Zeeno Robotics was acknowledged for its automated sterilization system and Celebrace for its AI-driven bracket prescription platform.
The American Affiliation of Orthodontists (AAO) has named the winners of its 2026 Ortho Innovator Awards. Zeeno Robotics obtained the Rising Innovation Award for its Zeeno Sterile system, and Celebrace gained the Market Influence Innovation Award for its AI-designed orthodontic system. The awards program featured two classes this yr to acknowledge improvements at totally different levels of growth and market adoption.
Zeeno Sterile Acknowledged for Rising Innovation
Zeeno Sterile is a robotic system designed to automate the instrument sterilization course of in orthodontic practices. The system manages contaminated instrument cassettes by ultra-sonic cleansing, rinsing, wrapping, and auto-clave sterilization with out guide dealing with.
Developed by Dr Marc Lemchen, Todd Blankenbecler, and Chester Wang, the system goals to scale back employees publicity, assist compliance, and permit employees to focus extra on affected person care. Zeeno Sterile is at present in growth and is anticipated to be positioned in pilot practices within the latter half of 2026.
Celebrace Awarded for Market Influence
Celebrace, developed by Dr Mehdi Peikar, obtained the Market Influence award for its orthodontic system that makes use of synthetic intelligence to create patient-specific steel bracket prescriptions. The platform’s AI algorithms calculate the best tip, torque, in-out, and power programs for every tooth based mostly on the clinician’s therapy plan, and customized brackets are then manufactured to match.
The system is designed to enhance medical precision and cut back guide changes whereas retaining the clinician accountable for therapy. Celebrace is in medical use and has been used to deal with tons of of sufferers.
Choice Course of and Honorable Mentions
The AAO Committee on Expertise (CTech) reviewed 24 entries for the Rising Innovation class and 11 entries for the Market Influence class. CTech judges consider entries based mostly on uniqueness, originality, performance, feasibility, and worth to an orthodontic follow.
The committee additionally introduced honorable mentions in every class:
- Dr Neil Warshawsky obtained an honorable point out within the Rising Innovation class for the Casper Class II Correction System.
- Dr Julianna Parizotto obtained an honorable point out within the Rising Innovation class for Fry-to-Fab Biodegradable 3D Printing Resin for Orthodontic Fashions.
- Dr Brandon Owen obtained an honorable point out within the Market Influence Innovation class for the Owen Tripod Splint.
Award Presentation at 2026 Annual Session
The winners and finalists might be featured in an exhibit on the Innovation Pavilion within the Exhibit Corridor through the 2026 AAO Annual Session in Orlando. Drs Lemchen and Peikar will obtain their awards on Saturday, Might 2, at 4:30 pm within the Exhibit Corridor of the Orange County Conference Heart.
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