Restorative First, Ortho Second: The Paradigm Shift in Complex Case Planning with Dr. Marcela Alvarez — Dental Digest Podcast with Dr. Melissa Seibert

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In this episode of Dental Digest, host Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Dr. Marcella Alvarez, prosthodontist and educator, to explore one of the most transformative ideas in modern interdisciplinary dentistry—pre-orthodontic bonding.

Dr. Alvarez explains how this restorative-driven approach flips the traditional sequence by establishing anatomy and function before orthodontic treatment. The result: improved collaboration, reduced guesswork, and highly predictable outcomes for patients with severe wear and collapsed bites. Together, they discuss practical workflows—analog and digital—diagnostic frameworks from Robbins and Rouse's Global Diagnosis, and the critical role of airway-conscious planning in long-term success.

Whether you're a GP, prosthodontist, or orthodontist, this conversation reframes how you think about sequencing, diagnosis, and comprehensive, minimally invasive care.