Episode Overview

In this episode of The DOC Podcast, I’m joined by Doctors Claire Ferrari and Allie Larios of Ferrari Larios Orthodontics in Kensington, California. Together, they discuss transforming patient care through a proactive, whole-body approach to orthodontics.

Topics include the need to integrate overall health into orthodontic residency programs, early diagnostic and treatment for pre-adolescent patients, the benefits of CBCT imaging, the relationship between tooth extraction and airway issues, building a trusted medical network, and the impact of corporate entities in dentistry. We also delve into the future of orthodontics and their decision to pursue a traditional business model to better serve their patients.

Don't miss this insightful conversation on advancing orthodontic care. Enjoy the show!

Timestamps

00:27 Meet the Guests: Dr. Claire Ferrari and Dr. Allie Larios

03:06 Dr. Ferrari’s Early Influences and Mentorship

04:14 Educational Path and Career Decisions

07:14 The Importance of CBCT Imaging

13:40 Dr. Larios' Experience and Insights

18:10 Holistic Approach in Orthodontics

19:44 Challenges and Rewards of Early Treatment

21:36 The Future of Orthodontics

30:33 Addressing Airway Issues in Orthodontics

34:30 Treating Young Patients: A New Perspective

42:36 Challenges in Pediatric Dental Diagnostics

43:52 Approaching Treatment for Young Children

44:40 Parental Involvement and Patient Management

46:34 The Importance of Early Intervention

48:41 Debating Traditional vs. Modern Orthodontic Practices

50:44 Evidence-Based Medicine in Dentistry

01:06:57 The Business of Orthodontics: Corporate vs. Private Practice

01:19:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

LINKS:

Dr. Mike’s Orthotown Article on Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing: https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-march-2025/index.php?startpage=36#/p/34

Dr. Claire Ferrari’s email:claire@ferrariortho.com
Dr. Allie Larios' email: drlarios@ferrariortho.com

Practice Website:www.FerrariOrtho.com
Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Joseph Yousefian for an in-depth discussion on pediatric airway disorders and innovative orthodontic treatment approaches that can change lives.

🎯 Episode Highlights

Dr. Yousefian's Personal Journey

• His son Ryan's severe sleep apnea diagnosis and dramatic academic decline
• Ryan's transformation from a struggling student to a Washington University scholarship recipient after treatment

The Pediatric Airway Crisis

• Why pediatric sleep-disordered breathing has become a pandemic
• Evolutionary changes in jaw development due to modern diet and lifestyle
• The connection between crowding, malocclusion, and airway disorders

Revolutionary Treatment Concepts

• Teledontics & Telegnathics: Non-restrictive, airway-focused orthodontic treatment approaches
• Mandibular symphyseal expansion: 200+ successful cases over 23 years
• Early intervention strategies (ages 2-4) for prevention

Clinical & Professional Insights

• Why traditional orthodontic approaches may be inadequate for airway patients
• Interdisciplinary collaboration strategies with medical providers
• The future of orthodontics: paradigm shift vs. pendulum swing
• Insurance considerations and making airway treatment financially viable

The Future of Orthodontics

• Why this is a paradigm shift, not a pendulum swing
• The need for specialized training in airway-focused orthodontics
• How the profession needs to evolve to address the 1.3 billion people worldwide suffering from sleep apnea

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Pediatric airway disease is treatable and preventable when caught early
2. Untreated sleep-disordered breathing can cause ADHD-like symptoms, academic decline, behavioral issues, and long-term health complications
3. Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to be leaders in airway treatment
4. Early intervention (before age 7) can prevent a lifetime of complications
5. Treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach combining medicine and dentistry

LINKS:

• Comprehensive Treatment Seminars: https://www.ctseminars.org/
• ApnoMed: https://www.apnomed.com/
• Pediatric Treatment of Sleep Apnea with Teledontics and Telegnathics: https://www.routledge.com/Pediatric-Treatment-of-Sleep-Apnea-With-TeledonticsTelegnathics/Yousefian/p/book/9781032978994
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/)
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/

Thank you for your support of The DOC Podcast! Please remember to share the show with others and, if you feel we've earned it, we'd love to receive a 5-Star Review on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

Episode Description:

Join me for an in-depth conversation with husband-and-wife dental team Drs. Jeffrey Hindin and Jill Meyer, who are pioneering a whole-health approach to dentistry that addresses the root causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Building an etiology-focused practice that treats underlying causes, not just symptoms

