Answers to Common Questions About StraightSmile Solutions®
Note: StraightSmile Solutions supports dentists and independent dental labs that service private-practice dentists and DSOs but does not support direct-to-consumer operations at this time.
1. What is StraightSmile Solutions®? Is it an orthodontics course?
The world’s first customizable, digital, orthodontic education. Just pay for what you need!
Basic Straightwire Mechanics
IPR
IntraOral Elastics
Orthodontic Photography
Case Selection and Treatment Planning
Customized, learn as you go, on your own time with a built-in feedback and accountability loop for team members. Please email us for details and for a customized proposal. Discounts for group practices.
2. What makes StraightSmile Solutions® different from other orthodontic coaching systems?
As compared to other orthodontic coaching service providers, StraightSmile Solutions is a full-time business. We are independent and not run alongside a clinical practice. We commit our full energy to coach and support our doctors. We pride ourselves on lightning-fast service and responsiveness. We also are not limited to any particular orthodontic system so we’ll support you on any system on the market except DTC.
StraightSmile Solutions is time and cost-efficient. Our services are available exclusively online. Of the over 218,000 general dentists in the U.S., most have little to no formal, educational training in orthodontics. Those who do seek training often have to resort to expensive and time-consuming weekend services. You learn on the job through trial and error, but those errors can be expensive and unfortunate for both patients and doctors. We aim to fill the gap in the market for quality and efficient coaching to provide valuable solutions for doctors and teams and subsequent positive outcomes in the quality of patient care.
Regarding Pediatric Airway- here’s our position-
Orthodontics is Airway, and Airway is Orthodontics.They are inherently inseparable, and airway health drives our interceptive orthodontic protocols.
However, we approach this strictly from asafe, evidence-based orthodontic perspective. Many popular commercial courses advocate for aggressive “airway interventions” before a child’s first permanent molars erupt. Treating patients in that specific development window without a grounded orthodontic framework is considered below the standard of care and introduces unnecessary legal liability. We prioritize structural safety alongside airway development to protect both the patient and the practice. Learn more about our pediatric expansion case support.
Looking to get certified by a new system? We can help introduce you to the new brand and get you set-up.
3. I am not a general or pediatric dentist. Can I use StraightSmile Solutions®?
StraightSmile Solutions’ primary focus is to coach and educate PCDs but as long as you are a licensed dentist, you are welcome to utilize our coaching services.
4. How are coaching sessions conducted? What times are available for zoom sessions?
Our founder, Dr. Amanda Wilson personally conducts every coaching session. Our portal is completely digital and paperless and fully HIPAA-compliant. We offer highly customizable options for communication to suit your needs.
Our primary channels of instruction are via phone conference calls, HIPAA-Compliant Video Chat™ and HIPAA-Compliant messaging portal but we also have hands-on courses. Explore our orthodontic training classes to learn more.
We recommend that every doctor starts with theConcierge plan or VIP plansince the support is unlimited and allows you to communicate in many flexible ways and the communication is with all team members. The Premium plan is only 10 messages a month. Doctors who use the VIP or Concierge plans most efficiently can scale six-figures in as little as six months.
Our A-La-Carte sessions are for doctors who just have an occasional question and are subject to mutual availability. We do travel often for networking and lecture opportunities, so zoom meetings are prioritized for monthly VIP, Concierge and Premium Monthly members during these times. If you are looking for IMMEDIATE service, we recommend the Concierge plan, there will be up to a 2-3 weeks wait to schedule an A-La-Carte session once you’ve assembled all your records.
Our zoom sessions for A-La-Carte, VIP and Concierge are not available 24/7. Usually, they are available after 1pm EST and into the evening for east-coast doctors. If you live in the East Coast and need MORNING meetings, this is probably not the right program for you. Our secure mail messages can be sent 24/7 and are answered within 24 hours for VIP and Concierge doctors, though. We do travel to lecture and visit doctors and take CE classes, so when we are traveling there will be no zoom sessions available for up to a week but the secure mail is always open 24/7, 365 days a year.
A-La-Carte Credits expire 365 Days from the Date of Purchase. If they are not redeemed, they will expire. It is YOUR responsibility to initiate the use of the credit by emailing us [email protected] you are ready. There are no refunds for expired or unused credits.
We are NO longer accepting any old credits for FREE A-La-Carte cases through Dr. Simon Wong or Dr. Mark Costes and DSN. Those have expired. Thank you for your understanding.
An A-La-Carte Case is a ONE time meeting for ONE case.Please have ALL your records ready. If you aren’t sure if it’s an appropriate case, please email us to ask first. If we meet on our zoom session and it’s determined in the first 3 minutes that the case isn’t appropriate and the session is ended within the first 3 minutes, you’ll get a credit for a future case, but if the meeting extends beyond a few minutes, there is no future credit, so it’s better to reach out to us FIRST before purchasing if you aren’t sure. DO NOT EMAIL records, the email will not be read and will be promptly deleted. This is NOT HIPAA compliant.
