Q&A with Dr. Tom Pitts
Dr. Tom Pitts
Q&A with Dr. Tom Pitts: Unlocking the Secret to Faster, More Aesthetic Orthodontic Finishes
Dr. Tom Pitts is a legend in the field of orthodontics. With 55 years of experience, he has spent decades refining techniques that not only enhance aesthetics but also improve efficiency and profitability in orthodontic treatment. As a pioneer in passive self-ligation and creator of the Pitts Protocol, Dr. Pitts has transformed how orthodontists achieve outstanding results. In this exclusive Q&A, he shares insights into his upcoming lecture at OP Summit 2025 and why orthodontists can’t afford to miss it.
Q: Dr. Pitts, can you give us a quick overview of your career and what sets you apart in orthodontics?
Dr. Pitts: I’ve been practicing for 55 years, starting in Reno, NV, where I still practice today. I began teaching in 1999 at the University of the Pacific, where I spent 20 years before moving on to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later Roseman University. Over the years, I’ve worked with companies like Ormco and Ortho Classic to develop and refine self-ligating systems, leading to what is now the Pitts Protocol—a system designed to deliver superior aesthetics with maximum efficiency.
I sold my practice to my son in 2009 and shifted my focus to education and innovation. Today, I still practice a few days a month while teaching and refining our square wire treatment system, which has proven to be one of the most efficient and effective systems for orthodontic treatment.
Outside of orthodontics, I enjoy fishing and golfing, but my passion remains in advancing the field and helping orthodontists achieve the best results possible.
Q: I know you’re planning on speaking this year at Summit - what will you be covering?
Dr. Pitts: My lecture will focus on achieving outstanding aesthetics in orthodontic finishing—while dramatically improving efficiency. Instead of taking two years, most of our cases finish in under 15 months. The system is built around reducing treatment time, enhancing results, and ultimately increasing profitability.
Every appointment saved means an additional $100+ in profit, plus it frees up your chair for new patients. The best marketing tool an orthodontist has is showing stunning before-and-after results. In my lecture, I’ll walk through the exact steps we take to ensure those results are not just possible, but predictable.
Q: Can you tell us more about the Pitts Protocol and how it works?
Dr. Pitts: Absolutely. The Pitts Protocol is all about creating beautiful smiles with optimal function using less force and greater efficiency. One of the key elements of the system is disarticulation—using bite buttons to control the movement of specific teeth based on the case type. This allows us to strategically extrude and intrude teeth, correct deep bites, and achieve smile aesthetics that truly transform a patient’s personality.
Traditionally, orthodontists would intrude both the upper and lower anterior teeth to correct a deep bite. However, I’ve developed a method that not only corrects the bite but also extrudes the upper anterior teeth—enhancing the smile arc and facial balance in ways that traditional methods don’t.
Q: Will you be covering specific case studies in your lecture at Summit?
Dr. Pitts: Yes, I’ll be showing real cases where we’ve treated severe crowding non-extraction using immediate elastics and disarticulation. I’ll also demonstrate how we handle mesofacial and brachyfacial cases with different protocols to optimize aesthetics and function.
I want orthodontists to leave with actionable knowledge they can implement immediately—whether it’s in treatment planning, bracket placement, or finishing techniques that cut down treatment time.
Q: How does this all tie into financial success for your practice?
Dr. Pitts: Efficiency is everything. The fewer appointments you need, the more profitable your practice becomes. If you can consistently finish cases in under 15 months instead of 24, you’re saving chair time, reducing overhead, and increasing patient satisfaction—all while delivering better results.
The Pitts Protocol is not just a clinical system; it’s a business strategy. It improves patient outcomes, enhances your reputation, and ultimately boosts your bottom line. Glenn [Dr. Glenn Krieger] was very clear that OP Summit 2025 is all about practical, profitable strategies for orthodontists, and that’s exactly what I’ll be delivering.
Q: Any final words for orthodontists considering attending OP Summit 2025?
Dr. Pitts: If you want to take your cases from good to exceptional while cutting treatment time and increasing profitability, you need to be there. The techniques I’ll be sharing are game-changers. OP Summit 2025 is a chance to learn from the best in the field and take your practice to the next level. I look forward to seeing you all in Las Vegas!
