Angelalign Technology: A Long-Term Vision from China to the Global Orthodontic Market

China has become the fastest-growing region in the global orthodontics market. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, a leading consulting firm, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of China’s orthodontics market reached 17.3% in recent years, while the CAGR of China’s clear aligner market stood at an even higher 45.1%.

One keyword that every patient inevitably mentions when sharing their orthodontic experience is—the doctor. Orthodontic treatment is a complex and meticulous technical procedure, where the dentist’s skill and experience directly determine whether patients receive precise care. Only by finding a reliable doctor, engaging in thorough communication, and strictly adhering to medical advice throughout the treatment process can patients achieve their desired outcome of healthy teeth and a radiant smile.

By enhancing digital technologies and products, we empower doctors to improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, thereby helping more patients access high-quality medical services. This has been Angelalign’s unwavering mission since its founding nearly two decades ago. To enable the entire industry to share cutting-edge technologies, clinical experience, and innovative achievements in the field of orthodontics, the Angelalign A-TECH Conference was established.

From June 20 to 26, the 2022 Angelalign A-TECH Conference was successfully held. Dozens of orthodontic experts from China and around the world were invited to deliver speeches at the conference. The event attracted over 700,000 online viewers, making it one of the most academically influential and widely attended conferences in China’s dental field.

At this conference, Angelalign launched the new high-speed version of its A7 Speed clear aligner treatment solution for premolar extraction cases (hereinafter referred to as the “A7 Speed Extraction Solution High-Speed Version”) and the iOrtho 10.0 software system. By integrating industry, academia, and research efforts to overcome disciplinary challenges, it provides dentists with comprehensive digital services.

Each A-TECH Conference serves as a convergence point for new products, new technologies, and new concepts. What is the source of Angelalign’s sustained drive for long-term innovation? Furthermore, how are these innovative research concepts translated into tangible clinical outcomes that are perceptible to both clinicians and patients?

According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the market size of clear aligner treatment in China reached approximately 450,000 cases in 2021, representing a year-on-year growth rate of about 30% compared to 2020. However, alongside this rapid growth, every dentist is operating at high speed and under heavy workload.

On one hand, every orthodontic case requires dentists to invest significant time and effort. Dentists must thoroughly understand patients’ symptoms and concerns, provide precise treatment plans, and conduct long-term follow-up. On the other hand, digital orthodontics involves complex knowledge in biomechanics and clinical stomatology, placing high demands on dentists’ alignment techniques, experience, and risk management capabilities. Excellent dental practitioners must maintain a continuous learning mindset.

Centered on the genuine needs of doctors and patients as well as key clinical concerns, Angelalign has established a cross-disciplinary R&D system spanning five major fields during its nearly 20-year dedication to digital orthodontics. It has developed a comprehensive end-to-end digital product and service ecosystem, thereby empowering clinicians to deliver diagnoses and treatments with stability, ease, speed, and precision.

Unveiling the “black box” of biomechanics represents a major breakthrough in Angelalign’s technology system.Historically, the analysis of forces involved in tooth movement relied primarily on clinicians’ professional experience and judgment. To assist dentists in precisely analyzing and calculating force relationships acting on teeth, Angelalign developed the masterForce platform. This platform aims to accurately simulate and visualize the expression of orthodontic mechanics and the effects of applied forces, thereby calculating the optimal pathway for moving teeth to their desired positions. As a result, the delivery of forces in clear aligner therapy becomes quantifiable and visible.

The condition of the alveolar bone surrounding the tooth roots is also one of the primary concerns for clinicians in their practice.To help dentists gain a more accurate understanding of the periodontal bone status, Angelalign has launched the Intelligent Root System. This system enables dental practitioners to observe the true condition of the alveolar bone from a 360-degree perspective, acquire data on crown and root movement, and thereby assess cases, formulate and adjust treatment plans, with the aim of achieving optimal clinical outcomes.

