If you have been looking to start a Phase 1 treatment plan for your patients, we here at Straight Smile Solutions can help. With this thought in mind, we’re looking at how you can potentially integrate the different types of Phase 1 retainers and how these might work for your unique needs.
Why You Might Need to Do a Phase 1 Treatment Plan
One of the first things you should keep in mind is why you might want to do a Phase 1 treatment plan in the first case. When ortho starts, Phase 1 can be useful for cases such as fixing bites, crowding, straightening the front teeth, and cosmetic purposes, to name a few. With these treatment plans, though, it is crucial to keep in mind that this is only a short-term solution to prepare patients for Phase 2 treatments.
Types of Phase 1 Retainers for When Ortho Starts
Once you’ve determined that a patient needs Phase 1 retainers, you’ll want to choose the correct type of retainer. Some of our favorites here at Straight Smile Solutions (based on the amazing designs offered by ODL) include:
– Theroux Phase 1 Retainer (thicker than many regular retainers – covers the front ¾ teeth with a hollowed area to allow teeth to come in and out)
– Lingual Retainer (used with permanent teeth, can be customized with mesh pads on each tooth to help prevent moving the teeth)
– EG Appliances (expensive but offer incredibly versatile Phase 1 retainers)
– Myofunctional Retainer (highly affordable retainers, ideal for bite point or maintaining transverse cases and the like)
One important point to note here is that Invisalign isn’t necessarily offering Phase 1 retention after the Phase 1 treatment itself. It’s also worth noting that some retainers can be modified before ortho starts, with some lab work to create Phase 1 retainers for a much more affordable price.
It’s worthwhile to see Phase 1 patients every few months after ortho starts to ensure that things are progressing as normal and that your patients are wearing their retainer properly.
Final Thoughts
If you have been looking to create an orthodontics treatment plan for your patients using Phase 1 retainers, but you’re struggling to see which might be the best fit, don’t hesitate to contact our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions for further advice. Our personalized consulting solutions are designed with your unique requirements in mind!

When it comes to orthodontics, it’s critical to understand when you will need multiple expanders – and this is always important to recognize and mention for your patients during initial consultations when ortho starts. After all, you want to create the optimal treatment plan for your patients – but it’s critical to know which type of expansion you’ll need to focus on successfully finishing cases.
How Serial and Sequential Expansion Apply to Interceptive Orthodontics
When it comes to orthodontics, it’s crucial to consider whether the patient will need to have several expanders. This issue may be seen in patients with a small maxilla or a vaulted palette, to name just a few potential causes.
Often, this may be based on the lab’s choice of jack screw diameter. Ideally, the lab should use a slim design to allow a flush fit to the roof of the mouth. However, as the size increases, the appliance will begin to sit lower in the mouth, and this can cause potential issues in more severe cases.
Once you have exhausted all of the possible turns for an expander in a patient, you may need to remove the expander, rescan, and create a new appliance. Make sure you keep the expander fitted while waiting for the new expander to arrive to prevent a relapse before finishing cases.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking to create a suitable treatment plan for your patients, letting them know at the outset when ortho starts about how things are likely to progress is vital. This is a crucial part of many patients’ treatment plans, especially when dealing with tricky cases.