• Early orthodontic intervention and airway-focused care in children

• The significant overlap between TMD and sleep-disordered breathing

• Heart rate variability (HRV) and objective physiologic measurements in treatment

• Oral appliances for athletic performance enhancement

• Common signs of sleep disorders in children and adults

• Navigating resistance from traditional orthodontic approaches

• The future of sleep medicine, including emerging pharmacological treatments

Key Takeaways:

• Early intervention in children can prevent the need for invasive treatments and sleep appliances in adulthood
• Mouth breathing is a critical early indicator of sleep-disordered breathing and should not be dismissed
• The airway affects the autonomic nervous system, impacting everything from athletic performance to mental health
• Depression and anxiety are the #1 comorbidities associated with sleep-related breathing disorders
• Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to prevent adult TMD and sleep issues through early treatment
• Treatment should focus on normalizing anatomy and addressing root causes, not just straightening teeth

Resources Mentioned:

• Hindin Center: https://hindincenter.com/
• American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry: https://aapmd.org/
• AAPMD Collaboration Cures Meeting: May 15-16 in Pittsburgh

Connect with Dr. Mike:

• Website: https://theorthocoach.com/
• Email: dr.mike@theorthocoach.com
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/

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In this episode of the DOC Podcast, I welcome Dr. Mary Motlagh to discuss one of dentistry's most critical yet overlooked issues: why beautiful dental and orthodontic work fails over time, and what we can do to achieve lasting stability.

Dr. Motlagh, a restorative dentist with over 25 years of experience, shares her transformative journey from creating stunning cosmetic cases that broke down within years to developing a comprehensive physiologic approach that consistently delivers 15-20 year stability. Through compelling patient stories and clinical insights, she reveals the hidden connections between airway health, TMJ function, neuromuscular balance, and long-term treatment success.

This conversation challenges fundamental assumptions in dentistry. From how we diagnose and treat TMD to the extraction debate, early intervention timing, and what "evidence-based" really means. Whether you're an orthodontist frustrated by relapse, a restorative dentist dealing with occlusal breakdown, or any dental professional seeking better outcomes, this episode offers a paradigm shift in how we approach comprehensive care.

Timestamps

[2:27] Meet Dr. Motlagh
[4:43] Why beautiful veneer cases started failing
[5:45] Muscles dominate and airway always wins
[9:54] Why teeth break at the gum line despite perfect crowns
[13:37] Evidence-based dentistry: beyond randomized trials
[16:52] Dentists are trained as tooth mechanics, not doctors
[22:57] How posture affects occlusion
[27:47] Signs and symptoms we miss: scalloped tongue, tinnitus, vertigo
[37:15] The 17-year-old who couldn't open her mouth for 2 years
[42:57] The extraction and airway debate
[48:20] Introduction to MyAligner and the diagnostic phase
[49:30] Ultra-low frequency TENS and neuromuscular CR
[57:27] Case presentation: correcting facial asymmetry in 40 minutes
[1:05:35] Final message: it is essential to screen for TMD and airway issues

Notable Quotes

• "We were trained as tooth mechanics and not the doctors of the oral cavity. We learned to look inside the mouth, not sit back and look at the face, look at the body, look at the connection of the orthopedic alignment of the head and neck." - Dr. Maryam Motlagh
• "When you do the diagnostics more thoroughly, your work gets easier and becomes more profitable because you cut a lot of the noise out, a lot of the headaches. It's not profitable to do a hundred aligners on somebody - you're paying the patient to treat the case at that point." - Dr. Mike
• "This is a complex problem, but once you see it, you cannot unsee it, and it becomes such a simple solution." - Dr. Maryam Motlagh

Links

• Bite Circle: https://www.bitecircle.com/
• Myoaligner: https://www.myoaligner.com/
• IG: @drmotlagh_
• Maryam’s Signs & Symptoms Sheet: https://www.myoaligner.com/_files/ugd/06070e_03dd7aac8db8431782111c81c1018d50.pdf
• Dr. Mike’s Orthotown Article on Evidence Based Orthodontics: https://www.orthotown.com/magazine/article/9835/defining-evidence-based-orthodontics?fbclid=IwY2xjawP14fxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrVWE3M3EwYWJTRWpEdENTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhwMNgFJyCJB6JMvVDSomu6drLwAym2SI7CDx-eXbuwrUwBxzP6NpyP7HpT8_aem_NmfJlB15aUQgioH6xWUu3A
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/)
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Brett Christiansen, an Army veteran and board-certified orthodontist who has transformed his practice to focus on treating the root causes of malocclusion and sleep-disordered breathing.

