In this episode, host Finn Geoghegan, EOS Honorary Secretary, is joined by Dirk Wiechmann and Dirk Bister to explore the evolution of lingual orthodontics, customised appliances and the changing relationship between clinical skill and technology.
From teaching complex techniques to the introduction of digital workflows and artificial intelligence, the discussion considers what innovation can – and cannot – replace in orthodontic practice.
Key topics include:
– Teaching lingual orthodontics – why introducing new techniques requires not only enthusiastic clinicians, but the right training environment, support team, and sufficient clinical experience.
– Technology versus clinical skill – whether customised appliances risk de-skilling orthodontists, and why diagnosis, treatment planning, manual ability, and adherence to clinical protocols remain fundamental.
– Innovation in customised appliances – how new bracket designs, individual arch wires and highly personalised manufacturing processes are developed, tested, and refined before entering wider clinical use.
– AI and the future of appliance production – how artificial intelligence could dramatically reduce the time required to create personalised setups, potentially making customised treatment more accessible without replacing the orthodontist’s expertise.
Tune in for a fascinating conversation about innovation, education and why increasingly sophisticated technology remains a vehicle for clinical expertise rather than a substitute for it.