These innovative technology platforms, which have been deeply integrated into the dental industry, are all powered by iOrtho, Angelalign’s self-developed digital orthodontic intelligent service platform. The newly launched iOrtho 10.0 at this year’s A-TECH Conference has further upgraded its five core functionalities.

Through iterative upgrades from version 1.0 to 10.0, iOrtho 10.0 provides physicians with a comprehensive suite of digital services covering patient intake, treatment planning and adjustments, and follow-up communication. During the intake phase, physicians can use various digital intraoral scanning terminals to capture patients’ oral data and transmit it to the iOrtho system with a single click, rapidly generating simulated predicted orthodontic outcomes. In the diagnosis and treatment planning stage, the ME (Medical Engine), powered by artificial intelligence, assists physicians in completing diagnostic and orthodontic treatment design workflows, making treatment outcomes predictable, traceable, and quantifiable.

The upgraded iOrtho 10.0 further deepens the application of artificial intelligence technology. For instance, the newly added bone age analysis feature in iOrtho 10.0 automatically identifies cervical spine images through AI algorithms, enabling the assessment of adolescent patients' growth and development stages as well as their corresponding bone age. This provides significant reference value for selecting treatment approaches and predicting treatment outcomes.

iOrtho 10.0’s newly launched intelligent remote orthodontic monitoring system assists clinicians in efficiently managing cases. With minimal guidance, patients can capture standardized intraoral photographs anytime and anywhere, enabling clinicians to promptly assess appliance compliance and tooth movement for precise treatment adjustments.

These technology systems, developed and upgraded based on real clinical needs of dentists and patients, have made Angelalign the optimal “orthodontic assistant” for dental professionals.

“Society continues to progress, and the dental industry is undergoing rapid iteration and evolution. Change is happening. Yet, at the same time, we believe that certain things have remained unchanged: people’s pursuit of beautiful smiles and a better life remains constant; the vibrant and enduring momentum of development in the dental industry remains constant; and our passion for dentists remains constant.” Thus stated Li Huamin, Founder and CEO of Angelalign, in her opening remarks at the 2022 A-TECH Conference.

These enduring principles and passion have driven the vigorous development of orthodontics in China, while also illuminating Angelalign’s 20-year journey in digital dentistry.

At this year’s A-TECH Conference, multiple orthodontic experts pointed out that digital products and technologies have played a key role in driving the development of the clear aligner industry. For instance, in the field of early orthodontic treatment for children and adolescents, the in-depth application of cutting-edge technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence is dedicated to helping clinicians determine the optimal timing for early intervention in different patients. In the diagnosis and treatment of complex cases, such as those requiring tooth extraction, digital technologies have enabled more precise analysis and calculation of tooth force relationships.

To deliver tailored solutions for an increasing variety of complex cases, Angelalign aims to join forces with professional orthodontists in China to stand at the forefront of global innovation in clear aligner therapy, continuously translating conceptual advances, clinical experience, and technological breakthroughs into tangible clinical outcomes.

Taking the newly released A7 Speed Extraction Solution (High-Speed Version) by Angelalign at this year’s A-TECH Conference as an example, this solution aims to balance efficacy and efficiency, offering a novel approach to the high-efficiency orthodontic treatment of extraction cases.

This is underpinned by a suite of interdisciplinary technologies providing robust support:The high-speed version of the A7 Speed Extraction Solution features the new masterControl S, an adaptive polymer composite material with superelasticity, mechanical stability, and adaptability. This material offers both fault tolerance and error correction capabilities, enabling more precise force expression. Angelalign’s Precision Control Attachment System has been exclusively optimized for extraction cases, significantly enhancing the aligner’s control over tooth movement. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the Angelalign Smart Aesthetic Clear Aligner System utilizes big data to determine the optimal force-to-torque ratios required for different types of tooth movement, thereby significantly improving treatment efficiency while maintaining equivalent control outcomes.

