Ortho Innovator Award Past Winners
In 2018, the AAO created the Ortho Innovator Award. This award recognizes ideas that could revolutionize orthodontic treatment or practice management.
* Awarded posthumously
| YEAR | AWARD RECIPIENT(S) | INNOVATION |
| 2026 | Dr. Mehdi Peikar | Celebrace is an AI-designed orthodontic system that converts doctor-approved treatment plans into patient-specific metal bracket prescriptions based on tooth anatomy and intended biomechanics. |
| 2026 | Dr. Marc Lemchen | From Zeeno Robotics for Zeeno Sterile™ (two non-orthodontists, Todd Blankenbecler and Chester Wang, are also credited), a robotic system designed to automate one of the most labor-intensive processes in orthodontic practices: instrument sterilization. |
| 2025 | Dr. Nourah Abdul and Kader Karthik Vinayagamoorthi | Founders of OrthoBerry, the first AI-driven new patient intake platform designed specifically for orthodontic practices |
| 2024 | Dr. Geoff Sudit and Liz Sudit | Founders of Bright Referral, a technology solution to improve how an orthodontist (or any specialist) receives, tracks and follows up with referred patients |
| 2023 | Dr. Cosmo Haralambidis | The inventor of the Dental Pain Eraser, the world’s first pen-shaped, portable electronic dental anesthesia solution, Synapse Dental, LLC |
| 2022 | Dr. Alfred Griffin III | Founder of LightForce, a digital platform providing orthodontists with fully customized, 3D printed tooth-moving tools, including brackets, which are manufactured via a proprietary ceramic 3D printing process |
| 2021 | Dr. Adam Schulhof | Grin technology enables remote monitoring of orthodontic patients’ progress between in-person visits |
| 2020 | Todd Blankenbecler | State-of-the-art tools to streamline and centralize digital workflow, EasyRx |
| 2019 | Dr. Brandon Owen | In-office custom bracket system, KLOwen Braces |