The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

I’ve had hundreds of conversations with orthodontists about DSOs, OSOs, and private equity—and here’s the truth: most of you are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong information. In this episode, I sit down with Connor Jorgensen, Director at Tusk Practice Sales, to cut through the noise and talk about what’s actually happening in today’s market.

If you’ve ever wondered what your practice is worth, how equity really works, or whether you’re leaving money (or opportunity) on the table… This episode will give you clarity—and probably challenge a few assumptions along the way.

Quotes

“When someone tells you you’re going to get a 5–7x return on your equity… that’s unrealistic. If you’re making decisions based on that, you need to run for the hills.”
 — Connor Jorgensen

“If you’re going to count DSO equity as zero, then you have to count your private practice as zero too. You’re just trading one form of equity for another.”
 — Connor Jorgensen

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Why “just say no to DSOs” is bad advice (00:16)
Connor’s background and insider perspective (04:08)
OSO vs DSO vs multi-specialty: what actually matters (06:24)
How brokers work—and who they really represent (09:09)
Equity vs cash: what orthodontists misunderstand (11:19)
Why 5–7x equity claims are misleading (13:12)
The biggest mistake advisors make about equity value (16:18)
Why selling often beats holding long-term (18:07)
How OSOs improve profitability overnight (24:55)
Cultural myths: what really happens after you sell (28:02)
Why education—not opinion—should drive your decision (29:57)

Additional Resources

Connor and the team at Tusk Practice Sales will walk you through a complimentary orthodontic valuation analysis—no pressure, no obligation, just real numbers and real insight so you can make the right decision for your future.

👉 Reach out directly:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://tuskpracticesales.com
Phone: 704-302-1043

Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

What if I told you the smartest way to approach airway isn’t to become the hero in the room — it’s to become the gatekeeper who knows exactly when, where, and how to refer?
In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, I tackle one of the most polarizing conversations in orthodontics: airway and sleep-disordered breathing. There’s so much noise, ego, and misinformation around this topic that a lot of orthodontists either jump in too aggressively or back away completely. My take is simple: neither extreme serves patients well. We don’t need to diagnose everything ourselves — but we do need to know enough to recognize red flags, evaluate the orthodontic pieces we are responsible for, and collaborate with the right interdisciplinary team.
Quotes
“We are part of a bigger puzzle. We’re just one piece and if we work together with the science and our referral base, we’ll be able to treat people really, really well.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger
“We need to be gatekeepers and we need to work with ENTs and oral surgeons and myofunctional therapists and pediatric dentists.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Why the airway conversation has become so overblown in orthodontics (00:25)
Why orthodontists should be gatekeepers — not lone diagnosticians (00:46)
The real problem with extreme pro-airway vs. anti-airway positions (02:17)
How to use symptoms, occlusion, anatomy, and CBCT responsibly (04:55)
When to treat the occlusion and when to refer to the interdisciplinary team (06:11)
Why ENTs, oral surgeons, myofunctional therapists, and radiologists matter (06:32)
What Dr. Krieger’s Scottsdale airway course will teach orthodontists and teams (06:43)
Why collaborative care creates better outcomes than ideology ever will (08:24)
A real example of how orthodontic-ENT collaboration changed a child’s life (10:08)

Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how airway and sleep-disordered breathing can become one of the most rewarding parts of an orthodontic practice — but only when we stay in our lane, know what we’re looking at, and work with the right team. 
If you want to learn how to evaluate these cases more thoughtfully, collaborate more effectively, and treat patients with greater confidence, keep an eye out for the upcoming airway and sleep-disordered breathing meeting in Scottsdale. And if you want to learn more about Orthopreneurs RD, message me directly.
Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home 
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

I’ve seen a lot of innovation in this space over the years—but every once in a while, something comes along that makes you stop and think, “Okay… this actually changes things.” In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mehdi Peikar—orthodontist, physicist, and one of the most fascinating minds you’ll ever meet—to talk about where orthodontics is heading and what happens when you combine AI, biomechanics, and true customization.

Mehdi walks us through his journey—from studying quantum mechanics and biomechanics at some of the top institutions in the world to building award-winning orthodontic technologies—and now launching Celebrace, a fully customized 3D-printed bracket system that flips traditional orthodontics on its head. We’re not talking about “low, medium, high torque” anymore… we’re talking about precision-built prescriptions for every single tooth, for every single patient.

But this episode goes deeper than just a product. We get into the future—AI, robotics, and yes… even the possibility of orthodontics being automated someday. Whether that excites you or terrifies you, one thing is clear: the doctors who understand where things are going are the ones who will thrive.

Celebrace is a 100% digital, AI-driven, fully custom metal braces system, designed to bring greater precision and consistency to finishing. If you’re interested in seeing how it works in practice, LEARN MORE and get started.

