🎙️ What if I told you the biggest shift in your practice might start with asking one simple question… “Does your child snore?”

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I’m joined once again by Dr. Shira Tor—an exceptional clinician, practice owner, mom of three, and returning guest with an incredible voice in our community. We talk about the realities of modern orthodontics: the burnout, the beauty, and the burden of doing it all.

But this conversation goes way beyond brackets and bands. Shira opens up about the emotional toll of trying to “be everything to everyone”—from running a thriving practice to being present as a mother and partner. We also dive headfirst into the topic of airway-focused orthodontics—how we’ve both changed the way we treat patients, what pediatricians and ENTs often miss, and why we need to lead this conversation in our profession.

Quotes

“Once you see it, you can't unsee it. And once you ask the right questions, you realize how much we’ve been missing all along.”
— Dr. Shira Tor

“I can’t do everything. I’ve learned to say no to the PTA, and yes to being present for my family. It doesn’t make me a bad mom—it makes me a better one.”
— Dr. Shira Tor

Key Takeaways
- Intro & Shira’s journey (00:00)
- How a childhood diastema sparked her love for ortho (01:00)
- Building a practice with her mentor and partner (02:55)
- Why she wouldn’t necessarily encourage her daughters to pursue ortho (04:00)
- Being a female orthodontist in today’s climate (08:00)
- Balancing ambition with motherhood and real life (17:00)
- What burnout looks like—and how she avoids it (19:00)
- Why she makes time for workouts, therapy, and marriage (24:00)
- The ortho-as-gatekeeper model for airway care (26:00)
- The dangers of staying silent on airway issues (35:00)
- Partnering with ENTs, sleep MDs, and myofunctional therapists (37:00)
- Honest thoughts on what it means to be Jewish in today’s America (45:00)
- How to be an ally—without being political (56:00)

Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how burnout, isolation, and trying to be “perfect” can quietly wear down even the most accomplished orthodontists. If you’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or questioning if you’re doing enough—you are not alone.
Find your people. Build your systems. And start asking the questions that actually move your practice and life forward—like we did in this episode.

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