• Recognition & Awards
• Expressions Summer 2025

AI-Driven Device Design

Faculty team wins hackathon with smart 3D-printing of tailored dental prostheses

An entrepreneurial team of staff and students wins at the MedTech Hackathon GBA 2025 with smart 3D-printing of tailored dental prostheses.

An entrepreneurial team of staff and students from the HKU Faculty of Dentistry won top honours in one of the three competition tracks at the MedTech Hackathon GBA 2025. The team, named ReSmile, invented a smart manufacturing system that incorporates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) in the production of patient-specific 3D-printed dental prostheses and surgical devices.

Titled “AGI [Artificial General Intelligence] for Smart Dental Manufacturing”, the winning system uses AI to process data from digital dental scans and 3D X-ray images (from cone-beam computed tomography). It then designs and creates customised dental devices, ranging from crowns, bridges, and dentures to titanium meshes, surgical guides, and even personalised jaw implants. This automated approach not only ensures rapid and precise fabrication but also seamlessly supports the entire clinical workflow: from pre-surgical planning and surgical guidance to post-surgery monitoring. In the future, the new smart system could transform the landscape of dental and maxillofacial care by allowing clinicians to deliver consistent, efficient, high-quality care tailored to each patient’s needs.

“For research to create real-world impact, it must bridge the gap between translation, commercialisation, and practical application,” said Professor Yanning Chen, Clinical Assistant Professor in Restorative Dental Sciences and the clinical supervisor of the ReSmile team. “The MedTech Hackathon not only equipped our team with essential business knowledge and training, but also fostered a broader, more innovative mindset for research and development.”

Professor Lijian Jin (fifth from left), then-Acting Dean of the Faculty, shares joy with the winning team.

Co-hosted by the HKU Beijing Center, HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Core’s iDendron, and Bay Charm (Shenzhen), the MedTech Hackathon GBA 2025 ran from February to May 2025. The invention incubation contest provided participants with mentorship from industry experts and specialised training to help transform innovative ideas into market-ready healthcare solutions. The contest drew over 60 teams competing across three tracks, with one winner per track earning the opportunity to join a pitching contest at the Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) 2025, which was organised by the Hong Kong Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council and held on 26–27 May 2025.

The ReSmile team won the hackathon’s Medical Devices and Diagnostics track, qualifying to compete at ASGH 2025. The hackathon judges were so impressed, they nominated the team to also present their invention at a special ASGH InnoHealth Showcase, where they gained further industry exposure. Commenting on their journey, the team shared that beyond the first-round victory, the hackathon and ASGH offered an invaluable opportunity to test their AI-powered manufacturing system in real-world market scenarios and connect with clinicians, dental technicians, investors, and industry leaders.

Building on the momentum of their success, the team aims to further refine their smart prosthesis technology and develop user-friendly interfaces. They also plan to secure early-stage investment to accelerate commercialisation, with the ultimate goal of transforming care to optimise patients’ outcomes in appearance, function, and satisfaction.