There is more than one way to design the “perfect” smile. Recently, two of the best dentists in the world, Dr. Michael Apa and Dr. Christian Coachman, debated these concepts at the Designing Smiles event in Miami. To share some of his key insights and takeaways, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Christian Coachman, founder of Digital Smile Design, who explains how you can achieve great dentistry with digital or analog, and the importance of building a workflow that’s best for you. To hear more about the Designing Smiles event and the debate about great dentistry, listen to Episode 721 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Coachman & Dr. Apa:

• Join Dr. Coachman on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christiancoachman
• Follow Dr. Coachman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscoachman
• Learn more about Digital Smile Design: https://digitalsmiledesign.com
• Register for DSD Residency 1: https://digitalsmiledesign.com/dsd-residency-1-on-demand
• Join Dr. Apa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmichaelapa
• Follow Dr. Apa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorapa

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 721: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Whether you use digital, analog, or both, master the process in the mouth.
• You don't get a second chance at a great first impression in smile design.
• Focus on patient success. What does success mean for them?
• Start with the end in mind when designing patients’ smiles.
• Any work you do in the lab is not like in an actual mouth.
• Impress patients with your chairside systems.
• It’s impossible to deliver great smiles alone.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:23 The origin of Dr. Coachman and Dr. Michael Apa’s course.

13:02 1) Documentation philosophy and smile rehabilitation.

16:41 2) Diagnosis and planning.

22:16 3) Case acceptance.

24:17 4) Treatment presentation.

26:53 5) Software.

32:18 6) Motivational and technical mock-ups.

38:05 7) Branding.

40:31 8) The first appointment and first impressions.

41:17 9) The patient experience.

44:15 10) Orthodontics.

47:35 11) Artistic skills and intuition.

50:53 12) Communication.

55:17 13) Treatment execution.

1:11:51 14) Digital is the future.

1:14:38 The pressure of building this course from scratch.

1:17:42 Final thoughts.

1:24:25 About Digital Smile Design.

Dr. Christian Coachman Bio:

Combining his advanced skills, experience, and technology solutions, Dr. Christian Coachman pioneered the Digital Smile Design methodology and founded Digital Smile Design company (DSD). Since its inception, thousands of dentists worldwide have attended DSD courses and workshops, such as the renowned DSD Residency program.

Dr. Coachman is the developer of worldwide, well-known concepts such as the Digital Smile Design, the Pink Hybrid Implant Restoration, the Digital Planning Center, Emotional Dentistry, Interdisciplinary Treatment Simulation, and Digital Smile Donator. He regularly consults for dental industry companies, developing products, implementing concepts, and marketing strategies, such as the Facially Driven Digital Orthodontic Workflow developed in collaboration with Invisalign, Align Technology.