The A-La-Carte case is only to TREATMENT PLAN the case, it doesn’t include check-ins or other visits, refinements, RPE checks, invisalign Checks or any other follow-up sessions. You will need to purchase a 2nd A-la-Carte case for that or consider the Concierge or VIP Plan.
Hooked on A La Carte? Let’s Skip the Paperwork! Our automated checkout system gets a little overprotective and thinks it’s fraud if you try to buy multiple individual sessions back-to-back. If you want to keep the momentum going with another session, don’t stress the checkout page. Simply email us and say “Sign me up again!” We will handle the rest behind the scenes so you can focus entirely on your cases.
If you are missing a record (EG- a ceph, a SDB form, ENT or OMT release or a perio clearance) and we can’t finish the A-La-Carte session and we have used <10 minute, we can finish the session at another time without additional costs. It is your responsibility to keep your eye on the timing and to come prepared with all necessary records. If you use your whole 20 minute time limit or come late, there will be an additional fee to finish the session.
If the case is a “slam dunk” and you did everything perfectly and if we finish the meeting in <3 minutes, I’ll give you a credit for another case.
Our zoom sessions are NOT on video, this allows Dr. Amanda the ultimate in flexibility to be able to serve your practice. In addition, Dr. Amanda is “Gen X” and prefers to focus 100% on our treatment plan conversation and believes that video communication is a “distraction” that can affect the outcome and quality of her coaching services. If you do NEED video or Facetime, there is a surcharge to every meeting and there may be limitations on scheduling. Ask us in advance if you require video. Thanks
5. Can we meet face-to-face for coaching sessions?
We are happy to arrange on-site individual or team coaching at your convenience for an additional fee. We also charge a reasonable and mutually-agreed-upon travel fee which is requested in advance. If you have colleagues who would like to team-up for sessions, we can divide the travel expenses amongst multiple providers. Venue and catering are the responsibility of the hosting doctor and team. If you ever are in Hawaii, we offer in-person sessions there at a discount. Explore our orthodontic classes and hands-on training for additional educational options.
6. I would rather communicate through email. Is this possible?
We do have email communication options through our HIPAA-compliant portal. We provide multiple options for rapid and guaranteed response times. Review our orthodontic coaching services and membership plans or learn about setting up Secure Mail for more information. Please do NOT send us PHI through regular email. We will not answer it and will delete it.
7. What orthodontic brands do you work with?
We are able to coach on a wide range of orthodontic techniques all orthodontic services and vendors. Based on her first-hand experience in the industry, Dr. Amanda Wilson will be able to recommend cutting-edge solutions that you can utilize in your practice.
If Dr. Amanda has not had the first-hand experience with the technology or vendor you are interested in, she will be able to conduct thorough research and provide professional insights.
Unlike most orthodontic coaching companies, StraightSmile Solutions is not affiliated or sponsored by any specific orthodontic vendor. Any opinion expressed about the product, treatment plan, or solution is wholly unbiased. If you’re not happy with your CURRENT ortho coaching vendor, we invite you to try out our coaching system by scheduling a complimentary phone call at your convenience.
There are dozens of aligner and IDB (Indirect Bonding) companies in the US alone, here are some of our client’s favorites:
Just to clarify my policy on uLab and other new aligner brands and software: I operate strictly as a clinical consultant, not a digital lab technician. Because uLab has historically restricted their software training to orthodontists and hasn’t trained me on their backend system, I cannot teach you how to use their software, click buttons, or do manual technical setups.
However, if you utilize uLab’s uAssist concierge service to have their lab technicians generate your initial case setup, I can absolutely review it! Just share the final movement animation link or export video with me. I will gladly do a full clinical review of your staging, biomechanics, and predictability—just like I do for Invisalign or any other lab-driven brand. Let me know if you’d like to review a case that way.
IDB: (Indirect Bonding)
Phase 1/Airway
8. What if I need to reschedule a coaching session?
StraightSmile Solutions understands that schedules are tight and patients come first. Unfortunately, coaching sessions are not refundable but can be rescheduled with 48 hours’ notice. We will only be able to accommodate one request to reschedule per booking.
9. What if I run late for a coaching session? How many can I schedule at a time?
Coaching sessions are scheduled on the hour and run for up to 50 minutes, as directed by the doctor. Out of respect for other doctors’ patients and teams, it’s important that our services run strictly on schedule.
Should the client be more than 10 minutes late for the scheduled time, their booking shall be considered a “broken-appointment”. There are no refunds for broken appointments.
All sessions have a “hard stop” at 50 minutes on the hour, regardless of when they started. We encourage our clients to be on time and ready with questions – we are eager to please!
