Ep. 675 - Revolutionizing Case Acceptance with CBCT and Motivational Interviewing

When a patient has nagging tooth pain that two dentists couldn't diagnose, what technology can finally reveal the hidden pathology? The answer lies in advanced diagnostic tools that are transforming modern dental practice.

Join Dr. Lori Trost, a comprehensive restorative dentist with over two decades of experience in Columbia, Illinois. Dr. Trost maintains a full-time practice focused on esthetic dentistry with a wellness approach and lectures extensively throughout North America as a clinical evaluator for dental manufacturers. She is a member of the ADA, ASDA, and AGD, serves as a board member of the AACO, and was honored as a Shils Foundation Award Recipient from the ADA for Entrepreneurial Spirit and Leadership. Most recently, she was named as one of the "Top 25 Women in Dentistry" by Dental Products Report.

This episode explores how combining advanced imaging technology with patient-centered communication creates a powerful formula for both accurate diagnosis and higher case acceptance. Dr. Trost demonstrates how CBCT technology paired with motivational interviewing techniques transforms patient interactions and treatment outcomes.

Episode Highlights:

• CBCT technology enables definitive diagnosis of vertical root fractures that are impossible to detect on conventional 2D radiographs. The technology provides 550 to 700 shades of gray compared to the 50 to 70 shades visible on traditional X-rays, allowing practitioners to identify pathology that would otherwise remain hidden.
• Motivational interviewing follows a four-step process beginning with "How can I help you?" - five powerful words that establish trust and calm patient fears. This patient-centered approach includes reflective listening, treatment planning with positive outcomes, and ensuring consistent team messaging throughout the practice.
• Digital workflow integration requires strategic technology purchasing aligned with practice brand and procedures. Essential components include partnering with laboratories to select compatible scanning platforms, investing in large operatory monitors for visual case presentation, and establishing seamless referral systems with specialists.
• Case presentation becomes dramatically more effective when practitioners can immediately capture CBCT images, annotate pathology with drawing tools, and email visual evidence to patients and referring specialists. This technology stack enables same-appointment diagnosis and treatment planning with measurably higher acceptance rates.
• AI-powered diagnostic systems serve as clinical partners that provide objective analysis of decay and periodontal conditions. These tools enhance diagnostic confidence and help practitioners transition from subjective clinical judgment to evidence-based treatment recommendations backed by quantifiable data.

Perfect for: General dentists seeking to integrate advanced diagnostic technology, practitioners looking to improve case acceptance rates, and dental teams interested in patient-centered communication techniques.

Discover how the right technology stack combined with proven communication strategies can transform your diagnostic capabilities and patient relationships.