A development path that prioritizes R&D and technology has been a key reason for Shidai Tianyi’s continuous breakthroughs in the “no-man’s land” of digital product technologies and solutions.Financial reports show that Angelalign’s R&D expenses reached RMB 123 million in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 31.7%, accounting for 9.7% of its revenue; as of the end of 2021, Angelalign had accumulated 117 patents and 16 software copyrights.

Close collaboration with physicians, particularly in tackling key scientific challenges alongside top-tier experts, has enabled Angelalign to build a technological bridge between clinical applications and cutting-edge research. Since 2015, Angelalign has launched the “Lianchuang A+” initiative, engaging in in-depth cooperation and joint R&D with experts and teams in China’s digital orthodontics field, thereby driving the long-term development of China’s orthodontic industry through innovation.

Continuous breakthroughs in technological innovation have endowed Angelalign with unique advantages and extensive experience in managing complex cases, thereby establishing a robust “moat.”According to the Frost & Sullivan report, Angelalign ranked first in the mainland China clear aligner market in 2021 by number of completed cases, with a market share of 41.1%. Meanwhile, as the first brand to launch pediatric clear aligner products in mainland China, Angelalign’s pediatric solution (Angelalign KiD) also holds the leading position in the mainland China pediatric clear aligner market.

A major difference between this year’s A-TECH Conference and previous editions was the introduction of a dedicated International Forum. Following the event, multiple mainstream news agencies and authoritative media outlets—including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Bloomberg—provided comprehensive coverage of the innovative product technologies unveiled by Angelalign at the A-TECH Conference.

Since the beginning of this year, Angelalign has further accelerated its overseas business expansion. On one hand, Angelalign has actively invited world-renowned orthodontic experts to engage in technical exchanges and sharing at industry academic platforms such as the A-TECH Conference. On the other hand, in collaboration with Chinese experts, Angelalign aims to bring innovative Chinese orthodontic technologies and concepts to a broader range of countries and regions.

Compared with European and American countries, China has a higher prevalence and greater number of complex malocclusion cases. According to the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey Report, the prevalence of malocclusion in China reaches 74%, among which the prevalence of more complex Class II and Class III malocclusions is approximately 49.0%.

Globally, digital clear aligner therapy is one of the hottest topics in the dental industry and a key driver of innovative growth in orthodontics.With Angelalign’s proactive overseas expansion, its innovative clear aligner solutions and digital product technologies efficiently empower clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diverse patient cases.

One of the most popular solutions is the Angelalign A6 Mandibular Advancement Clear Aligner Solution. Launched in 2015, this solution focuses on the orthopedic and orthodontic treatment of convex facial deformities caused by mandibular retrusion. It simultaneously corrects skeletal anomalies, aligns malposed teeth, and reconstructs occlusion, thereby integrating two treatment phases into one. This approach significantly improves treatment efficiency and shortens the overall duration, ushering in a digital era for functional orthodontic techniques.

To better serve physicians, Angelalign has also established a leading medical design service team, proactively enhancing its medical service capabilities to support doctors in ensuring optimal outcomes for every case.

Professor Ravindra Nanda of the University of Connecticut stated in his address at the A-TECH Conference, “Clear aligner therapy and digital dentistry are among the topics that have interested me most in recent years. I have conducted relevant research and clinical applications, and I am highly anticipatory of Angelalign’s performance as it enters the global market.”

Adhering to unwavering beliefs and passion while embracing innovative changes, and focusing on the long-term, healthy development of the entire industry—this is the long-termism upheld by Angelalign.At the A-TECH Conference, Li Huamin stated that, leveraging interdisciplinary integration technologies, Angelalign will continue to drive innovation in products and clinical medical solutions, foster advancements in digital products, technologies, and concepts, and promote innovations in medical services and organizational management models, thereby supporting the robust global development of digital orthodontics.

This marks a new journey for Angelalign, and another glorious chapter in the story of how Chinese orthodontics is influencing the world.