Quotes

“Nobody’s really MBT or Roth—every case is unique. Now we finally have the tools to treat patients that way.”
 — Dr. Mehdi Peikar

“You approve the treatment plan… and we reverse engineer the bracket to match it exactly.”
 — Dr. Mehdi Peikar

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Mehdi’s journey: ortho → physics → innovation (01:13)
Why quantum mechanics thinking shapes innovation (03:54)
AI vs. quantum computing—what’s actually impacting us now (07:12)
Will AI replace orthodontists? (09:08)
The future: robots, automation, and orthodontics at home (11:54)
Why traditional prescriptions (MBT/Roth) are outdated (26:26)
What makes Celebrace different from other “custom” systems (33:03)
How fully custom brackets improve efficiency and finishing (29:31)
Reverse-engineering treatment plans into exact prescriptions (34:16)
Digital orthodontics: where braces are heading next (32:48)

Additional Resources

If you’re even remotely curious about where orthodontics is heading—and how to stay ahead of it—this is one you don’t want to ignore.

👉 Learn more about Celebrace at: https://celebrace.com
👉 Or reach out directly: [email protected]

And if you’re heading to AAO, make sure to check them out in person—you’ll want to see this technology up close.

Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

What if I told you your practice could grow to $3M+ without working harder—just by fixing the leaks in your funnel?
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I challenge you to take a hard, honest look at your practice performance. If you’re stuck at $1.6M–$1.9M and grinding four-plus days a week, the problem isn’t effort—it’s efficiency. Somewhere in your marketing, your conversions, your case acceptance, or your systems… you’re leaking. And the good news? You can fix it without adding more hours to your schedule.
I break down what a sustainable, profitable orthodontic practice really looks like—and why a $3M, three-day-a-week model is not only realistic, but repeatable. We talk about the real drivers of growth: effective marketing, strong phone and TC systems, leadership, and patient experience. If you’re ready to stop making excuses and start making changes, this episode will give you a clear, practical path forward.
Quotes
“I can almost guarantee you that no matter where you practice… your practice is not reaching its potential for what you want.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger
“Somewhere along your funnel, you’re leaking—and you can be much more effective with no more work.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Why most orthodontists are stuck below their potential (00:30)
The $3M practice model: realistic, sustainable, and repeatable (01:00)
Why working more days isn’t the solution (02:05)
The 4 key growth drivers: marketing, conversion, case acceptance, leadership (03:45)
Why most orthodontists don’t know how to “close” cases effectively (04:20)
How to build projections and take control of your numbers (04:55)
Identifying and fixing leaks in your practice funnel (06:30)
Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how small improvements in your funnel can unlock massive growth—without adding more stress or more hours to your week.
If you’re serious about building a more efficient, profitable, and scalable practice, join me at the 4M “Make More Money” Meeting in Nashville. We’ll break down your numbers, your systems, and your strategy—from start to finish—so you can finally build the practice you actually want.
Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home 
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

🎙️ What if the biggest thing holding you back in your career… is something you’re too afraid to walk away from?
I’ve seen it over and over again—orthodontists staying stuck because of time, money, or the fear of starting over. But what if the real key to long-term success isn’t pushing through… it’s knowing when to pivot?
In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Dr. John Graham, and we go deep into one of the most unconventional journeys you’ll ever hear in orthodontics—from walking away from an oral surgery residency just months before finishing… to building a thriving orthodontic career and life on his own terms.

Quotes
“You either need to get a handle on this—or you need to make a change. Because that’s not how you should be living your life.”
 — Dr. John Graham
“People are imprisoned by their past… they think they’ve invested too much to change, so they just decide to be miserable.”
 — Dr. John Graham
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
John’s unconventional path from oral surgery to orthodontics (00:33)
The moment that changed everything (the pager story) (15:44)
Why sunk cost fallacy keeps orthodontists stuck (25:57)
The power of visiting other practices and mentorship (08:25)
Why successful orthodontists are lifelong learners (09:16)
Taking risks vs. playing it safe in your career (33:34)
Why more orthodontists are partnering earlier (42:17)
Inside the decision to join Smile Doctors (34:59)
The truth about independence in DSOs/OSOs (49:20)
John’s psilocybin retreat experience and mindset shift (50:46)
How perspective, connection, and purpose impact your life (01:03:54)
Additional Resources
If this episode hit home for you—and you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just questioning your next move—don’t ignore that feeling.
👉 Reach out. Have a conversation. Visit another practice. Explore your options.
And if you want to talk through your situation, I’m always happy to help—just connect with me directly.
Because at the end of the day, your career shouldn’t feel like a trap…
 It should feel like something you chose.
Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs