As public health awareness, economic standards, and aesthetic demands continue to rise in China, the country's multi-billion-dollar dental market has flourished. Within this sector, orthodontics has emerged as the fastest-growing segment, propelled by both the "appearance economy" and advancements in digital technology. However, despite massive market demand, China faces a significant shortage of licensed dental practitioners, with only approximately 5,000 specialized orthodontists currently practicing.Amid this wave of beauty-seeking, how can consumers make rational and prudent choices to achieve both beauty and health?
From May 26-28, the 2021 Ormco Orthodontic Forum commenced. Over 60 orthodontic experts and a thousand orthodontists gathered in Xi'an for this annual academic gathering.During the forum, Ormco—with over 60 years of orthodontic expertise—unveiled its newly upgraded SPARK invisible orthodontic software APPROVER. Orthodontic experts discussed how digital orthodontic innovations can elevate precision diagnostics and treatment under the theme "Precision Diagnosis · Healthy Smiles."
Since its launch, the SPARK Invisible Orthodontic System has gained widespread recognition among professional orthodontists for its superior biomaterials and the APPROVER software that empowers clinicians.This time, SPARK has further upgraded the APPROVER software to provide 3D imaging of actual tooth roots and jawbones. This assists orthodontists in establishing clear correction goals and anticipating risks during treatment, delivering a more precise, convenient, and safe digital solution.Why is SPARK's upgraded 3D root-bone imaging system so crucial? At the expert symposium, Professor Bai Yuxing, Dean of Beijing Stomatological Hospital and School of Stomatology affiliated with Capital Medical University, stated: "The outer layer of the alveolar bone consists of cortical bone tissue. During orthodontic treatment, tooth movement must not contact or exceed the boundaries of this cortical bone structure.To ensure the safety of orthodontic tooth movement, three-dimensional data of each root structure is essential. This data guarantees that root tissues remain within the safe boundaries of the cortical bone structure during and after treatment, preventing bone fenestration or fractures. Consequently, adverse effects on tooth structure and stability, as well as periodontal tissue structure and function, are avoided."
How does the Spark3D Root Bone System enhance treatment safety?
"By visualizing actual root and alveolar bone structures, clinicians can more accurately assess root safety when crowns reach their ideal alignment during software-based treatment planning. This enables more precise and efficient treatment protocols for patients,"Professor Fang Bing, Director of the Orthodontic Department at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, added, "Authentic root and jawbone data serve as superior diagnostic tools for clinicians addressing real clinical challenges. As virtual systems and actual clinical issues undergo continuous validation through post-clinical research, driving iterative software updates, this will significantly advance healthy orthodontic treatment. We encourage more companies to pursue such clinical innovations."
While clinically grounded digital innovations empower clinicians with more precise and safer orthodontic solutions, DTC-model doctor-free digital orthodontics harms consumers.Both professors expressed their stance during the conference: "Dentist-free orthodontics is akin to dancing on a tightrope—the consequences are unimaginable. Therefore, whether choosing traditional or digital orthodontics, one should always select a professional dentist for treatment."
Digital technology is steadily bridging the gap between virtual and physical worlds. To truly overcome the final hurdle, close collaboration among industry, academia, and research is essential. Amid this trillion-dollar market and rapid development, Aumeco remains vigilant, committed to innovations that genuinely empower clinicians and benefit patients—creating more confident, healthy, and beautiful smiles.