.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Feb 29th, 2024
9:31 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on How Transitioning Hormone Therapy Influences Orthodontic Treatment Plans in Teens
Tags: hormone, transgeneder
What are the Risks of Double Power Chain?
What are the Risks of Double Power Chain?
Have you ever wondered about the risks associated with doing double power chain in your braces cases? Generally speaking, you will only need to use double power chain in a very small number of cases; however, knowing about the potential risks is highly important.
What Patients Can Have a Double Power Chain?
Double power chains should always be used carefully to avoid causing damage to a patient’s bite or roots. As such, you should not attempt to use it in deep bite patients (always fix the vertical first) or in patients who have anterior contacts, as this can cause issues due to the significant levels of force. However, patients who have incredibly dense bone and/or long tooth roots may be suitable for a double power chain, especially if the regular power chain is moving slowly.
If a patient is asking for a double power chain because they want two colors, consider offering them snake power chain instead. This is no more powerful than regular power chain but involves weaving the chain up and down over the brackets, giving you roughly the same fast results as normal braces without excessive force.
Potential Risks of Double Power Chain
There are several possible risks associated with double power chain. For one thing, the excessive levels of force (which is why double power chains may be used in fast braces cases) can potentially result in damage to the roots, which is why case selection is so crucial. In addition, double power chains can be a nightmare when it comes to hygiene.
You should also keep in mind that not all brackets can necessarily handle double power chain. We generally recommend using 022 slots over 018 slots because the higher profile typically gives better results.
If you’re unsure about whether a patient will be suitable for double power chains, contact our friendly team here at Straight Smile Solutions for further support. We’re proud to offer packages for general dentists just getting started in the ortho field, and we can help you decide on the most appropriate treatment plans for your fast braces cases.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Feb 29th, 2024
9:30 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on What are the Risks of Double Power Chain?
Tags: double power chain
Using the Sleep Disorder Breathing (SDB) Form
Using the Sleep Disorder Breathing (SDB) Form
When it comes to pediatric ortho cases, ensuring you are using the correct paperwork is hugely important – and as part of this, knowing when to use an SDB, or sleep disorder breathing, form is crucial.
When Should You Use a Sleep Disorder Breathing Form During Orthodontic Consulting?
As part of your orthodontic consulting services, you should not necessarily provide an SDB form in the initial packet that you provide all prospective clients, since this form needs to come with very specific instructions before it is filled out. As such,
If you have a regular Class I patient with plenty of space between the teeth with normal facial anatomy and who isn’t struggling with sleep disorder breathing, they will not need to complete this form. However, if a patient does experience difficulties with breathing during sleep, the parents will need to dedicate several evenings to filling out the form. Crucially, they should be looking for factors such as mouth breathing, sleeping noises, and the like.
If you observe mouth breathing while the child is in the office, or if there is anterior openbite, crowding, a constricted upper arch, a long face, a gummy smile, speech issues, or any other red flags, you will likely want to prescribe the SDB form. In addition, if the parent has expressed any concerns about their child’s breathing, this is worth investigating.
Ensure Parents Dedicate Enough Time to Completing the Form
Making sure parents are aware of what they should be looking for when assessing their child’s sleep is crucial. In addition, during the initial orthodontic consulting session, ensure the parents check the child several times throughout the night over several nights; this helps give a more balanced understanding of how the child breathes during a typical night’s sleep.
Remember: most parents won’t necessarily observe their children closely during sleep, so encouraging them to check their child regularly during sleep is vital. If appropriate, filming the child’s sleep can help give a clearer impression.
Don’t panic if you haven’t prescribed the SDB form during the initial orthodontic consulting session. Indeed, when developing your treatment plan, there’s no harm in asking the parent to complete an SDB form later to get the extra information – which can help inform your treatment plan design more accurately.
Contact Us for Our SDB Form
We are thrilled to be able to offer our SDB form free to clients who have worked with us in the recent past, be it attending one of our webinars or booking a package directly with our team. As such, if you’ve been on one of our webinars in the past week, or if you’ve done an A La Carte session with us over the last seven days, make sure to drop us an email to request your copy of our SDB form. Plus, if you’re on one of our ongoing plans, we can offer this form for free at any time during your plan.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Feb 28th, 2024
8:16 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Using the Sleep Disorder Breathing (SDB) Form
Tags: SDB Form
Should you do a RPE on a Pediatric Patient with Daily Nosebleeds
Should you do a RPE on a Pediatric Patient with Daily Nosebleeds
I. Introduction
Dr. Amanda from StraightSmile Solutions answers a question she received regarding whether it is safe to use an expander for orthodontic treatment in a child who experiences regular nosebleeds. She explains that daily nosebleeds are not normal and the child should first be seen by their primary care physician to rule out any underlying pathology. She notes that there are many potential causes of nosebleeds, ranging from dry climate to allergies to mouth breathing. However, before proceeding with any orthodontic treatment involving expanders and distraction osteogenesis, which breaks the jaw, the nosebleeds must be evaluated and cleared by the primary care doctor or ENT. Dr. Amanda stresses the importance of following this chain of command before orthodontic treatment so as not to put the child at risk if there is an unidentified bleeding disorder or condition present. She advises against treating these patients without clearance from the primary care physician first.
II. Medical Concerns
A. Distraction osteogenesis and its relation to breaking the jaw and forming new bone
B. Potential dangers if there is an existing pathology or regular hemorrhaging
C. Collaboration with a friend, a dentist with extensive experience in pediatric orthodontics and interaction with ENTs
III. Expert Response
A. Daily nose bleeding is not considered normal in children
B. Primary physician as the first point of contact
1. Referral process and follow-up
2. Importance of keeping the primary care physician informed
C. Dry climates and commonality of daily nose bleeds, influenced by humidity
D. Medications, constipation, diet, congestion, post nasal drip, allergies, and mouth breathing as potential causes
IV. Diagnostic Measures
A. Nasal patency test to assess airflow through the nose
B. Lateral symmetric X-ray to identify adenoids
C. Panoramic x-ray for assessing turbinates and septum issues
D. CBCT for airway analysis and sending to specialists for further examination
E. Sleep pediatric SDB questionnaire to identify potential sleep-related issues
F. Referral to an allergist if congestion or allergies are suspected
V. Professional Recommendations
A. Priority is given to physiologic concerns over orthodontic expansion
B. Advice to stick to the Primary Care First, Ortho second approach
C. Importance of obtaining proper releases from primary care or ENT before proceeding with orthodontic treatment
D. Discouraging treatment if parents fail to follow recommended procedures
VI. Conclusion
Dr. Amanda from StraightSmile Solutions provides invaluable insights into a complex query about children with nosebleeds and the use of expanders for orthodontic reasons. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing daily nosebleeds as abnormal, she wisely advises a systematic approach. Collaborating with a knowledgeable friend with extensive pediatric orthodontic experience, she underscores the significance of involving primary physicians and ENT specialists in the decision-making process. Dr. Amanda’s prudent guidance, rooted in patient safety, reinforces the necessity of addressing medical concerns before pursuing orthodontic interventions, showcasing her commitment to comprehensive and responsible healthcare.
Posted by
dramanda
on
Feb 28th, 2024
8:09 am
Posted in
Blog |
Comments Off on Should you do a RPE on a Pediatric Patient with Daily Nosebleeds
Tags: nosebleeds, RPE