Marketing Your Dentist Consultation Services with Lemon8

It’s all well and good to master the basics of orthodontics – but without clients, you’ll never be able to establish a strong and lasting dental clinic. Fortunately, though, there are plenty of simple marketing options for your dentist consultation services – and Lemon8 is one of the fastest growing platforms to market your orthodontics.
What is Lemon8?
Lemon8 is one of the newest social media platforms on the market, and while it’s not necessarily as flashy as many of the other sites, there’s a certain charm to its model that’s taking the world by storm.
Lemon8 is a sister site to TikTok, but its service is very different. While there is the opportunity to upload videos to posts, for example, this isn’t the core focus of the site; instead, Lemon8 focuses primarily on very short-form text-based content. The platform is heavily focused on hashtags, in particular, helping make it a useful resource for marketing in particular.
Is Lemon8 Worth It for Dentist Consultation Providers?
It’s hard to say whether Lemon8 will be a big hit for orthodontics providers, but as a brand new platform, there’s a brilliant opportunity right now to really embrace a new, exciting, and innovative platform. After all, while standing out from the crowd can be hard on other platforms, this is pretty easy still with Lemon8 due to the relatively lower numbers of people on the platform so far. What better time to get involved?
Setting up is incredibly easy, and getting started only takes an hour or so (including networking); as such, it’s well worth signing up to see whether this could boost your results.
Find Out More About Growing your Orthodontics Business
If you’ve been looking for ways to expand your dentist consultation business, there’s a lot you’ll need to keep in mind – and utilizing platforms such as Lemon8 can definitely be a big boost.
With this thought in mind, make sure you have given the platform a try if you need to expand you’re reach. After all, Lemon8 is rapidly growing as one of TikTok’s biggest sister platforms, and while the same company owns it, it offers all new opportunities as a result.

What Is the “Double It” Philosophy in Clear Aligners?
In this article, we want to explore the “double it philosophy” in an Invisalign case and the triple it philosophy in a ClearCorrect case. Why is this so?
The default movement per Invisalign aligner is 0.25 millimeters. For ClearCorrect the figure is 0.3 to 0.35 depending on what they do. ClearCorrect aligners are aggressive and they take bigger leaps in between. The problem is the bigger the problems is the revision refinement rate goes up exponentially the more your leaps are in between aligners. The best practice is to double it and take my movements down to 0.12 to 0.15.
Whether you are working with ClearCorrect or Invisalign, you should double or triple your movements. You might want to include that in your preferences but obviously the aligner companies lose money and they would not favor it. However, this is not the case since revision refinement rates fall tremendously assuming that you have put your patient on an accountability loop, you had picked a good case and you’ve had optimized the clint check or the treatment plan. There are a few other variables in there so obviously you can’t just double it and assume it’s always going to track because if you don’t create an accountability loop with the patient they may not be wearing it.
If Invisalign demands that your setup be 15 aligners, work with 30 aligners. If Invisalign recommends 15 aligners, work with 45. Orthodontists will probably tell you that an Invisalign case requires 40, 50 or 60 aligners whereas most GP doctors would prefer 20 aligners. Well the main goal is to optimize your clint check, do zero-revision refinements which saves me a lot of time getting the patient to remove buttons, rescanning and redoing buttons. Additionaly, the patient will be happier if you get the measurements correct on the first go.
You can opt for seven day changes and if somehow the patient is compliant but they still complain about the aligners getting loose after day four you can opt for more frequent changes. Another option is to maintain a five day routine where the patients can switch their aligners more often which is healthier and cleaner for them. This also keeps the forces slow and low which is healthier for the gums roots and bones. The aligner company which will spend a little bit more money on your case but it doesn’t affect it. Less frequent changes mean you get to save time; your patient is more satisfied because they don’t need more revisions and refinements and you get better reviews from your patients.
Five-day changes also mean that the aligner provider gets to spend more money on each Invisalign case, but if your refinement rate is between 5% and 10% and the GP’s refinement rate is 80%, the aligners will cost them less in the end if they work with you
In Invisalign, there is a way that you can check your refinement analytics. If you want to check out how to do a refinement analytics on Invisalign cases, you can head over to my YouTube channel. Refinement analytics is very helpful and it’s the first thing you should check when you work with doctors whereby anything over 30% is unacceptable and anything above 10% is not right. You can also implement an accountability loop with your patients using virtual resources. Invisalign now has their virtual check-in app completely free so that your patients can check in every week from home. You can give your patients the whole box of aligners and make them check in every week.

