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 upThe origin story behind WildSmiles Braces and how a young patient’s necklace sparked the ideaClarke’s advice for aspiring orthodontist inventors navigating patents, prototypes, and product developmentThe unexpected chain of events that helped secure a Disney licensing dealHow OrthoVoice laid the groundwork for many of today’s orthodontic meetingsRecorded 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 EraserMusical Tribute:  ‘Tea for Two' by Vincent YoumansJoin 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.