You can schedule ONE coaching session per office/team for Concierge at a time. Once that’s completed feel free to schedule the next!
10. Do you have a guaranteed response time for emails?
We offer different packages with 24-hour or 48-hour response times guaranteed, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Barring the unlikely reasons beyond our control, we are compliant with our guaranteed response times and ensure that you always receive a timely reply to your concern.
We recommend that you take a look at our services page for more information.
11. Does it seem counterintuitive for an orthodontist to start a coaching company for general dentists?
That’s the natural, initial reaction to our service offerings. We believe that orthodontics is an evolving profession. The StraightSmile Solutions staff are passionate about our practice and more than willing to share and learn. Most Primary Care Dentists (PCDs) are either doing some kind of orthodontics in their office or are planning to. We aim to create an unconditional and unbiased support base for our clients.
This site aims not to disrupt the practice of orthodontics, but rather to bolster it by supporting PCDs and their teams to incorporate orthodontics into their comprehensive treatment plans and to evaluate the need for orthodontics in every patient. This will ultimately boost quality referrals to local orthodontists and provide more appropriate care to the cases that PCDs choose to keep in-house. Eventually, our portal hopes to provide more access to care for the average American by bringing more affordable orthodontic options to consumers.
12. How much do the services through StraightSmile Solutions® cost?
We have a solution to fit your budget. We offer both “a la carte” and comprehensive package services to suit your needs, and schedule. We are always transparent with our fees and there will never be any hidden charges. We do not require you to commit to a long-term contract.
Our first priority is to provide an opportunity for dentists to receive as much orthodontic coaching as they may need to help select and implement a treatment plan based on their patients’ needs, getting it right the first time. We can also help coach Hygiene, Treatment Coordinator, and Assistant Teams.
Please see the services page for more information. Note, fees are for a single doctor, solo practitioner practice. Group practices please email for an estimate. Note- we are SUPER flexible so if you think you don’t have the volume for VIP but you do have multiple doctors or locations and want to do Concierge, please contact us and we can chat and let you know if you qualify for the lower price tier.
We do offer a discount for year-long subscriptions paid upfront. We also never, ever raise fees for our VIP, Concierge and Premium members as long as they have not cancelled or paused their memberships and their payment accounts are in current standing.
13. How do you accept payments?
StraightSmile Solutions is a completely paperless and electronic coaching service. All payments are billed automatically on a monthly basis in advance of service, non-refundable, and paperless, hosted through Stripe(™). We do offer discounts on year-long memberships paid in advance. There are no refunds for this.
Please see the Terms and Conditions page for more information. We reserve the right to withhold services if the account is not current and paid-in-full.
14. Which service should I subscribe to? Can I cancel or downgrade your services?
We strongly recommend most doctors start with a Concierge membership to get oriented and scaled. Most doctors are able to comfortably and confidently step back to a Premium membership after 3-6 months, and you can always cancel with 30 days advance notice. Please note that fees and credits are not refundable or transferable to another provider. We actually have a yearly retention rate of over 95% with our clients but we fully support your desire to be able to operate your orthodontics operations independently once you have the systems and training scaled. If you aren’t sure if you’re VIP or Concierge, please see this video for more information.
Note- our maximum capacity is 20 Concierge Memberships per month per StraightSmile Solutions Instructor. If you cancel your Concierge membership and want to later reactivate it, we can’t guarantee availability or the same instructor assignment and you will be subscribing to whatever the most recent fees are (please visit www.straightsmilesolutions.com/services ). Also, once your account is deactivated, your Secure Mail portal is also deactivated and the historical communication and documentation archives will be deleted.
There is no contract. All plans are on auto-renew so unless cancelled in advance of this date, the plan will renew automatically for the subsequent month. If you are not interested in auto-renew, please just purchase individual A-La-Carte sessions. You may do just one month only if you tell us the same day you subscribe that you want to cancel in 1 month. We are unable to “prorate” billing cycles so kindly be aware of your billing date and let us know at LEAST 30 days in advance to cancel. To cancel, please SEND AN EMAIL to [email protected], secure mail messages aren’t valid for cancellation, since we are unable to save that message in our files. It’s a violation of ADA Secure Mail Policy. Your account will cancel at the END of your next full billing cycle.
15. Will you do my treatment plans and/or ClinCheck®?
We provide consultancy services only. We can coach and guide you on how to create your own treatment plans efficiently and accurately. Compare our VIP and Concierge coaching plans for available support options. We are able to support you throughout the process through our HIPPA-compliant electronic portal, HIPPA-Compliant Video Chat or we can meet in-office but we are flexible if you feel comfortable granting us admin access to your portals. This is only offered through our VIP and Concierge services. We only do direct access treatment plans for the following companies: Invisalign, ClearCorrect . All others must be done through zoom screen-share which is available in all of our plans except Premium.
Yes, you are absolutely welcome to utilize other orthodontic mentors or consulting services if you feel they benefit different types of cases in your practice. We understand that some doctors prefer diverse perspectives. However, if you are a Concierge or VIP member, you already receive unlimited support from us.
If you do choose to involve multiple mentors, we require strict adherence to the following boundary rules to prevent confusion, conflicting advice, and compliance issues:
Strict Communication Channels: All case reviews and collaboration involving multiple mentors must happen exclusively via Zoom sessions or Secure Mail.
No Direct Portal Access: We will not share direct login credentials or accept direct access to your Invisalign, ClinCheck, or other clear aligner brand portals if another mentor is active on that case.
Zero Patient Mixing: Case files, communications, and digital setups must remain completely distinct and uncompromised.
These rules ensure data security, maintain clear liability boundaries, and prevent conflicting treatment touchpoints on a single patient case.
Secure mail is managed by PBHS revenue well, if you already HAVE a business account, we will NOT be using it, we’ll create a second account that is ONLY for communication with StraightSmile Solutions. This way you don’t have to pay for it! If you have technical questions, please visit – SecureMail Here’s how to Set up your Secure Mail: Setting up your secure mail
17. Will you help me select the best technology?
We are familiar with the latest and best technology and can help connect you with the best intra-oral scanners, CBCT, and 3D printers but we aren’t technology experts. As for cephs, we do have a ceph playlist where you are welcome to use the resources available but we aren’t going to trace or plot points on your cephs for you because it’s 2026 and there are plenty, fast low-cost services to do this for you. We will help you interpret the ceph analysis if you are a VIP or Concierge member once you’ve completed it. Please email us for more resources [email protected]
18. What kind of orthodontics do you NOT do?
We prefer to stick with predictable, non-surgical movements and with companies that are respectable and communicate with us in a positive and professional manner, At this time we do not support surgical orthodontic biomechanics (Including PALATAL impacted canines with braces) or adult expansion cases including: orthognathic surgery, canine exposures, MARPE, MSE, Homeoblock, ALF , Vivos and TADS or the following aligner systems: Candid, OrthoFx , Dandy or SureSmile. We’ll gladly refer you to a class that does support this, though. In addition, we don’t do lingual braces or Tip-Edge mechanics. In addition, we believe strongly in “trauma-free” systems, that don’t cause of risk of damage to roots or TMJ. So for that reason, we don’t support the following appliances: Mara, Forsus, Distal Jet, Herbst, Jasper Jumper, or any equivalent FIXED class 2 device. Lastly, we don’t work with Carriere Motion or expansion on kids without 1st molars fully erupted, just due to some concerns we’ve seen in existing cases.
Sorry, we can not support ANY adult expansion cases of ANY kind- here’s why.
You will get out what you put in! It takes effort and commitment from your whole team to see results. We strongly encourage all doctors to initially start as a Concierge client in order to benefit from all the support and services we offer. If you and your team put the work in, you can expect to see a 200-500% increase in caseloads.
20. Do you offer free hands-on training?
Yes, we offer a free straightwire, digital, hands-on training module for doctors and teams (up to 4) who purchase a years’ Concierge Membership up-front instead of the monthly subscription. Free training can not be combined with other discounts. Explore our orthodontic training classes or email us for details.
21. What is On-Call? How do Invisalign Days work?
“On-call” is our newest feature that is only offered with the Concierge and VIP plans. You are able to use our scheduling link to schedule an “on-call session” (subject to availability) with one of our orthodontists if you have an urgent patient scheduled and need an immediate answer. For clarification, we don’t allow patient-facing “on call”. It undermines your position as a treating doctor. The way on-call works is that you capture data (eg- photos) in real time and meet with us either via zoom or through secure mail in real time outside the patient op. Our insurance doesn’t allow us to meet with your patient directly because YOU are the treating doctor, not us. We are just educators and consultants. One “on call” can be scheduled at a time and can’t be scheduled concurrently with an Invisalign Day. Once you finish one “on call” or “Invisalign Day” session, you can schedule again.
If you are a VIP you can schedule more than one session at a time. VIP is for group practices and offices. Fees start at $2999 a month up to $10000.
We’re glad to help you with your Invisalign Day or “On Call Patients”! Review our coaching membership options for plan details. We offer both in-person and virtual support! Contact us for more information! Live, Virtual Support is available ONLY to clients who have been active VIP or Concierge members in good standing for at least SIX consistent months and is NOT available on weekends. Maximum 4 hours of support is available ONE time per quarter and is subject to mutual availability AFTER 11am PST and must be booked 1-2 months in advance. For new doctors, the cost is $900 per hour for Virtual Invisalign Day support and is payable in FULL in advance of scheduling.
