In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I get fired up about something that far too many orthodontists overlook: occlusion fundamentals. Not just cuspid rise vs. group function, but how to recognize when a case needs to be treated in CR, how to make a full-coverage splint, and why even a simple occlusal equilibration can radically improve a patient’s quality of life. I share what I learned from my three-year gnathological residency at the University of Washington, and why I believe every orthodontist should have this level of working knowledge — especially if you’re restoring full arch cases with aligners or fixed appliances.
I also float an idea I’ve been on the fence about: a day-and-a-half live course on occlusion — practical, clinical, and built for orthodontists who want to elevate their diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcomes. If you’ve ever seen a post on group function and wondered, “Is this OK?” — this episode is your wake-up call. It’s time we stop treating occlusion as an afterthought and start embracing it as foundational to our profession.
QUOTES
"For many of you out there, you're burning the candle on both ends… That's not a consulting problem. That's a coaching problem."
– Dr. Glenn Krieger
"Will it be cheap? Absolutely not. Will I guarantee you'll make 5x what you spend in your first year? Absolutely."
– Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro & coaching vs. consulting preview (00:00)
The 4 types of growth support: peer groups, mentors, consultants, coaches (01:30)
Why peer support (like Orthopreneurs RD) matters — but isn’t enough (02:50)
The limits of consultants: they fix problems, not whole practices (04:10)
Coaching = curriculum + accountability + transformation (05:30)
The Schuster Center story & how it changed Dr. Krieger’s life (07:15)
What the 2026 Orthopreneurs Coaching Program will include (09:30)
Call to action: Reach out if you're ready to scale with less stress (11:30)
Additional Resources
If you’re tired of feeling unsure about what to do when a patient’s bite “just doesn’t feel right,” I’m putting together a potential one-day or day-and-a-half Occlusion Fundamentals for Orthodontists course. We’ll cover CR manipulation, splint design, equilibration, and more. DM me if you’re interested — if there’s enough demand, we’ll make it happen. It’ll be practical, hands-on, and something you’ll use every week in practice.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com

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