From Restorative Dentistry to Orthodontics: The Transformative Journey of Dr. Courtney Lavigne
Release Date: 10/09/2023
How to Do a Beautiful Class Four in the Same Time as a Regular Filling with Dr. Susan McMahon
Dental Slang
What if you could do a beautiful class four in the same 30 minutes you’d spend on a regular filling? In this episode, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Susan McMahon, an AACD-accredited restorative dentist out of Pittsburgh and one of the most recognized clinicians in the country. Susan is the founder of Smiles in the City, a fee-for-service restorative practice she built from the ground up after starting her career in a drill-fill-and-bill amalgam office. The conversation takes a personal turn early when Susan tells the story of the $100,000 laser whitening system she signed up for...
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Whole-Body Health with Dr. Hugh Coyne
Dental Slang
In this conversation, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Hugh Coyne, a London-based family medicine practitioner and the son of a pediatric dentist, who built Coyne Medical with his wife and clinical partner Dr. Lucy Coyne specifically to practice the kind of preventive medicine the NHS 10-minute appointment window does not allow. His training at Imperial College London and postgraduate work in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric health, and sports medicine give him a panoramic view of the screening opportunities most dentists are sitting on without realizing it. Dr. Coyne walks through the...
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Pain-Free Dentistry, On Purpose: Dr. Mark Skimming on the 80% of Dentistry That Isn't Clinical
Dental Slang
In this episode, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Mark Skimming, the Glasgow-based founder of Pain-Free Dentistry Group and the name that comes up more than any other when other guests on the show are asked about mentoring, coaching, or the business side of dentistry. Dr. Skimming has built a 14-practice independent group across Scotland, fully self-funded, with no bank loans and no private equity, on the back of a systems-first philosophy he learned the hard way. Most conversations about practice growth focus on the clinical or the financial. This one focuses on the operational glue that...
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When Dentistry Becomes Diagnosis with Dr. Ratna Indah on Systems, Science, and the Bigger Health Picture
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. Ratna Indah shares how her background in journalism and a deeply personal family health journey shaped her approach to wellness dentistry. She explores the growing body of science behind the mouth–body connection and explains how oral health can reveal early signs of systemic disease, inflammation, and long‑term health risk. Dr. Indah also discusses what it truly takes to build a wellness‑focused dental practice—from salivary diagnostics and laser therapy to patient education, systems, and team protocols. She breaks down the realities of...
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Know Your Numbers with Wyatt Ferber: Bottom Line Business Planning
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang podcast, Wyatt Ferber breaks down the financial framework behind a profitable, efficient dental practice. He explains the key metrics every practice owner must understand including gross profit, associate costs, lab expenses, contribution and net profit. With a clear view of the numbers, dentists can make smarter decisions, reduce waste and protect cash flow while maintaining high clinical standards. Wyatt also explores the strategic side of practice growth. From evaluating when to bring on an associate to aligning business decisions with personal...
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Performance Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and the NFL with Dr. Chad Kasperowski
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Chad Kasperowski, a clinician whose career spans surgery, implants, airway, wellness dentistry, and digital workflows. He also serves as the team dentist for the Washington Commanders. Dr. Kasperowski shares how his early experiences shaped a philosophy rooted in whole‑body wellness, advanced diagnostics, and truly listening to patients. He breaks down why airway issues are hiding in plain sight, how oral inflammation affects systemic health and athletic recovery, and what he’s learned from treating some of...
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A Biological Approach to Endodontics with Dr. Vi Ho
Dental Slang
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Vi Ho, a certified biological endodontist, to explore a completely different approach to patient care—one that connects oral health to overall wellness. From advanced laser techniques to biocompatible materials, Dr. Ho is redefining what it means to be an endodontist in today’s wellness-focused practice. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen: Discover the Mouth-Body Connection: Dr. Ho explains how oral health impacts overall wellness and why she integrates functional nutrition into her endodontic practice. Inside What it Means to be a...
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Growing with Heart: How Dr. JP Bastien Built a Thriving Dental Practice
Dental Slang
In this episode, Dr. Richard (JP) Bastien shares how he grew his practice from early-stage ownership into a thriving multi-doctor model by leading with empathy, recruiting intentionally and embracing technology without losing sight of core values. He reflects on the realities of hiring, leadership development, operational efficiency and the role of AI in modern dentistry, offering practical insights for dentists navigating growth while protecting culture and quality of care. Key Takeaways Recruitment and culture: Learn how to attract and retain clinicians who fit your practice values and...
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From One Office to Twelve: Scaling Your Dental Practice with Dr. Pete McClellan
Dental Slang
Get an inside look at how Dr. Pete McClellan built a thriving multi-location practice without losing sight of relationships, communication and clinical clarity. In this episode, he shares the systems, lessons and leadership principles that helped him scale sustainably, support mid-career dentists, and create practices where doctors can thrive without burning out. In This Episode You Will Learn Strategies for identifying the right team members as you scale from one office to multiple locations. Common mistakes dentists make when expanding their practice and how to avoid them. How to delegate...
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Rethinking Perio Care: Innovation & Collaboration with Dr. John Bruce
Dental Slang
In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. John Bruce shares his approach to modern periodontal care, combining advanced diagnostics, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship to elevate patient outcomes. From incorporating blood and bacterial testing to uncover hidden health connections, to collaborating with orthodontists, oral surgeons, and study club peers, Dr. Bruce offers a fresh perspective on comprehensive dental care. He also highlights the transformative impact of mentorship with nationally recognized periodontist Dr. David Mugford, detailing how learning from...
info_outlineDr. Courtney Lavigne's unique career path took her from a decade of practicing restorative dentistry to orthodontics. She holds accreditations and fellowships from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Pierre Fruchard Academy. Dr. Lavigne is a renowned lecturer in dental aesthetics and comprehensive care. She established a patient-centric, aesthetics-focused practice in the Boston suburbs before pursuing an orthodontic residency at Tufts University.
Driven by her fascination with airway and occlusion, Dr. Lavigne transitioned to orthodontics, aiming to provide truly interdisciplinary care. She sold her cosmetic practice and embarked on her orthodontic journey in July 2020.
In her orthodontic practice, Dr. Lavigne combines her restorative dentistry expertise with orthodontic training, prioritizing comprehensive treatment planning that considers both facial aesthetics and three-dimensional tooth alignment. Her ultimate goal is to achieve each patient's ideal outcome, going beyond just achieving a Class I canine occlusion.
Dr. Lavigne also highlights the critical significance of early orthodontic evaluations, recommending that children undergo orthodontic assessments around age seven. She underscores factors such as crossbites, functional shifts, and crowding in primary teeth as potential indicators for early intervention.
Shifting gears, Dr. Lavigne discusses the utilization of 3D printing for orthodontic brackets and the influence of artificial intelligence in enhancing treatment planning precision. She stresses that while aligner technology is a valuable tool, the practitioner's skill and understanding of the software play a pivotal role in achieving successful outcomes.
Dr. Lavigne shares her perspective on AACD accreditation, emphasizing how it not only enhances clinical skills but also builds a robust referral network within the dental community. She notes that the journey of personal growth and improvement throughout the accreditation process is equally valuable as achieving the accreditation itself.
As a practitioner who values continuous learning, Dr. Lavigne underscores the significance of mentorship. She advises younger dentists not to hesitate in reaching out to experienced colleagues for guidance and mentorship opportunities. She shares her own experiences with various study groups and organizations that have been instrumental in her professional growth.
For more information, follow Dr. Lavigne on Instagram @courtneylavignedmd or email hello@courtneylavigne.com.