I’ll be very blunt about this.
First of all, forget everything you know about orthodontics. You heard me correctly. Unless and until you question everything you have learned about orthodontics, you are not prepared for this journey.
It took me the better part of a decade of orthodontic practice before my mind opened enough to even remotely consider what I’m going to share with you.
If you’ve never questioned anything you’ve been told in your life, stop right now and read no further.
Secondly, decide that you are willing to do what others have told you that you could not or should not do.
If you aren’t open to that, then stop reading now. I’m serious when I say this. I don’t want you to waste your time or mine. You are not ready.
Interestingly, general dentists who take my Mentorship are often more receptive because they come with less dogma and a more open mind.
If you are still reading, congratulations. You are part of an elite group of doctors willing to take risks in order to learn.
You think I’m joking? There is simply no other way.
In our Mentorship, we cover the rules and procedures I learned during my orthodontic training.
We discuss the so-called “evidence” that supports what is commonly done. We cite the literature where it exists and where it is appropriate.
Then we provide a contrasting view — one with a completely different goal.
Trying to score three points by shooting from 25 feet away and ending up with straight teeth goes away.
Instead, we teach how to shoot from anywhere on the court and score far better than three points by optimizing facial balance, airway health, and TMJ health.
We cite refereed literature when available and appropriate.
On that note, we also share what percentage of dentistry is actually evidence-based. If your website claims you have an “evidence-based practice,” you may want to reconsider that wording.
In reality, nothing we present is actually new.
Orthodontists were treating in the primary dentition to prevent mental retardation in the early 1900s. This is documented in the literature, and we show it.
We often say we wish the profession had never stopped treating in the primary dentition.
What we teach is a modern, updated version of what was once common practice — with the addition of tools and technologies that were not available when my grandparents were children.
Understand this clearly: the process never ends.
The rabbit hole of airway orthodontics does not stop with orthodontics. In fact, it doesn’t even start there.
Many of us believe lifestyle is the root cause of the airway crisis.
One close colleague, who has been involved in airway work as long or longer than I have, believes we may not survive as a species.
I hope she is wrong.
I could go on and on, but I won’t.
If you are still reading, you are likely interested and may consider joining us.
If you stopped reading earlier, you have likely made the right decision not to register.
I sincerely wish you the best either way.
