Dr. Wally Cantu’s journey to the 2 Comma Club didn’t start in a bustling practice or with a massive budget.
It started with silence.
“I used to call the office phone just to make sure it was working. I’d literally pick it up and listen—just to hear it ring.”
Before he became one of the most respected implant providers in Arizona…
Before he crossed $1M+ in implant revenue…
Before he built a business that could run—even when he wasn’t there…He was just a kid in Washington, drawing Pokémon characters, watching his dad hustle as a small business owner, and dreaming about creating a life on his own terms.
From Student Loans to Pediatric Dentistry—A Detour That Paid Off
Like most dental students, Dr. Cantu left school with a mountain of student debt—over $380,000. His first move wasn’t placing implants. It wasn’t adult dentistry.
It was pediatric dentistry.
Why?
“It wasn’t the dentistry I envisioned doing… but they were helping pay down the loans. So we lived on rice and beans and just hustled to pay off debt.”
He made the tough choice. The practical choice. And he worked the plan.
In just 3.5 years, he paid off the loans—and with every patient, every CE course, and every side hustle weekend, he never lost sight of the dream: doing life-changing full-arch cases, building a real business, and controlling his time
A New Beginning—And a Tough Start
Dr. Cantu eventually launched his own De Novo practice in a tight-knit Arizona community.
But it wasn’t glamorous.
“I went from seeing 40 patients a day in pediatrics… to two patients a day. One in the morning. One in the afternoon. It felt like dental school all over again.”
He hit walls. Doubts. Quiet days and heavy questions. But instead of folding, he took action. He didn’t wait for patients to find him—he found them. He visited farms, passed out cards, networked at fairs, built a brand, and slowly grew a trusted presence in his community.
The hustle was real.
The Implant Moment—and the All-On-4 That Could Have Broke Him
Once his practice was stable, Dr. Cantu leaned hard into CE—studying surgical protocols, taking hands-on training in Mexico, completing fellowships, and learning everything he could about dental implants.
“I was always pushing myself… always trying to hang around oral surgeons and take extra classes. I knew this is where I wanted to go.”
Then came his first All-on-4.
“I remember thinking—‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’ And then right after, I was like, ‘I’m NEVER doing it this way again.’ But that’s the thing—every case teaches you something. You just have to START.”
Analysis paralysis is what holds most doctors back. Not Dr. Cantu.
He jumped.
The Dental Implant Machine Connection—and Scaling Intentionally
By the time Dr. Cantu connected with Dental Implant Machine, he was placing implants, but not consistently. Maybe one or two cases per month.
“I didn’t want to just wait for the right patient to walk in. I wanted to create my own future.”
That’s when everything changed.
He plugged into the Dental Implant Machine system—and suddenly, marketing was no longer a guessing game. His team had a dedicated setter. Virtual consults became part of their workflow. Financial discussions were streamlined. Clarity replaced chaos.
“Before, we were just hoping people showed up. Now? Every part of the process has a purpose. It’s intentional.”
Even while living in Arizona and flying back to Washington just one week per month, Dr. Cantu was able to close full-arch cases virtually—building rapport through Zoom and equipping his assistants to deliver seamless patient experiences.
Today, much of his team is trained to handle consults without him.
“I don’t need to be there every time. They’re that good. And if a patient wants to talk to me directly, I hop on a Zoom. Simple.”
Sales, Trust, and the Power of Helping People Say “Yes”
If the word “sales” feels dirty to most dentists, Dr. Cantu flips the script.
“We didn’t pull their arms to come in. They gave a deposit. They want help. Closing is just giving them the trust and info they need to say yes.”
It’s not pressure. It’s not manipulation. It’s service.
And when that trust is built the right way, patients open up—and lives are transformed.
One patient story says it all.
A Smile Worth a Million
“She came in with three teeth on top… three on the bottom. She looked like a bulldog when she chewed. She had every reason not to come—fear, mistrust, embarrassment.”
But through a virtual consult, she opened up. She walked in. And she said yes.
“Now? She looks like a model. She’s smiling constantly. She told me she’s dating again. That’s why we do this.”
These are the moments that erase all the hard days. That make the phone calls, the commute-time follow-ups, the hustle—all worth it.
Advice for Other Dentists?
“Invest in your team. You can’t do it all. You need a trained setter. A closer. And people who care.”
That’s it.
Dr. Cantu knows he couldn’t scale this alone. So he’s trained his team, added virtual assistants, and stayed focused on what only he can do.
Final Word? Just Take Action.
“Don’t overthink it. Give Dental Implant Machine a try for 3–6 months. Take action. See what happens.”
The only thing riskier than investing in your implant growth is waiting around and hoping.
Just like Dr. Cantu says:
“You have to create your own future.”
And when you’re ready to start building it, Dental Implant Machine is here to help.
Ready to Start Your Own Success Story?
Whether you’re just starting your implant journey or looking to take your practice to the next level, Dental Implant Machine is here to help. Learn how we can support your growth—schedule a free consultation today!