The Relationship Between Bedwetting and Orthodontics

Bedwetting – it’s one of those issues that so many of us with young children end up struggling with at some point, but it’s not an impossible challenge to overcome. However, many people fail to recognize the relationship between bedwetting and orthodontics – and we here at Straight Smile Solutions are on hand to help highlight this connection.
How are Orthodontics and Bedwetting Linked?
Orthodontics and bedwetting might seem like very different topics – but there may actually be a surprising connection between the two.
Of course, if you have to ask your patients about this topic, it’s worth broaching it gently. Indeed, many patients – and their parents, potentially – may be embarrassed to discuss this topic. However, research suggests that rapid maxillary expansion may help resolve bedwetting cases. Fortunately, through orthodontics and arch/palette expansions, you may be able to help open the airways and reduce the chances of bedwetting occurring.
However, addressing the issues can potentially make a big difference to a child’s ability to sleep through the night without bedwetting. As such, if there could be a connection here for your patients, their parents will definitely appreciate it.
Find Professional Support for your Orthodontics Cases at Straight Smile Solutions
We here at Straight Smile Solutions understand a thing or two when it comes to orthodontics – and our experts can help you find the ideal solutions for your own patients’ cases. So, if you need any support with this, don’t hesitate to contact our experts for a private consultation. Don’t forget to suggest that your patients also contact a sleep physician to help further.

What You Should Know About Posterior Openbite for Invisalign Cases

Have you ever had a posterior openbite case during Invisalign and clear aligner cases? Working out how to handle a posterior openbite in Invisalign cases, it’s always important to keep in mind that every situation is unique. Nevertheless, there are options you could consider to help resolve these Invisalign cases efficiently and effectively, overall.

Handling posterior openbite cases in Invisalign or clear aligner clients takes a certain level of time, care, and attention to detail since this often won’t be a quick two-minute case. However, once you’ve worked out the etiology of the openbite, you can tailor the Invisalign and clear aligner service to match.

Some of the critical causes of posterior openbite cases include:

• Unilateral vs. bilateral
• CRCO shifts
• Habit forming
• Airway issues
• Bruxism
• Anterior contact interference

These are just a few of the potential causes of posterior openbite – and without fixing the initial problems first – you’ll struggle to change the entire situation.

When handling these cases, make sure you’ve always checked the contacts closely first; premature contacts won’t work with elastics, for example. Make sure any interference is removed or out of the way before continuing. Retraction of the lower incisors is often one of the most common options for this scenario.

Remember: Each Case is Unique

Handling a posterior openbite for your Invisalign or clear aligner cases doesn’t need to be a major headache. However, there are multiple options you could consider, and this can help you handle posterior openbite cases with greater success rates and fewer revisions.

So, make sure you start with a thorough assessment of each patient, and if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions to book a dental consultation with one of our staff.

Figuring out which iTero to get and how to afford an iTero scanner can be tricky, but we have all the answers on iTero. But fear not, if you haven’t seen us answer the iTero question you’ve been pondering, feel free to ask us at any time! Today, we’ll be discussing another aspect of purchasing an iTero scanner to answer the question—What about buying a refurbished iTero scanner?

In this article, we will discuss the tips, tricks, and risks of purchasing a refurbished iTero product to give you a full overview of the pros and cons. Let’s get right into it!

If you’re looking to buy a used iTero scanner, do not purchase from another person. Instead, purchase directly from the iTero company and make sure that you will be receiving service, updates, and are working with the company directly. Without doing so, you won’t be guaranteed any of the above, making an iTero scanner not worth it.

We’ve also heard that refurbished iTero scanners have been cheaper toward the end of the year. While iTero doesn’t confirm their pricing, last December people reported major deals on their iTero 2 purchases. All in all, refurbished iTeros are a decent option as long as you make sure iTero will continue to service and update your scanner. Be sure to get it in writing, too!

There are a few downsides to the iTero 2, but if you can get it much cheaper and refurbished, having an iTero scanner can be a great benefit for your business. If you’re still unsure between the iTero 2 and the iTero 5, you should try them out! Attend a show, see what features you like, and make sure that you aren’t just making the investment to make the investment.

You want to get life out of your scanner, so make the most of your research period before paying for an iTero scanner!

As a dental student, it is important to focus on gaining knowledge and honing clinical skills and keep an eye on the financial aspect of your education. The return on investment (ROI) of your dental degree depends on the quality of education and the financial decisions you make during and after your studies. To maximize your ROI at graduation, you need to start planning and taking action early on.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Create personal and professional social media accounts: Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to share your interests, experiences, and knowledge in dentistry. Be consistent with your posts and engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
2. Start a YouTube channel: Creating informative and engaging videos about dental topics can help you reach a wider audience and showcase your expertise.
3. Connect with dentists and companies in the industry: Building relationships with other dental professionals and companies can help you learn from their experiences and potentially lead to job opportunities in the future.
4. Create patient FAQs: Anticipating and answering common patient questions can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field and help potential patients feel more comfortable with you as their dentist.
5. Take advantage of resources like Street Smile Solutions: They offer a free support session for every D4 dental student upon graduation within 90 days of graduation in the US or Canada. This can provide valuable guidance and support as you start your career in dentistry.

Spend 10-15 minutes daily growing your brand by creating personal and professional Instagram accounts and connecting with potential patients and people in the community where you want to practice. Straight Smile Solutions offers a free support session for D4 Dental students upon graduation within 90 days of graduation in the US or Canada.

iTero scanners can be incredibly valuable to your practice for starting Invisalign. However, there are multiple options for you to choose from, and each iTero type has different features and pricing. Unfortunately, iTero is somewhat secretive with their pricing, preferring to offer demos when offering quotes for the cost of their machine.

Not quite ready for a demo? We’ve compiled information from various doctors to bring you all you need to know before purchasing an iTero scanner for your office.
How Much Does iTero Cost?

There seems to be at least a couple different factors that can lead to varying quotes given to doctors for iTero scanners. The first factor is location/region, and the second suspected reason is Invisalign rank, and potential number of Invisalign cases handled by your office.

In most offices, an iTero Element Plus or iTero Element 5D will cost around $37,000 to $41,000. Machines with amenities such as larger screens, portable options, etc. will come with price add-ons that you should also be aware of. Additional support fees should also be expected, which can come out to $21,000 for 5 years.

If you already have a scanner, you can expect a discount through a trade-in program if eligible. Trading in can help to reduce costs some. Tips for the scanner are also an additional cost, which are $5 per tip for the iTero Element 5D, which can add up.

For those looking for a scanner only for restorative and aligner work, the iTero Element 2 is a slightly cheaper option at around $21,000 before the support costs. iTero also has a convenient try it to buy it option, which is a 90-day program to try and consider a lower option before upgrading, or vice versa.

Can Associates Use Straight Smile Solutions Dental Consulting?

Here at Straight Smile Solutions, we endeavor to provide professional, reliable, and thorough dental consulting services for all of our orthodontic clients – however, if you’re an associate, you may have wondered whether these services might also be available for your needs. If this is something you’ve been wondering, don’t worry; we’ve outlined some key things you should know about our dental consulting services and availability to help.
Do I Need to Be a Consultant to Use Straight Smile Solutions?
Do you need to be an orthodontic dentist to utilize Straight Smile Solutions dental consulting? No, not at all! No matter the dynamics of your practice or requirements, we’re happy to help out all of our clients with anything they might need – because if you ask us, you deserve the best psosible solutions.
Now, it’s worth considering here that we can offer a free call with all new clients – whether you’re an associate or an orthodontist already – to help you ascertain how our support can help. We also offer various plans and packages depending on your requirements, helping tailor your dental consulting better. Simply head to our Contact Page and schedule your free phone call today!
Final Thoughts
If you’re an associate – especially one looking to start orthodontic services – having someone by your side to help can really help. Luckily, we here at Straight Smile Solutions can help, so if you need dental consulting support, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you’re an associate needing help or an owner-doctor looking to train an associate, there’s a lot to love.
So, don’t face difficult cases alone! Whether you’re looking for a one-off plan or an ongoing subscription, we can help optimize your strategy overall.