Dr. Christiansen shares his remarkable journey from growing up on an Idaho farm to becoming one of only five orthodontists in the country board-certified in sleep medicine. He opens up about surviving a widow-maker heart attack at 45, losing his son in a tragic accident, overcoming depression, getting hit by a car while training for an Ironman, and enduring multiple heart surgeries—all while revolutionizing how he treats patients.

This episode explores Brett's pioneering data collection using rhinometry on thousands of patients, his transition from traditional extraction-based orthodontics to skeletal expansion techniques, and why he believes orthodontists must become true doctors who treat patients, not just symptoms.

TIMESTAMPS:

04:02 - Farm Kid to Orthodontist
06:00 - Military Service & Dental School
09:00 - Discovering Orthodontics
11:00 - Starting Practice in Lewiston, Idaho
14:46 - The Turning Point: Expansion & Snoring
18:20 - Personal Health Crisis: The Heart Attack
24:00 - Dad's Sleep Apnea Discovery
28:00 - Introduction to Sleep Apnea Treatment
32:00 - Collecting Data with Rhinometry
38:00 - Kevin Boyd's Life-Changing Phone Call
42:00 - Transitioning to MARPE & Skeletal Expansion
56:00 - The Key to Sleep Apnea: Nasal Breathing
1:00:00 - Recovery & Becoming an Ironman
1:13:00 - The Bike Accident & Heart Failure
1:18:00 - Everly's Story: Treating a 3-Year-Old
1:21:00 - Parallels Between Dr. Mike & Dr. Brett
1:10:00 - Facing Opposition from the AAO
1:30:00 - Why Orthodontists Must Become Doctors
1:38:00 - The Future of Orthodontics
1:45:00 - Surprise Guest: Everly Visits!
1:51:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing

THREE SIGNIFICANT QUOTES:

"We need orthodontists to become doctors. Most orthodontists out there that are straightening teeth, taking out teeth and lining teeth are tooth technicians. We need to become doctors of our patients. We need to be treating the patient, not the symptom of the crooked, crowded teeth."

"The key to sleep apnea is not worrying as much about the tongue, it's worrying about getting the nasal passage opened. When we expand that maxilla and the nasal passage opens up and that pathway of airflow is just smooth, that patient can now breathe through their nose."

"My daughter changed my life. She looked at me and said, 'Dad, you say that you're the airway doctor. Kids die on the operating table from general anesthetic. I don't feel right about sending her. What are you gonna do?' That's when I started treating 3-year-olds."

KEY TOPICS: Early orthodontic intervention • MARPE for adults • Rhinometry data on thousands of patients • Nasal volume changes (3-8 cubic centimeters) • Treating children as young as 2-3 years old • The connection between sleep apnea and heart disease • Overcoming professional opposition • The future of orthodontics

CONNECT:

• Dr. Brett Christiansen - Christiansen Orthodontics (Lewiston, Grangeville, Moscow, ID): https://christensenbraces.com/
• Dr. Mike DeLuke - TheOrthoCoach.com | Dr.mike@theorthocoach.com
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC website: https://theorthocoach.com/

Episode Description:
Join me for an in-depth conversation with sleep medicine specialist and quadruple Board Certified Physician (Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine), Dr. Sima Tahir, as we discuss the critical role that sleep plays in overall health. Dr. Tahir shares her journey from working on the COVID-19 frontlines to opening her own boutique sleep practice in Manhattan, and why she believes sleep should be at the forefront of medical care.

Key Topics Covered:
Why Sleep Medicine Matters

• The lack of sleep education in medical schools and residencies
• Why sleep disorders are missed by traditional healthcare systems
• How sleep affects every aspect of health, from mood to chronic disease

Recognizing Sleep Disorders

• Warning signs in children AND adults (headaches, jaw pain, teeth grinding, brain fog, irritability)
• Why children should NEVER snore
• The connection between sleep disorders and ADHD/behavioral issues
• How sleep problems manifest differently in kids vs. adults

The Diagnostic Challenge

• Limitations of polysomnography (sleep studies)
• Why a normal AHI doesn't rule out sleep disorders
• Understanding upper airway resistance syndrome
• The importance of reviewing raw sleep study data

