The orthodontic market is more competitive than ever. With new practices opening up and digital-savvy patients doing their homework before booking a consultation, standing out requires more than just a website and a few Facebook posts. The global dental services market is projected to reach over $700 billion by 2030, signaling not only growth but also increased competition. If you’re looking to grow your patient base, this guide breaks down 20 innovative marketing strategies that orthodontic marketing companies and digital marketing agencies for dentists swear by. These aren’t just ideas, they’re real-world tactics that drive traffic, boost conversions, and build long-term patient relationships.
Let’s dive in.
To attract nearby patients actively searching for services, focus on hyper-local SEO. Ensure your Google Business Profile is fully optimized with accurate business hours, services, and images. Implement local schema markup on your website to help search engines understand your location. Create geo-targeted content, such as blog posts or landing pages, for each city or neighborhood you serve.
Pro Tip: Add city-specific service pages like “Invisalign Treatment in Dallas” to improve local rankings and visibility.
Short-form video content is dominating social media and offers a powerful way to connect with potential patients. Platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts are perfect for showcasing bite-sized educational clips, quick FAQs, or behind-the-scenes footage. Use engaging visuals, music, and captions to capture attention quickly.
Example: Film a time-lapse of a patient’s Invisalign journey with a friendly voice-over explaining each step of the treatment and results. Keep it informative, authentic, and shareable.
Boost visibility and engagement by partnering with local influencers or launching a giveaway campaign on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Offer a free consultation, teeth whitening session, or discount on braces/Invisalign in exchange for follows, shares, and tags. These campaigns generate buzz and attract highly targeted local leads.
Pro Tip: Require participants to enter via email; this helps grow your newsletter list and allows you to nurture leads even after the campaign ends.
Authentic content resonates far more than polished stock visuals. Incorporate real patient testimonials, before-and-after photos, and candid video snippets into your Facebook, Instagram, and Google ad campaigns. Showcasing actual smiles and stories builds trust and relatability, which can drive clicks and conversions.
Fact: Ads featuring real patients can generate up to 35% more engagement compared to those using generic stock images; authenticity builds emotional connection and credibility with potential patients.
A visually appealing website alone won’t convert visitors into patients. Ensure your site has clear calls-to-action (CTAs), an easy-to-use online scheduling system, and a mobile-first design that adapts seamlessly across devices. Adding live chat functionality can help answer questions instantly.
Pro Tip: Place a “Book Your Free Consultation” button on every page to encourage immediate action.
Only 2–3% of first-time visitors convert on your website, but you can retarget them with follow-up ads. Highlight patient success stories, testimonials, or limited-time offers to re-engage potential clients and encourage them to take the next step.
Orthodontic marketing companies always recommend content that answers common questions. Write about braces, aligners, costs, timelines, etc.
Example Blog Titles:
Post-COVID, patients expect convenience. Use tools like SmileSnap or SimplyConsult to offer no-obligation virtual consultations.
Work with micro-influencers in your city to share their treatment journey. It humanizes your brand and builds trust.
Pro Tip: Partner with local moms, health bloggers, or beauty influencers.
Don’t let leads go cold. Send newsletters with treatment tips, patient stories, and seasonal offers.
Pro Tip: Segment your list by stage (e.g., new inquiry, in-treatment, post-treatment) for personalized messaging.
Use paid search campaigns targeting high-intent keywords like “best orthodontist in [city]” or “Invisalign near me” to reach individuals actively seeking services. Enhance your ads with extensions like call buttons, location info, and additional links to drive direct action.
Reward patients who refer friends with discounts, gift cards, or even account credit.
Fact: Referred patients have a 37% higher retention rate.
List your practice on dental directories like ZocDoc, Healthgrades, and local health networks.
Pro Tip: Keep NAP (Name, Address, and Phone number) consistent across all listings to boost local SEO.
Events like “Smile Day” or “Braces Bash” give your community a chance to visit your practice and meet your team.
Example: Offer free consultations, giveaways, and Q&A sessions with orthodontists.
Establish strong relationships with general dentists who can refer patients requiring orthodontic treatments. Provide them with co-branded flyers, referral forms, or incentives for each successful referral to ensure consistent, high-quality patient flow from trusted sources.
Get in touch with our team of Healthcare marketing experts to discuss SEO, SEM and Paid Marketing solutions. Get a free SEO/PPC/Content Audit!
Happy patients are your best advocates. Ask them to leave reviews on Google and Yelp to build trust with new patients. Positive reviews not only improve credibility but also boost SEO rankings.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Birdeye or Podium to automate review requests.
A dedicated page showcasing real patients before-and-after photos demonstrates the effectiveness of your treatments. This visual proof builds credibility quickly and provides potential patients with tangible evidence of the results they can expect, increasing trust and conversions.
Many digital marketing agencies for dentists are adding AI-powered bots to answer FAQs and book consults 24/7.
Pro Tip: Use chatbot data to identify common objections or concerns.
Clearly promote financing options like CareCredit, in-house payment plans, or zero-interest financing.
Example Message: “Smile now, pay later, braces from $99/month”.
Use Google Analytics 4, Meta Ads Manager, and CRM tools to measure what’s working and pivot fast.
Pro Tip: Set up conversion tracking on appointment forms and click-to-call buttons.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, these 20 orthodontic marketing ideas can help you connect with more patients and grow your practice sustainably. Partnering with experienced orthodontic marketing companies can help you execute these strategies efficiently while you focus on delivering beautiful smiles.
Want help implementing these ideas? At Digital Success, we help dental and orthodontic practices attract and retain patients through powerful, data-driven digital marketing. Get in touch with us to discuss your growth goals!
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