3Shape and Angelalign Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement to Create a New Digital Orthodontic Experience

3Shape Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Angelalign | Image from Angelalign

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on May 18, 3Shape and Shanghai Angelalign Medical Device Co., Ltd. officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Jin Ye, Global Vice President and General Manager of Asia-Pacific at 3Shape, and Li Huamin, CEO of Angelalign Group, attended the signing ceremony. In the future, both parties will adopt an open approach, integrate their respective advantageous resources and innovative technologies, and carry out in-depth cooperation in the field of digital dentistry, jointly creating a fast, comfortable, and precise dental diagnosis and treatment experience for users.

Since 2018, the number of intraoral scanner users in China has experienced explosive growth, making China the country with the largest user base for intraoral scanners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Data shows that intraoral scanners utilize small, probe-type optical scanning heads to directly capture three-dimensional topography and color texture information of the surfaces of hard and soft tissues—such as teeth, gingiva, and mucosa—within the patient’s oral cavity. This approach revolutionizes the traditional clinical workflow of taking impressions and fabricating plaster models, while simultaneously reducing material and labor costs.

When configuring intraoral scanners, attention should be paid to functional scalability. Accuracy is the most critical metric for intraoral scanners, followed by scanning speed. Additionally, it is important to consider whether true color capture is supported and whether full-arch scanning of the entire dentition is feasible; these are all significant reference factors.

VCBeat previously conducted a review of the mainstream intraoral scanners on the market (Intraoral Scanner Industry Overview: Assisting Clinicians in Formulating Treatment Plans, with Foreign Companies Dominating the Market). In a recent study published in BMC Oral Health, the 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner was identified as the best among seven intraoral scanners tested, which compared the clarity and accuracy of the marginal finish lines of abutment teeth between conventional and digital impressions.

3Shape TRIOS demonstrated the highest clarity in both perspective and mesh views. Furthermore, based on color difference evaluation and histogram deviation analysis comparing scanner data with conventional impressions, TRIOS achieved the highest overall accuracy in testing.

Reporters learned that Tais Clausen and Nikolaj Deichmann founded 3Shape fifteen years ago. They played a pivotal role in driving the company’s rapid growth and establishing it as a global leader. Domestic intraoral scanning companies, such as Shenzhen Fussen, Shenzhen Longcheng, and Ningbo Pintech, are also making significant strides and breakthroughs in this field. The 3D powder-free, high-precision, true-color digital impression technology developed by Fussen—specifically the core modules and algorithmic technologies of the DentaLink Linzhi Intraoral Scanner—have been independently developed and mastered by the DentaLink Fussen Imaging team and its domestic partners.

Regarding this collaboration, Jin Ye, Global Vice President and General Manager of Asia-Pacific at 3Shape, stated: “3Shape is dedicated to the field of intraoral scanning, with customers spanning more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. We aim for greater development in the digital dentistry sector in the future, which is why we have chosen Angelalign, a professional Chinese brand specializing in clear aligners. Angelalign’s capabilities in medical design and technological innovation have demonstrated the influence of Chinese orthodontics and ‘Created in China.’ We hope this partnership will drive the advancement of China’s dental industry and accelerate 3Shape’s rapid growth globally.”

As a renowned provider of digital orthodontic products and services, Angelalign is committed to driving innovative development in China’s digital orthodontics sector by integrating advancements from diverse fields, including materials science, biomechanics, computer science, clinical dentistry, and 3D printing technology. The company not only possesses an extensive database of Asian oral health data but has also secured patented technologies across multiple disciplines.

Regarding the prospects of collaboration with 3Shape, Li Huamin, CEO of Angelalign, stated, “Accurate intraoral data acquisition is a critical prerequisite for the personalized customization of clear aligners. By partnering with 3Shape, Angelalign enables rapid and seamless integration of users’ intraoral data with its digital orthodontic platform, which will significantly drive innovation and transformation in digital dentistry.”

3Shape, a global leader in dental digitalization, has formed a strategic partnership with Angelalign, a leading domestic brand in clear aligners. This alliance represents a powerful collaboration that may usher in a new development paradigm in the field of digital dentistry.

Source: 3Shape Asia