The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast: Shining a Light on Orthodontist Innovators

Dr. Chad Foster is a respected orthodontist based in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Editor of OrthoTown. Known for his openness in online case critique and thoughtful contributions to the orthodontic community, Dr. Foster is also a speaker for the Exceptional Esthetics Course and a strong advocate for clinical growth through peer feedback.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How sharing full-record orthodontic cases online can accelerate clinical growth and sharpen treatment planning
• What it’s like to serve as Editor of OrthoTown and write the monthly column The Voice in the Arena
• Why engaging in orthodontic Facebook groups can offer both challenges and tremendous learning opportunities
• Esthetic finishing pearls, including vertical control strategies and the use of functional bite turbos
• The influence of mentors like Dr. Sarver and Dr. Pitts on Chad’s orthodontic philosophy and clinical approach

Recorded March 25, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ at the Fosters’ basement Irish Pub during DynaFlex’s Exceptional Esthetics Course.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Solventum and DentalMonitoring.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Bill Dischinger is a respected orthodontist, educator, and speaker based outside Portland, Oregon. The son of legendary orthodontist and Olympian Dr. Terry Dischinger, Bill has forged his own path as an orthodontic innovator, embracing digital transformation through Spark Aligners and DentalMonitoring. His focus on efficiency and work-life balance has made him a leader in modern orthodontic care.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How this orthodontist successfully transitioned from braces to Spark Aligners with over 1,000 completed cases
• Innovative uses of DentalMonitoring to reduce in-office visits and improve patient compliance
• A fresh perspective on balancing family time with orthodontic practice growth
• Insights into the legacy and impact of the Herbst appliance in Class II correction
• How being “curious, not judgmental” changed Bill’s approach to aligner treatment

Recorded March 17, 2023 at Coastal Creative Studios in St. Petersburg, FL.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Straumann Group and Retainer Club.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. David Boschken is a forward-thinking orthodontist based in Silicon Valley, known for his early adoption of Invisalign and cutting-edge use of digital technology to transform his practice. With a sharp entrepreneurial mindset and a background shaped by the tech culture of his surroundings, Dr. Boschken continues to innovate in orthodontics through customized treatment options and smart practice management.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How this orthodontic innovator scaled his practice by transitioning from traditional braces to digital workflows
• Strategies for achieving 98% aligner share-of-chair and reducing burnout from high-volume patient days
• Clinical pearls for clear aligner treatment, including segmental aligner techniques and retention protocols
• Why Dr. Boschken integrates iTero technology and LightForce custom braces to enhance efficiency and outcomes
• An inside look at Revere Partners, a venture capital fund for oral healthcare startups, and how orthodontists can get involved

Recorded February 10, 2023 at the Embassy Suites in Orlando, FL during the Orlando Invisalign Expo.

Generous support for this podcast comes from KLOwen Custom Braces and Straumann Group.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Orthodontist Dr. Jacquee Schieck practices in Northfield, MN and is a literal rockstar as the co-vocalist & bass player for Relapse.

On this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Jacquee’s upbringing in Sioux Falls, SD
• How she started her practice, Schieck Orthodontics, from scratch while raising her growing family
• Jacquee’s journey into personal development & leadership coaching
• Why she decided to recently partner with Smile Doctors
• How Jacquee has integrated LightForce custom braces into her practice

Recorded January 14, 2023 Coastal Creative Studios in St. Petersburg, FL.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Straumann Group & KLOwen Custom Braces.

For more information about the podcast, head over to www.illuminateorthopodcast.com.

Dr. Bill Layman is an orthodontist in Clearwater, Florida, with a background as unique as it is inspiring. A graduate of the Citadel and the Vanderbilt orthodontic program, Bill also earned his MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of Business. His analytical mindset and passion for teaching have made him a leading voice on the economics behind major orthodontic decisions.

On this episode, you will discover:

• The Make-Buy analysis for in-house aligners and how to calculate the true cost per aligner
• Why orthodontists should consider opportunity cost when building an in-house lab
• A Keep-Sell framework to objectively evaluate OSO offers and private equity deals
• How Bill uses DentalMonitoring to create patient-centric workflows and dynamic scheduling
• Lessons from military service, business school, and private practice that shape innovation in orthodontics

Recorded December 11, 2022 at Coastal Creative Studios in St. Petersburg, FL.

