Ep. 44: Dr. Clarke Stevens – WildSmiles Braces, Disney Licensing & Advice for Orthodontist Inventors

Dr. Clarke Stevens is an innovative orthodontist from Omaha, Nebraska, and the creator of WildSmiles Braces.  Clarke turned a creative spark into a patented bracket system that blends treatment with self-expression—and most recently collaborated with Disney. His career reflects a unique intersection of clinical excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and imaginative leadership.

On this episode, you will discover:

• How Clarke built a fun, patient-centered orthodontic practice from the ground up
• The origin story behind WildSmiles Braces and how a young patient’s necklace sparked the idea
• Clarke’s advice for aspiring orthodontist inventors navigating patents, prototypes, and product development
• The unexpected chain of events that helped secure a Disney licensing deal
• How OrthoVoice laid the groundwork for many of today’s orthodontic meetings

Recorded January 24, 2025 at the AAO | AAPD Winter Conference in Marco Island, FL.

Generous support for this podcast comes from Solventum and LightForce Orthodontics.

Illuminate Spotlight – Synapse Dental Pain Eraser

Musical Tribute:  ‘Tea for Two' by Vincent Youmans

Join the community of forward-thinking orthodontists and catch up on every episode at illuminateorthopodcast.com — where innovation meets inspiration.

The Illuminate Orthodontic Podcast explores cutting-edge orthodontics and dentistry, offering orthodontists insights on innovation, patient care, custom braces, Invisalign & aligners, and 3D printing — while spotlighting leadership, practice growth, work-life balance, and the business of running a thriving orthodontic practice with creativity and entrepreneurship.