Orthotown Magazine - May 2026

Articles
A Voice in the Arena: The Architects of the Lips: Part 5 In the final installment of his series, Dr. Chad Foster argues that lip position in millimeters
matters as much as occlusal metrics and that orthodontists must treat facial
aesthetics as an intentional outcome.
by Dr. Chad Foster
In the final installment of his series, Dr. Chad Foster argues that lip position in millimeters matters as much as occlusal metrics and that orthodontists must treat facial aesthetics as an intentional outcome.
Perspective: The Finishing Problem with Aligners Dr. Chad Foster examines the gap between digital prediction and clinical reality in aligner
finishing, and whether limitations will improve over time.
by Dr. Chad Foster
Dr. Chad Foster examines the gap between digital prediction and clinical reality in aligner finishing, and whether limitations will improve over time.
The Tostado Take: Mentorship Matters Dr. Julia Tostado explains why young orthodontists who seek guidance and ongoing
mentorship grow faster than those who figure it out alone.
by Dr. Julia Tostado
Dr. Julia Tostado explains why young orthodontists who seek guidance and ongoing mentorship grow faster than those who figure it out alone.
SmileDirectClub Collapse Explained SmileDirectClub went from $9 billion disruptor to total shutdown in under five years. Inside the regulatory fights, lawsuits, and unit economics that broke it.
SmileDirectClub went from $9 billion disruptor to total shutdown in under five years. Inside the regulatory fights, lawsuits, and unit economics that broke it.
Should Orthodontists Apologize? A popped bracket, a wire that pokes, a tray that will not track. The real truth about liability, trust, and why how you say it matters more than whether you apologize at all.
A popped bracket, a wire that pokes, a tray that will not track. The real truth about liability, trust, and why how you say it matters more than whether you apologize at all.
Workforce Shortages The orthodontic staffing shortage is not going away. Practical strategies for recruitment, retention, and running a leaner practice without burning out your team.
The orthodontic staffing shortage is not going away. Practical strategies for recruitment, retention, and running a leaner practice without burning out your team.
Early Loss of E's When mesial drift forces a strategic rethink
When mesial drift forces a strategic rethink
Built Together. Delivered Intentionally. Drs. Clark Colville and Geoff Sudit introduce Oliv, an orthodontist-built clear aligner
system three years in the making. It’s designed to optimize finishing, integrate remote
monitoring at no extra cost, and foster a collaborative community that puts clinical
standards ahead of corporate convention.
by Drs. Clark Colville and Geoff Sudit
Drs. Clark Colville and Geoff Sudit introduce Oliv, an orthodontist-built clear aligner system three years in the making. It’s designed to optimize finishing, integrate remote monitoring at no extra cost, and foster a collaborative community that puts clinical standards ahead of corporate convention.
Sibling Rivalry Dr. Nick Riccio compares two siblings with identical open-bite presentations, exploring the
clinical reasoning behind treating one with aligners and the other with braces.
by Dr. Nick Riccio
Dr. Nick Riccio compares two siblings with identical open-bite presentations, exploring the clinical reasoning behind treating one with aligners and the other with braces.
Clinical Profile: Observation and Retention Reimagined Dr. Ed Davis shows how integrating DentalMonitoring into observation and retention
transforms these phases into structured, revenue-generating programs.
by Dr. Ed Davis
Dr. Ed Davis shows how integrating DentalMonitoring into observation and retention transforms these phases into structured, revenue-generating programs.
Orthodontics and Sleep Surgery Drs. Nasim Mesgarzadeh and Stanley Y. C. Liu explore how orthodontists influence sleepsurgical
outcomes and the importance of early interdisciplinary collaboration.
by Drs. Nasim Mesgarzadeh and Stanley Y. C. Liu
Drs. Nasim Mesgarzadeh and Stanley Y. C. Liu explore how orthodontists influence sleepsurgical outcomes and the importance of early interdisciplinary collaboration.
Patient Communication Through ‘Letting Them’ Dr. Corinne Devin offers a military-informed leadership framework that reduces burnout,
improves compliance, and builds patient trust through clarity and composure.
by Dr. Corinne Devin
Dr. Corinne Devin offers a military-informed leadership framework that reduces burnout, improves compliance, and builds patient trust through clarity and composure.
Building Better Smiles by Design Dr. Patrick Kunkel shares how an engineering mindset and strong systems have shaped
his Indiana practice, and why diagnosis must always precede appliance selection.
by Michele Jerrell, Publisher
Dr. Patrick Kunkel shares how an engineering mindset and strong systems have shaped his Indiana practice, and why diagnosis must always precede appliance selection.
To Everything There Is a Season Andrea Cook offers a practical guide to building a balanced ortho schedule for summer, covering production goals, procedure timing, and intentional flexibility.
by Andrea Cook
Andrea Cook offers a practical guide to building a balanced ortho schedule for summer, covering production goals, procedure timing, and intentional flexibility.
Departments
New Products Take a look at some of the newest products hitting the orthodontic market.
Take a look at some of the newest products hitting the orthodontic market.
Industry News The latest updates shaping the orthodontic profession
The latest updates shaping the orthodontic profession
Poll: Practice Management Orthotown’s monthly poll helps see how other practices operate. This month Townies weigh in on practice management.
Orthotown’s monthly poll helps see how other practices operate. This month Townies weigh in on practice management.
Product Profile: Ormco EtchFree Bonding System The next generation of bonding, inspired by nature
The next generation of bonding, inspired by nature

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