Generous support for this podcast comes from KLOwen Custom Braces and Revere Partners.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Heather Hopkins is a forward-thinking orthodontist based in South Carolina, known for her dynamic role in orthodontic innovation. From working with companies like Invisalign, KLOwen, and GAC to developing her own patented software solution, Heather’s journey bridges clinical excellence, digital workflows, and creative problem-solving. In this episode, she shares stories from Hollywood to high-tech, including how she licensed her Asana Smiles™ platform to Align Technology.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How Dr. Hopkins transitioned from providing product feedback to patenting and licensing her own orthodontic software
• Key biomechanical concepts behind her aligner course Plastic Principles and how it empowers orthodontists to improve clear aligner outcomes
• The benefits and logistics of a multispecialty group practice model in modern orthodontics
• Stories from her early career in Los Angeles, including treating celebrity patients and fabricating a custom appliance for a Katy Perry music video
• How Heather’s dashboard system streamlines digital orthodontic workflows and helps reduce doctor chair time

Recorded October 7, 2022 at the Mother of Pearls Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

Generous support for this podcast comes from uLab Systems and LightForce Orthodontics.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Jonathan Nicozisis is an influential orthodontist known for his early contributions to aligner biomechanics and his role as co-founder of The Aligner Intensive Fellowship. In addition to maintaining a thriving private practice in New Jersey, Jonathan is a sought-after speaker and educator who has mentored thousands of orthodontists through his clinical insight and provocative teaching style.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How Jonathan’s early exposure to aligners and biomechanics shaped his orthodontic philosophy
• The origin story and evolution of The Aligner Intensive Fellowship, and why it’s impacting orthodontic education
• How Jonathan’s groundbreaking research on relaxin hormone explored its potential to prevent orthodontic relapse
• Strategies for managing complex aligner cases and how to leverage digital tools for clinical efficiency
• The importance of mentorship, reinvention, and giving back in an orthodontic career built on innovation

Recorded October 7, 2022 at the Mother of Pearls Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

Generous support for this podcast comes from KLOwen Custom Braces and LightForce Orthodontics.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Maz Moshiri is a respected orthodontist, educator, and co-founder of The Aligner Intensive Fellowship. Practicing alongside his father and sister in St. Louis, Maz has helped over 4,000 orthodontists elevate their clear aligner expertise through this pioneering digital education platform. Known for his clinical insights and teaching style, Maz shares how he embraced orthodontic innovation through aligners and fully customized bracket systems.

On this episode, you will discover:

• The origin and evolution of The Aligner Intensive Fellowship, and how it’s shaping aligner education for orthodontists
• How Maz approaches orthodontic diagnosis and delegation to streamline practice efficiency
• Clinical pearls for managing vertical control and leveling the curve of Spee with aligners
• His decision to transition to LightForce and go all-in with digital custom brackets
• Insights into joining Orthodontic Partners and navigating the business of orthodontics as a second-generation practitioner

Recorded June 17, 2022 at the LightForce Future meeting in Boston, MA.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Solventum and uLab Systems.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Chris Bonebreak Jackson is an orthodontist, engineer, educator, and now the Director of Clinical Affairs at LightForce. Before joining the LightForce team, she practiced orthodontics in North Carolina, conducted research in 3D metal printing, and taught at UNC. Chris’s unconventional journey from MIT to Wall Street to orthodontic innovation was even profiled by The Wall Street Journal.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How Chris’s background in mechanical engineering and bond trading led her to a career in orthodontics
• The pivotal moment at an AAO meeting that inspired her to pursue dentistry
• Her insights into 3D metal printing, research, and custom bracket technology
• Advanced clinical tips for combining orthodontic appliances with custom braces like LightForce
• A behind-the-scenes look at how LightForce iterates hardware as fast as software to drive orthodontic innovation

Recorded June 17, 2022 at the LightForce Future meeting in Boston, MA.

Generous support for this podcast comes from UlLab Systems and Solventum.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Chris Cetta hosts a special Illuminate Live edition of the podcast recorded during the AAO Annual Session in Miami Beach. This orthodontic innovator round table brings back to the podcast Dr. John Pham of InBrace, Dr. Alfred Griffin III of LightForce Orthodontics, and Dr. Adam Schulhof of Grin, three of the most forward-thinking orthodontists shaping the future of the profession. With their companies redefining what’s possible in orthodontic care, this live discussion explores emerging technologies, mindset shifts, and how to create the best experience for today’s patients.

On this episode, you will discover:

• Why today’s orthodontist must think like an innovator to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field
• How patient demands for esthetics, convenience, and customization are reshaping the modern orthodontic practice
• The real-world challenges and rewards of launching a tech company as an orthodontist
• What the orthodontic “Blue Ocean” looks like—and how to position yourself for future success
• Actionable advice for doctors who have a product idea or want to lead the next wave of innovation in orthodontics

Recorded May 21, 2022 at Bodega Speakeasy during the AAO Annual Session in Miami Beach, FL.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Grin + InBrace + LightForce Orthodontics.

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.