Asmile Targets the Clear Aligner Market with Integrated Supply Chain to Offer Affordable Orthodontic Solutions
Say Goodbye to “Metal Mouth”: Invisible Orthodontics Is Gaining Increasing Popularity Among Patients
According to Allied Market Research data, the global orthodontics market was valued at USD 1.493 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 2.597 billion by 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% from 2017 to 2023. Meanwhile, the “2018 Blue Book on Orthodontic Market Consumption in China” indicates that the domestic digital orthodontics market in China grew by 33.73% in 2018, significantly outpacing the overall growth rate of the dental care industry.
According to estimates by Ping An Securities Research Institute, and referencing international benchmarks, the potential market size for orthodontics in China ranges from RMB 122.4 billion to RMB 239.5 billion, with room for further growth by a factor of 5 to 10.
“The market is vast, but in China, over 70% of the population suffers from physiological malocclusion, yet less than 5% ultimately undergo orthodontic treatment,” said He Jiang, CEO of Yesalign (hereinafter referred to as “Yesalign”), a digital dentistry company.
He pointed out that, based on the data, the proportion of Chinese patients undergoing orthodontic treatment is low, and the percentage opting for clear aligner therapy is even smaller. The core issue lies in “exorbitant costs and limited services.” Currently, the cost of clear aligner therapy in the market ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 yuan, which deters most ordinary people from pursuing this treatment despite their interest, primarily due to the high expense.
How to Address the Orthodontic Needs of This Population? He Jiang pointed out that Yesalign innovatively applies the DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) model, integrating online and offline channels to empower end users. By adopting a factory-direct supply approach and installment-based payment plans, the company enables users to access high-quality clear aligner orthodontic services at affordable prices.
Founded in 2015, the company is led by dental 3D printing technology and provides comprehensive digital solutions for dental laboratories and oral clinics. The launch of Yesalign’s consumer-facing clear aligner products is attributable to the founding team’s years of accumulated expertise in the oral healthcare industry.
Founder and Chairman Huang Zhenghua previously served as General Manager of Dingyuan Denture’s business division. With nearly 20 years of experience in the oral care industry, he specializes in 3D printing for dentistry. His industry clients include leading domestic large-scale denture manufacturers such as DDS Lab and Dongguan Dingyuan. Founder and CEO He Jiang, a former partner at Rhino Star, has conducted research in the biopharmaceutical field at AIBN, IMB, and ICMS, and possesses extensive experience in clinical practice, research, and the internet industry. Chief Operating Officer Li Lintao is an expert in dental clinic operations in China, having assisted numerous large dental chain groups and mid-to-high-end clinics in establishing membership systems and managing daily patient flow.
“Launching Yasumei clear aligners is driven by two factors: on one hand, we recognize the market opportunities in orthodontics; on the other hand, our robust supply chain infrastructure and service system enable us to effectively control quality and costs, thereby delivering a superior service experience and making oral healthcare and aesthetic dentistry an affordable option for all,” said He Jiang. “Some media outlets have referred to us as the ‘Xiaomi’ of clear aligners, and we agree with this assessment.”
Traditional orthodontics requires patients to visit hospitals or clinics to seek treatment from orthodontists, but Yasumei has broken this limitation.
Yesalign adopts a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, leveraging remote technologies to connect patients with licensed physicians. As the first in the industry to offer installment-based pricing, it charges as low as RMB 500 per installment. Patients can choose the number of installments based on treatment progress, with the total cost capped at RMB 19,980. If patients are ultimately dissatisfied with the orthodontic results, they are eligible for a full refund.
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He Jiang explained that under the DTC model, patients are first guided by Yesalign’s customer service team to take eight intraoral photographs. The Yesalign physician team then evaluates the patient’s symptoms and determines the appropriate orthodontic treatment plan, which is subsequently communicated to the consumer. Next, Yesalign arranges for either physical impressions or digital intraoral scanning; this step can be completed by the patient under the guidance of the Yesalign physician team or performed at a partner clinic in Yesalign’s offline network. Finally, the correction plan is designed by the Yesalign physician team and the treatment planning team.
“Under the premise of adhering to clinical standards, Yesalign adjusts treatment plans according to patient needs. The proposed plan is presented to patients through animated visualizations. Upon patient confirmation, we proceed to custom manufacturing and deliver the aligners to the patient. Once wear begins, our customer service team provides daily reminders to ensure patients wear their clear orthodontic aligners for more than 22 hours per day,” said He Jiang. To provide the most comprehensive care, Yesalign has also launched an online mini-program for users, staffed with customer service representatives and specialists who offer real-time answers to questions and monitor treatment progress.
In terms of product quality control, Yesalign utilizes medical-grade polymer materials registered with the CFDA, which are soft, comfortable, and BPA-free. Employing patented DLP and LCD printers with a printing precision of 0.02–0.03 mm, the company has achieved a 5–10 fold increase in efficiency. By integrating these capabilities with orthodontic treatment planning, Yesalign ensures precise biomechanical control of forces applied to the teeth, thereby guaranteeing optimal outcomes throughout the entire treatment cycle.
“If we were to purchase such high-precision 3D dental printers, the prices would be exorbitant, resulting in high costs. Through independent research and development and manufacturing, we have effectively reduced costs and passed the savings on to patients,” stated He Jiang. “By making early strategic layouts in the upstream supply chain and reaching end consumers through a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) model, Yesalign has rapidly entered the orthodontic market.”
For Yasumei, building a comprehensive offline service system is one of its strategic priorities.
The DTC model can reach a large number of patients; however, for some patients, the service delivery phase requires a certain degree of offline support. For instance, patients who require tooth extractions or periodontal treatment prior to orthodontics, as well as those needing attachment bonding, interproximal reduction (IPR), or temporary anchorage device (TAD) placement during orthodontic treatment, must have these procedures performed at offline clinics.
Based on this, Yesalign has partnered with over 50 dental clinics across more than ten provinces in China. Yesalign handles treatment plan design and the manufacturing of clear aligners, while patients visit nearby partner dental clinics for related services.
He Jiang stated that, given the domestic market conditions, Yesalign does not offer purely internet-based orthodontic services; instead, it adopts an online-offline integrated model to ensure treatment efficacy and service experience. In the future, Yesalign will collaborate with more dental clinics to establish a nationwide offline clinic network. In the next phase, Yesalign will also open experience centers (flagship stores) as a complement to its other service offerings, providing patients with comprehensive oral health management services throughout their lifetime.
Earlier this year, Yasumei announced the completion of its angel financing round, led by Zhuode Investment, with an amount reaching several million yuan. Regarding the next stage of financing plans, He Jiang stated that the company intends to launch a Pre-A financing round within this year, seeking between RMB 20 million and 30 million. The company aims to partner with investors who can provide strategically synergistic resources. The funds will be primarily used for expanding its intelligent production base, increasing marketing investments, deploying industry-specific SaaS solutions, and establishing offline experience centers.