On the Golden Age of Orthodontics, hosts Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein welcome Dr. Kristen Knecht to discuss how to revolutionize practice efficiency through indirect bonding. Dr. Knecht shares how her Houston startup practice grew 40-50% annually, forcing critical decisions about patient care delivery. Rather than hiring more staff, she redesigned her clinical orthodontics workflow with KLOwen custom brackets. The results were dramatic: reduced appointment scheduling burdens, eliminated bracket placement bottlenecks, and cut average case length by 40%. Learn her strategies for successful staff training, managing lab fees, and why partial technology adoption fails.What you will Learn in this Episode:How implementing indirect bonding completely transformed Dr. Knecht’s practice efficiency by freeing up hours of doctor time and reducing emergency appointments through superior bracket placement accuracy and isolation protocols.Why partial adoption of custom bracket systems fails and how Dr. Knecht's all-in approach with KLOwen enabled her team to master bonding technique, eliminate pan and repo appointments, and achieve consistent results across all cases.Strategic timing for practice management changes, including how Dr. Knecht planned her technology rollout during slower seasons to ensure successful staff training and avoid the common pitfalls that derail orthodontic practice growth.Subscribe to the Golden Age of Orthodontics and our sister podcast, Practice Talk, hosted by Lacie Ellis, wherever you listen to stay updated on orthodontic innovation and real-world practice strategies. Visit People in Practice for more insights and to connect with our team for practice growth solutions.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Dr. Kristen Knecht discusses practice growth challenges and schedule management struggles08:50 Discovery of indirect bonding through a colleague's experience with KLOwen custom brackets12:08 Strategic implementation timing and preparing staff training for technology transition16:16 Measurable results: reducing visits from 21 to 12.5 and improving revenue per visit22:01 Why full commitment to the custom bracket system matters more than partial adoption27:03 Advice for startup practice owners on adopting orthodontic technology earlyKEY TAKEAWAYS: Indirect bonding requires complete commitment to realize benefits. Dr. Knecht emphasizes that dabbling with one case per week prevents staff from achieving proficiency in the bonding technique and fails to demonstrate the system's true time-saving potential.Strategic fee adjustments offset lab fees while delivering superior value. By raising fees by $200-250 and eliminating one visit through improved treatment planning and digital setup, practices can justify the investment while improving the patient experience.Early technology adoption in a startup practice prevents staffing challenges. Mastering systems like KLOwen, when schedules allow, enables easier clinical orthodontics workflow changes and reduces dependency on expanding teams as practice growth accelerates.ABOUT THE GUEST: Dr. Kristen Knecht, a Baton Rouge native, has always been passionate about creating beautiful, healthy smiles. As a board-certified orthodontist, she combines meticulous attention to detail with a deep commitment to improving her patients’ lives. She completed her orthodontic specialty training at the renowned University of Connecticut, where she worked with world-renowned faculty and developed expertise in advanced orthodontic techniques.EducationLouisiana State University – Bachelor of Science in BiologyLSU Health Science Center – Doctor of Dental SurgeryUniversity of Connecticut Health Science Center – Orthodontic Specialty Certification and Master of Dental ScienceA Holistic Approach to OrthodonticsDr. Knecht believes orthodontics is about much more than creating straight teeth — it’s about improving lives. Her approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of malocclusions, with a strong emphasis on the connection between jaw development, airway health, and overall well-being. Her passion for this approach was inspired by her sister’s struggles with mouth breathing and airway issues as an adult, challenges that could have been addressed during her critical growth years.Dr. Knecht - Email