By: Jay Feldman
It has been estimated that over 9 million people get orthodontic treatment annually in the US alone. IBISWorld estimates that the number of orthodontic practices in the United States is 124,099, and the number of orthodontic businesses is 70,796. The Keles Keyless Expander, an innovative, patient-friendly product, could increase the projections for the US orthodontics market size.
Imagine the path to a lovely smile, where the road forks into two: one way leads to the invasive removal of healthy teeth, and the other leads to using a jaw expansion device whose design is primitive and has not changed for over half a century. The first option has significant downsides, as preserving teeth is crucial for aging. Orthodontic extraction is performed between 25% to 80% of cases3, depending on the orthodontist’s preference and treatment plan. As for the alternative, the palatal expander design is rudimentary and complex to use. A promising new startup company called Aegis Star LLC is preparing to set a new standard in the field. Their product, the Keles Keyless Expander, is set to be launched within the year and is expected to be a game-changer in orthodontic care by offering a new option that addresses these issues.
For patients with a narrow palate or crowded teeth, it is necessary to widen the jaw so that there is more room and tooth alignment is accommodated. The palate is made of two bones and is not fused in children ages 7 to 14. Due to the two bones not being fused, they can be separated with a rapid palatal expander. Conventional rapid palatal expanders in the market consist of two blocks connected by a screw. The screw has 1mm holes where a key is inserted and physically turned to activate the expander. Due to the complexity of this process, assistance is always required to turn the key. Each time, there’s also the risk of accidentally ingesting the key or injuring the palate. These frequent challenges can lead to increased clinic visits and decreased patient adherence, leading to treatment setbacks.
The Keles Keyless Expander eliminates the inconvenience and complications associated with using a separate key and impracticable mechanisms. The improved expander design introduces a built-in activation arm, simplifying the process. The goal of the Keles Keyless Expander is to be patient-friendly and enhance patient compliance for faster, safer, and more effective treatments.
While the dental industry has experienced considerable innovation in recent years, the emphasis has been on integrating artificial intelligence into dental practices. Hardware, on the other hand, has yet to catch up. The industry should focus on simplifying appliances for easier patient use, as Aegis Star has done.
The Keles Keyless Expander goes beyond just orthodontics: it’s a testament to how innovative thinking can lead to advancements that streamline operations to create a safer and improved user experience.
Aegis Star is working towards a new era of orthodontic treatment, ensuring that each smile serves as an example of comfort and innovation.
If your orthodontist suggests teeth extraction or using an impractical expander, you can ask them about the Keles Keyless Expander—an easy-to-use device that also preserves your teeth.
For more insights and updates on Aegis Star’s innovation, you can follow them on LinkedIn (@aegisstarllc), Instagram (@aegisstarllc), and Facebook (@aegisstarllc), or visit their website at www.aegis-star.com.
Citations:
- Hung, M., Lipsky, M. S., Moffat, R., Lauren, E., Hon, E. S., Park, J., Gill, G., Xu, J., Peralta, L., Cheever, J., Prince, D., Barton, T., Bayliss, N., Boyack, W., & Licari, F. W. (2020). Health and dental care expenditures in the United States from 1996 to 2016. PloS one, 15(6), e0234459. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234459
- Orthodontists in the US – market size, industry analysis, trends and forecasts (2024-2029): IBISWorld. IBISWorld Industry Reports. (n.d.). https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/orthodontists-industry/
- Jackson, T. H., Guez, C., Lin, F. C., Proffit, W. R., & Ko, C. C. (2017). Extraction frequencies at a university orthodontic clinic in the 21st century: Demographic and diagnostic factors affecting the likelihood of extraction. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 151(3), 456–462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2016.08.021
Published by: Holy Minoza
