Building Better Smiles by Design by Michele Jerrell, Publisher

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Building Better Smiles by Design   

From the operating room to the orthodontic chair

by Michele Jerrell, publisher

A career psychologist once told Patrick Kunkel that his personality was better suited for engineering than traditional medicine. At the time, the assessment didn’t mean much. Kunkel was focused on following his father’s footsteps into orthopedic surgery, and dentistry wasn’t even on his radar. It wasn’t until years later, after he’d already been accepted into dental school, that he came across an old recording of that conversation. In it, the psychologist had pointed to orthodontics specifically as the perfect blend of medicine, working with people, hands-on problem solving, and engineering.

“In hindsight, he was exactly right,” Kunkel says.

Today, Kunkel runs Align Orthodontics, a multi-location practice in Noblesville and Tipton, Indiana, with a team of about 12. His path to getting there wasn’t a straight line, and that’s part of what makes his approach to the specialty worth paying attention to.

From the operating room to the orthodontic chair
Growing up, Kunkel always pictured himself in medicine. His father was an orthopedic surgeon, and the assumption was that he’d follow a similar trajectory. It was late in college when his dad encouraged him to consider dentistry, specifically orthodontics. Kunkel wasn’t sold.

“I was hesitant. I saw myself as a surgeon, not a dentist,” he recalls.

What changed his mind wasn’t a single dramatic moment. It was the pattern he noticed while shadowing. “Every orthodontist I spent time with genuinely loved their profession and had a strong sense of balance between work and life,” he explains. He also started to see how different the specialty was from other areas of dentistry. The patients are mostly healthy and excited about treatment. The work leans heavily on diagnosis, planning, and biomechanics rather than drilling and filling.

That combination of analytical thinking and patient interaction turned out to be exactly the kind of work that fit him.

Diagnosis first, appliances second
Kunkel describes himself as the kid who was always taking things apart, fixing them, and modifying them to make them work better. That tinkering instinct carries directly into his clinical philosophy.

“Orthodontics feels very similar,” he says. “I love the engineering aspect, designing systems, sequencing movement, and problem-solving in a way that leads to a functional and aesthetic outcome.”

But he’s quick to point out that the engineering mindset doesn’t start with selecting a bracket or an aligner. It starts with diagnosis. He’s deliberate about slowing down at the front end of treatment, especially with complex cases, breaking things into phases, using digital tools to visualize mechanics, and collaborating with specialists when the situation calls for it.

“Technology plays an important role, but it is always in service of sound biologic and mechanical principles,” he notes. “To me, orthodontics is the art of engineering a healthy, stable, and confident smile.”

Straight teeth aren’t enough
For Kunkel, a beautiful result that comes at the expense of oral health isn’t a result worth celebrating. “If a patient finishes treatment with straight teeth but compromised enamel or gums, that is not a success in my book,” he says.

His team places a strong emphasis on oral hygiene, periodontal health, and long-term stability throughout treatment. And they pay just as much attention to the emotional side. Many of their patients are kids and teenagers going through significant personal growth during the months or years they’re in treatment, and Kunkel wants the experience to build them up.

“Our team focuses on education, encouragement, and clear communication so patients feel supported rather than pressured,” he explains. “When health, function, and confidence align, the aesthetic result naturally follows.”

Systems that actually solve problems
Ask Kunkel what’s made the biggest operational difference in his practice, and he doesn’t point to a piece of technology. He points to systems.

One of the most impactful changes was implementing a comprehensive compliance-tracking system for oral hygiene, elastics, and aligner wear. Before the system existed, the team would sometimes hit a wall when treatment wasn’t progressing, and the reasons weren’t clearly documented.

“Now, expectations are documented, communication is clear, and patients are better supported, or exited from treatment when necessary,” he explains.

On the business side, Kunkel credits the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) with transforming how the practice runs. “EOS provides a structured framework that aligns vision, people, data, processes, and accountability,” he says. “It has improved communication, clarified roles, and helped our team solve issues more efficiently as we grow.”

