Oh my teeth Signs Joint Research Agreement with South Korea's TMD LAB for Next-Generation Aligner Material

Oh my teeth Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Makoto Nishino), which operates the aligner brand "Oh my teeth," has signed a joint research agreement with TMD LAB Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea; Representative: Hak-Joon Sung), a South Korean manufacturer of shape memory polymer (SMP) materials, concerning next-generation materials for orthodontic aligners (direct print resin).

Both companies have been in discussions since March 2026 and held a signing ceremony at TMD LAB headquarters (Seoul, South Korea) on June 13, 2026, to officially commence research.

Through this research, both companies will proceed with verification towards the practical application of aligner therapy that is easier to continue and places less burden on users.

▲ TMD LAB and Oh my teeth Joint Research Agreement Signing Ceremony (June 2026, Seoul, South Korea)

Background: Three Areas for Improvement in Aligner Therapy

Historically, aligner therapy has had three main areas for improvement:

Burden of clinic visits: Visits are necessary for the attachment and adjustment of "attachments," auxiliary devices that aid tooth movement.

Cost burden: The treatment cost tends to be high due to the intricate processes and manual labor involved.

Convenience and hygiene: Many conventional shape memory materials require high temperatures to return to their original shape, presenting an area for improvement as they can be difficult to integrate into daily life.

The characteristic that this material returns to its original shape within body temperature (37-40°C) is what has drawn attention.

This property is expected to work gently within the mouth, and both companies will verify how these characteristics can be utilized in orthodontic treatment.

Furthermore, basic evaluations are planned to assess the potential for reducing biofilm formation on the material's surface.

Overview of Joint Research: Combining the Strengths of Japan and South Korea

Following the signing ceremony in June 2026, the two companies will bring together their respective strengths and engage in verification (verification period: approximately 6 months) towards the practical application of next-generation aligner therapy.

TMD LAB's Role

Will be responsible for material development, provision, and analysis of the direct print resin "INNOSELF" using shape memory polymer (SMP) technology.

Oh my teeth's Role

Will be responsible for optimizing 3D printer parameters using the provided material and designing aligners based on accumulated know-how. Verification of safety and the number of steps will proceed under the supervision of dentists, in collaboration with the research and review system at Yonsei University.

▲ Signing at the ceremony

Research Goals

Starting full-scale verification around the summer of 2026, research will proceed with the aim of achieving the following outcomes. All of these are currently research objectives and do not guarantee effectiveness.

Reduction in the number of treatment steps: Aiming to shorten the current standard number of steps.

Verification for reducing the burden of attachment placement, etc.: Verifying the possibility of designs that reduce procedures at dental clinics and alleviate user burden.

Based on the verification results, the companies aim to provide services utilizing this material in the future. Through this, they hope to realize an experience where users can pursue orthodontic treatment in a more accessible and sustainable manner.

▲ Research team at Yonsei University Avison Biomedical Research Center

Comments from TMD LAB Co., Ltd. Representative

Hak-Joon Sung, Representative of TMD LAB Co., Ltd. (Professor and Head of Department, Yonsei University College of Medicine)

"I am very pleased that the shape memory polymer technology I have researched for many years can contribute to the daily lives of users.

Our strength lies in research and development, and Oh my teeth, which values excellent customer experience, is an ideal partner in bringing that value to the world. We will continue to work together to advance our research."

▲ Professor Sung of TMD LAB and Oh my teeth (Seoul, South Korea)

Comments from Makoto Nishino, CEO of Oh my teeth Co., Ltd.

Makoto Nishino, Representative Director and CEO of Oh my teeth Co., Ltd.

"To make orthodontic treatment more accessible, we believe it is necessary to review not only the appointment and clinic visit experience but also the materials, design, and manufacturing itself.

This joint research is an important step towards the 'revolutionary dental product' that Oh my teeth aims for. Together with TMD LAB, which has world-class research achievements, we will groundedly verify the possibilities for reducing user burden one by one."

▲ Makoto Nishino, Representative Director and CEO of Oh my teeth Co., Ltd.

Company Overview

Company Name: Oh my teeth Co., Ltd.

Representative: Makoto Nishino, Representative Director and CEO

Headquarters Location: Kagurazaka Owners Building, 19-4 Tsukiji-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Establishment Date: October 18, 2019

Capital: ¥10,000,000

Business Activities: Planning, development, and operation of the aligner brand "Oh my teeth"

Affiliated Clinics: Sapporo (Hokkaido), Omiya (Saitama), Omotesando, Shinjuku, Yurakucho, Ikebukuro, Yokohama, Nagoya Meieki, Shinsaibashi (Osaka), Umeda (Osaka), Hiroshima, Hakata (Fukuoka)

Official Website: https://www.oh-my-teeth.com/

Company Name: TMD LAB Co., Ltd.

Representative: Hak-Joon Sung

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

Business Activities: Research and development of medical devices and materials using shape memory polymer (SMP)

Various Links

Official X: https://www.twitter.com/oh_my_teeth

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmyteeth_official/

Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oh_my_teeth

Recruitment

We are looking for individuals who can bring new value to Oh my teeth!

<Open Positions>

https://careers.oh-my-teeth.com/#2c3cfc50bbb64a0f83b8c5be171a84f1

【Inquiries Regarding This Matter】

Oh my teeth Co., Ltd.

Yuki Kobayashi

Email: yuki.kobayashi@oh-my-teeth.com

<Important Notes Regarding Oh my teeth Aligner Therapy (Risks and Side Effects)>

- This is private medical treatment not covered by insurance.

- Patients are requested to wear the aligners for over 20 hours per day. The wearing status affects the amount of tooth movement and effectiveness.

- A detailed treatment plan is created to achieve ideal tooth alignment. However, actual tooth movement varies by individual, and teeth may not always move as anticipated.

- Wearing aligners with insufficient oral hygiene increases the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

- As with all orthodontic treatments, not just Oh my teeth aligner therapy, effectiveness, perceived results, and the extent of tooth movement vary by individual, and there is a possibility that satisfactory treatment results may not be obtained regardless of the chosen orthodontic method.