AAO Names 2026 Ortho Innovator Emerging Innovation and Market Impact Award Winners 

For the first time this year, the AAO Ortho Innovator® Award has two categories: 

Ortho Innovator — Emerging Innovation   
The Emerging Innovation Award recognizes groundbreaking ideas that can be demonstrated through a prototype, pilot, or minimum viable product (MVP). It includes innovations that may not yet be commercialized but show strong potential to transform orthodontics. 

Ortho Innovator — Market Impact Innovation 
Honoring innovations that have successfully transitioned from development to the commercial market, this category showcases real-world adoption and measurable impact, driving meaningful change and advancing industry standards.   

The AAO Committee on Technology (CTech) has selected a 2026 winner in each category, along with Honorable Mentions (see below).  
 
The 2026 AAO Ortho Innovator Award – Emerging Innovation will go to Dr. Marc Lemchen of Zeeno Robotics for Zeeno Sterile™. The winner of the 2026 AAO Ortho Innovator Award – Market Impact is Dr. Mehdi Peikar of Celebrace, for the Celebrace product.  

About Zeeno Sterile™ 
Zeeno Sterile™ is a robotic system designed to automate one of the most labor-intensive processes in orthodontic practices: instrument sterilization. 

Founded by Dr. Lemchen with Todd Blankenbecler, and Chester Wang — the veterans behind Dolphin and EasyRx — Zeeno Robotics’ mission is to use robotics to automate critical workflows in orthodontic practices. While orthodontic clinical care is now digital, sterilization remains labor-intensive and subject to workflow bottlenecks. Zeeno Sterile™ applies robotics as a solution.  
 
Contaminated instruments in cassettes enter the system and are autonomously processed through ultra-sonic cleaning, rinsing, wrapping, and auto-clave sterilization. Instruments exit wrapped, sterilized, and chair-ready without manual handling. 

By automating sterile processing, Zeeno Sterile™ reduces staff exposure, supports compliance, and returns valuable staff time to patient care. Zeeno Sterile™ is currently in development and expected to enter pilot practices latter half of 2026. 

About Celebrace 
Dr. Peikar developed an artificial intelligence-designed orthodontic system for precise translation of doctor-approved treatment plans into physical appliances. Unlike traditional systems that rely on preset prescriptions, Celebrace generates patient-specific metal bracket prescriptions based on individual tooth anatomy and the clinician’s intended biomechanics. 

The platform uses AI algorithms to calculate ideal tip, torque, in-out, and force systems for each tooth, enabling controlled, predictable expression of the orthodontist’s plan using fixed appliances. Custom brackets are manufactured to match the approved prescription.  

Celebrace is designed to improve clinical precision, reduce reliance on bracket compromises, and minimize manual adjustments, while preserving full doctor control. The system has progressed beyond concept into clinical use, treating hundreds of patients and representing a practical application of AI in orthodontics focused on biomechanics, efficiency, and treatment predictability rather than aesthetics.  

Ortho Innovator Selection Process and Honorable Mentions
AAO CTech judges for the 2026 AAO Ortho Innovator Award competition reviewed 24 entries in the Emerging Innovation category and 11 entries in the Market Impact category. 

Businesses considered eligible to enter the competition are companies offering new products or services for orthodontic treatment or orthodontic practice management. CTECH evaluates each entry by its uniqueness, originality, functionality, feasibility, and value for the orthodontic practice.  

In addition to naming entries from Zeeno Robotics and Celebrace as award winners, CTech announced 2026 AAO Ortho Innovator recognition for: 

● Dr. Neil Warshawsky, Honorable Mention, Emerging Innovation Category 
Casper Class II Correction System 

● Dr. Julianna Parizotto, Honorable Mention, Emerging Innovation Category 
Fry-to-Fab Biodegradable 3D Printing Resin for Orthodontic Models 
 
● Dr. Brandon Owen, Honorable Mention, Market Impact Innovation Category 
Owen Tripod Splint