Bonsmile Secures Tens of Millions in Pre-B Funding from Shanlan Capital to Tap into China's Billion-Dollar Invisible Orthodontics Market

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that Suzhou Bonsmile Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (“Bonsmile”) recently announced the completion of a Pre-B round financing of tens of millions of RMB from Shanlan Capital, with WinX Capital serving as special advisor and long-term capital strategy advisor. Previously, Bonsmile also secured investment from Jifeng Capital. These funds are primarily allocated to R&D for new products and the optimization and innovation of clear aligner orthodontic technology.

Bonsmile is a Sino-foreign joint venture and high-tech enterprise specializing in digital clear aligners. Co-founded by international orthodontic experts and a medical operations team, the company integrates the provision of malocclusion correction solutions with the customized manufacturing of clear aligners. It has established marketing, R&D, production, and training bases in Shanghai, Taipei, Suzhou, and Beijing.

From the introduction of advanced foreign technologies to independent domestic R&D and manufacturing, from the education and training of dentists to the transformation of orthodontic clinical research, Bonsmile is committed to building a healthy ecosystem for intelligent clear aligner solutions, thereby enhancing the level of orthodontic medical technology and industry in China.

From an industry perspective, China’s clear aligner sector did not start late, but the total market size remains small, with a penetration rate only one-quarter that of developed countries and far below the global average. However, in recent years, driven by consumption upgrades, technological advancements, media promotion, and heightened consumer awareness of oral health, the clear aligner market is poised for explosive growth. The market potential is estimated at RMB 122.4–239.5 billion, indicating room for 5–10-fold expansion.

The vast domestic market demand has attracted an influx of overseas brands and triggered a surge in the number of dental clinics, intensifying industry competition. Nevertheless, two major bottlenecks remain pain points in the current clear aligner orthodontics market.

On the one hand, due to the wide variety of dental issues among Chinese patients and the complexity of the orthodontic process, it is necessary to customize treatment models that align with the specific characteristics of Chinese dentition. Therefore, compared with imported brands, domestic companies possess more extensive clinical case data from Chinese patients, along with a deeper understanding of the unique features and patterns of orthodontic treatment in this population, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.

On the other hand, professional dentists serve as a core resource in the field of oral healthcare. Currently, China has only about 140 dentists per million people, which is far below the level of 500–1,000 seen in developed countries. When further narrowed down to the field of orthodontics, the availability of qualified specialists is even more scarce. The long-standing shortage of orthodontists has hindered industry development, resulting in slow growth for the clear aligner orthodontics sector.

“Reflecting on my years of experience running a chain of dental clinics, the greatest pain point has been the shortage of orthodontists in China. Managers of major clinics often struggle to effectively control the quality and standard of orthodontic techniques, leaving many patients unable to enjoy an ideal orthodontic experience,” said Jie Liangdong, founder of Bonsmile.

Jie Liangdong stated that outstanding clear aligner companies can collaborate with dentists to provide patients with efficient treatment plans and predict future therapeutic outcomes. “On one hand, Bonsmile has sincerely invited experts from leading domestic institutions such as Peking University, West China School of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, and the Fourth Military Medical University to form a core expert R&D team and establish training bases, helping more dentists manage complex orthodontic cases. On the other hand, it is actively engaged in the independent research and development of digital software algorithms, automated tooth arrangement software, and an expanded product line.”

Bonsmile SSP Root Visualization and Control Technology fully demonstrates intuitive, three-dimensional, clear, and precise 3D visualization effects. This enables simultaneous consideration of both crowns and roots during virtual tooth arrangement, allowing dynamic observation of the three-dimensional positional relationship between tooth roots and alveolar bone. Clinicians can view any cross-sectional slice, facilitating more precise root control solutions.

In terms of tooth arrangement software, Bonsmile has independently developed an automated tooth arrangement software that directly interfaces with intraoral scanners and CT ports. Its robust data transmission capabilities reduce modeling distortion and improve the precision of aligners. Additionally, aided by 3D laser imaging technology, the modeling accuracy reaches 0.1 mm, enabling the aligners to more effectively drive tooth movement.

Furthermore, Bonsmile, in collaboration with orthodontic experts, has developed a new clear aligner product—the Bonsmile “Soft Yet Rigid” series—which combines aesthetic transparency with the corrective efficacy of traditional wire braces. This innovation not only provides patients with a more comfortable wearing experience but also enables faster and more precise control over treatment outcomes, offering Chinese consumers an additional option for personalized custom clear aligners.

To facilitate early correction of malocclusion in children, particularly anterior crossbite, and avoid the distress associated with orthognathic surgery in adulthood, the Bonsmile i-Free system—an ultra-early rapid clear aligner system for anterior crossbite—was officially launched in Beijing in December 2019. Jointly developed by Bonsmile and Professor Xiong Guoping, a Ph.D. in Orthodontics from West China School of Stomatology, this product overcomes two major technical bottlenecks in early pediatric orthodontic treatment: difficulties in appliance retention and the challenge of simultaneously performing three-dimensional adjustment and movement of both upper and lower teeth during maxillary protraction therapy. This innovation has made “correcting anterior crossbite as early as age four” a new trend, empowering every child with malocclusion to display a confident smile.

Following this Pre-B financing round, Suzhou Bonsmile Medical Technology Co., Ltd. will focus its industrial efforts on four key areas: enriching its independently developed product portfolio, upgrading its brand, expanding market presence in early childhood orthodontic treatment, and researching and developing new orthodontic materials. With talent and technological innovation as its cornerstone, the company will fully enter the new era of digital orthodontics, aiming to unlock the potential of the multi-billion yuan clear aligner market.

Jie Liangdong, Founder of Bonsmile, stated, “We extend our sincere gratitude to Shanlan Capital for its investment in this round, as well as to our existing shareholders for their steadfast support. With a commitment to open collaboration, innovation, and mutual success, we welcome more investors, distributors, technology partners, and outstanding talents to join our family. Bonsmile will work hand in hand with all partners to accelerate the development of China’s clear aligner industry, help patients achieve more beautiful smiles, and shine brightly in the international market!”

The lead investor in this round, Shanlan Capital, is a specialized fund focused on investing in the early-stage and growth-stage healthcare industry. It possesses extensive industry resources and strong investment expertise, particularly in the medical device sector (in vitro diagnostics and gene technology, minimally invasive interventions, implantable devices, minimally invasive surgical instruments, and medical robotics).

Jie Liangdong also expressed his gratitude to Kaicheng Capital for assisting Suzhou Bonsmile Medical Technology Co., Ltd. in formulating its capital, brand, and market strategies, and for facilitating the entry of the company’s products into numerous chain dental groups. Meanwhile, he appointed Kaicheng Capital as the long-term strategic advisor on capital matters. Kaicheng Capital is a leading investment bank in the healthcare sector, with its founding team having accumulated over RMB 30 billion in investment and M&A transactions.