The Multidisciplinary Approach

• Why "sleep takes a team" - collaboration between physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and specialists
• How dental providers can detect sleep and breathing issues
• The role of orthodontics in addressing airway problems
• Breaking down silos between medical and dental

Sleep Quality vs. Quantity

• Why 7-9 hours isn't enough if quality is poor
• Understanding sleep architecture and circadian rhythms
• How weekend sleep schedule changes affect your entire week
• The one-hour-per-day recovery rule

Practical Sleep Hygiene

• The importance of consistent sleep/wake times
• How hormones (especially in perimenopause) affect sleep
• Why waking up multiple times per night is NOT normal
• Red flags that indicate you need a sleep evaluation

Perfect For:

• Healthcare providers (medical and dental)
• Parents concerned about their children's sleep
• Anyone experiencing chronic fatigue, brain fog, or sleep issues
• Professionals interested in the intersection of sleep and overall health

Timestamps:
3:08 (188s) - Meet Dr. Sima Tahir: From COVID Frontlines to Sleep Medicine
3:45 (225s) - Dr. Tahir's Background: Quadruple Board Certified Physician
8:08 (488s) - Why She Left Traditional Medicine to Open a Private Practice
13:25 (805s) - The Shocking Lack of Sleep Education in Medical Schools
22:17 (1337s) - Warning Signs of Sleep Disorders: Head-to-Toe Assessment
27:15 (1635s) - How Dentists & Orthodontists Can Detect Sleep Issues
33:52 (2032s) - The Truth About Sleep Studies: Why Normal Results Don't Rule Out Problems
45:22 (2722s) - Hormones, Aging, and Sleep: What Your Doctor Isn't Asking
53:30 (3210s) - What Does Good Sleep Actually Look Like?
60:38 (3638s) - Sleep Quality vs. Quantity: Waking Up During the Night
66:30 (3990s) - Wearables for Kids & The Future of Sleep Monitoring
70:59 (4259s) - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Dr. Tahir

Connect with Dr. Sima Tahir:
Website: https://drsaematahirmd.com/

Episode Description
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Susan Maples, a pioneering general dentist who has practiced in Holt, Michigan, for over 40 years. Dr. Maples shares her revolutionary approach to dentistry, which goes far beyond traditional "drill and fill" methods, focusing on total health, the oral-systemic connection, and empowering patients (especially children) to take control of their own health journey.

From her personal story of overcoming chronic illness as a child to developing the nationally recognized Hands-On Learning Lab for children, Dr. Maples demonstrates how dentistry can be the last bastion of hope for preventive healthcare in America.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The oral-systemic health connection and America's growing health crisis
• Why traditional "preventive" dental visits aren't actually preventing disease
• The revolutionary Hands-On Learning Lab approach for children
• How to implement root cause analysis in dental practice
• The role of Health Relationship Coordinators in patient care
• Airway health, sleep hygiene, and the gut microbiome
• Breaking free from insurance-driven dentistry
• Practical strategies for implementing holistic care in any practice setting

Episode Timeline
[3:43] - Dr. Susan's personal health journey - Overcoming chronic illness as a child
[13:00] - The bubble wrap moment - How one doctor changed everything through hands-on learning
[22:00] - Creating the Hands-On Learning Lab - 27 years of science experiments with kids
[37:00] - The paradigm shift dentistry needs - Moving from reactive to proactive care
[43:00] - Dropping all insurance contracts - Achieving true clinical independence
[55:00] - Facilitation vs. education - Getting curious with patients instead of telling
[1:05:00] - Mouth breathing and the oral microbiome connection
[1:10:00] - The Health Relationship Coordinator role - Bridging dentistry and medicine
[1:17:30] - Sleep hygiene fundamentals - Creating sleeping sanctuaries for children
[1:22:30] - The definition of a healer - Helping others see their wholeness
[1:25:00] - How to connect with Dr. Maples - Resources and final thoughts

Resources Mentioned

• Brave Parent - "Raising Healthy, Happy Kids Against All Odds in Today's World"
  • https://a.co/d/2OoBGle
• Blabbermouth - "77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life"
  • https://a.co/d/ajei0r5
• Total Health Academy - https://totalhealthacademy.net/
  • Online learning platform for dental professionals
• https://selfscreen.net/
  • Screening questionnaires for patient assessment
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• Outlive by Peter Attia

Connect with Dr. Susan Maples

• Email: susan@drsusanmaples.com
• Phone: (517) 819-6330
• Website: DrSusanMaples.com

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