Unlike other medical specialties, orthodontics has not had any prolonged periods of stagnation. Stagnation doesn’t mean consistency though.
In the last few years, we’ve seen huge leaps forward in digital imaging, 3D printing, AI, and other technologies that are fundamentally changing how doctors can run their practice. Dr. Josh Adcox, an orthodontist at SMILE Doctors, Harker Heights, and clinical director of remote care with SMILE Doctors, recently shared insights on these trends in a fascinating presentation, Doing more with less, but better: Increased control with custom braces and remote monitoring.
His approach in a nutshell? "Doing more with less, but better."
This philosophy, coupled with all of the new technological development, can both streamline orthodontic practices while enhancing patient care.
Let's take a look at 5 things everyone should know from his presentation that helped Dr. Adcox’s practice “do more with less, but better”.
1.) It’s Time to Embrace a Full Digital Workflow
The future of orthodontics is digital. Well, actually that’s the present as well. Dr. Adcox advocates for a bold move: aim for 90% or more custom digital treatments.
By combining technologies like remote monitoring (Dr. Adcox uses DentalMonitoring) with custom digital braces such as the KLOwen Custom Digital Solution, orthodontists can revolutionize their workflow. "This approach streamlines processes and reduces the need for frequent appointments," Dr. Adcox explains. "You get a more efficient practice that doesn't compromise on the quality of care."
2.) Combine Custom Orthodontics with Digital Workflows
Dr. Adcox highlights the significant advantages of using custom orthodontic treatment like the KLOwen Custom Digital Solution, saying that custom means efficiency for him, his team and his patients. As he explained, there’s “less time on the setup, less time-consuming doctor appointments, repositions, wire bending, all the things, right?" Plus, custom orthodontics offers improved control over all movements, particularly challenging ones like third-order torque. Dr. Adcox notes, "The hardest movement I personally had controlling with my conventional passive self-ligating cases was third-order torque. And it's just simply been easier because it is custom self-ligating.”
3.) Simplify Wire Sequences
Another area for huge efficiency gains: getting rid of complex wire changes.
Dr. Adcox proposes a simplified approach: "Transition to a three-wire sequence instead of traditional five to six wire changes."
This method, when combined with custom brackets, a custom prescription for each tooth and remote monitoring, significantly reduces in-office appointments without compromising outcomes or the quality of treatment. It's a win-win for both patients and the practice.
4.) Make Scheduling Easier
When you weave in digital workflows and less hands-on treatment needed, it’s time to rethink what scheduling looks like. During his presentation, Dr. Adcox introduces the concept of dynamic scheduling, where appointments are determined by actual patient needs rather than predetermined intervals. "Use remote monitoring data to determine when patients truly need to come in for wire changes or adjustments," he advises.
On top of the schedule compression, the predictability of custom orthodontic treatment means the appointments are less stressful and the team is able to have autonomy over the patient experience from start to finish since no one is waiting on the doctor to do most of the work.
5.) Focusing on the "Who, Not How"
None of the above is possible without the right team, Dr. Adcox emphasized. "Identify and leverage the right technologies, team members, and external partners to handle various aspects of patient care and practice management," he suggests.
With the right team, you have to communicate your why and consistently lead them through the change. After all, change is hard and they may get frustrated, but they will re-focus and keep moving forward as they see your attitude and hear you remind them of the why behind the change.
This approach allows doctors to focus on critical treatment aspects while improving overall efficiency. It's about building an ecosystem of support that enhances the practice's capabilities and the patient’s experience.
Closing thoughts
Changes in orthodontics are unlikely to slow down any time soon. Instead of holding onto ideas about “this is how it was always done,” consider embracing these digital innovations and efficiency-driven approaches now. Orthodontists can truly do more with less with huge benefits to both their practices and their patients. Learn more about how custom orthodontics from KLOwen can help your practice achieve just that by talking with one of our experts today.
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About KLOwen Orthodontics:
KLOwen Orthodontics is a custom digital technology company transforming orthodontic practices through our full custom digital orthodontic solution that increases efficiency, improves quality & consistency of outcomes, and reduces stress in the orthodontic practice. Founded in 2019 by Orthodontist, Dr. Brandon Owen, KLOwen is leading innovation in orthodontic treatment with a full portfolio of custom fixed appliances proven to deliver an average of 7.1 fewer appointments per patient. Schedule a demo today by clicking here.