AI as a tool, not a replacement
When it comes to emerging technology, Kunkel sees artificial intelligence as the biggest force heading toward the profession over the next decade. He’s already using AI to build systems, protocols, job descriptions, reports, and creative materials more efficiently, and he sees the potential for practices to bring work in-house that used to require outside vendors.

“The key will be using AI thoughtfully to enhance human decision making, not replace it,” he says.

It’s a perspective that fits with his broader philosophy. Tools are valuable, but only when they serve a clear purpose.

Rooted in community
Kunkel grew up in central Indiana, attended dental school at Indiana University and completed a residency at the University of Colorado. Afterward, he spent four years practicing as an associate orthodontist in Salt Lake City before returning to Indiana for practice ownership. The return wasn’t accidental. He wanted to practice in a place where his patients are also his neighbors.

“Many of our patients are families I share schools, neighborhoods, and community ties with,” he says. “That creates a deep sense of accountability.”

That connection shapes the way he thinks about the practice’s role. “Our goal is to be a trusted, long-term resource for our community, not just a place that straightens teeth.”

The advice he wishes he’d gotten sooner
Kunkel is candid about the gaps in his own early career. He didn’t have a consistent mentor for much of it, and while that forced him to develop his own approach, he sees the cost of going it alone, especially in areas like business, leadership, and practice management that residency programs don’t typically cover.

“Finding a strong small study club later in my career and visiting other orthodontic practices to learn directly from experienced doctors has had a major impact on how I practice and lead,” he shares.

His advice to young orthodontists is straightforward: Choose a community you care about, build strong fundamentals, and invest in people. “Technology matters, but culture, integrity, and relationships matter more,” he says. “Focus on long-term thinking rather than short-term wins.”

Staying grounded
Living out west for many years left a mark. Kunkel spent years mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, and trail running in the mountains. Indiana doesn’t offer quite the same terrain, but he adapts. He rides trails in Brown County and takes his three young kids to a small ski hill in the state to get them ready for bigger mountains out west.

With practice ownership and a young family, most of his personal time now happens early in the morning before the kids wake up. But when he does get outside or make it back to the mountains, it recalibrates everything.

“That balance makes me more focused, present, and energized professionally,” he says.

Looking ahead
Kunkel sees a specialty that’s evolving fast, but he’s not chasing trends for the sake of it. The foundation, he believes, hasn’t changed.

“Thoughtful diagnosis, clear communication, strong systems, and doing what is right for patients,” he says. “When those elements stay front and center, the future of our specialty is incredibly exciting.” 

PRACTICE SNAPSHOT

Name: Dr. Patrick Kunkel
Graduated from: Indiana University School of Dentistry (Dental School); University of Colorado (Orthodontic Residency)
Practice name: Align Orthodontics
Practice size: Multi-location practice in Noblesville and Tipton, Indiana
Team size: Approximately 12 team members

TOP 5 PRODUCTS

1. Damon Ultima Bracket System, Ormco: The Damon system provides precise control of tooth movement and supports development of arch width, allowing for efficient, accurate results. Its advanced design improves alignment and bite correction while enhancing overall patient comfort.

2. Spectralase Diode Laser: The Spectralase supports precise, minimally invasive soft tissue procedures. It allows us to perform treatments like gum contouring, frenectomies, and tooth exposure with improved comfort and faster healing.

3. Formlabs 4B 3D Printer: In-house 3D printing with Formlabs 4B has been a game-changer for appliance fabrication, retainers, and indirect bonding setups. It improves turnaround time and accuracy, and gives more control over quality and customization.

4. Spark Aligners and In-House Aligners Using Archform: We primarily use Spark Aligners for clear aligner therapy, while fabricating select in-house aligners using Archform for case setups. This hybrid approach gives us flexibility and control while maintaining predictable outcomes.

5. Dexis OP3D LX CBCT Imaging: Our CBCT allows for advanced diagnostics, particularly for impacted teeth, airway considerations, and complex interdisciplinary cases. It significantly enhances treatment-planning precision and confidence.

Orthotown Magazine
May 2026
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