Singapore start-up Zenyum promises straighter teeth at affordable prices with dental app
- Zenyum launched in Singapore in 2018 and secured US$13.6 million in venture capital financing last month
For years, Rueban Kumar wanted to fix his misaligned teeth, but found metal braces too much of a hassle. Clear aligners from brands such as Invisalign, which are virtually invisible when worn, cost up to US$7,000, which was outside his budget.
So when he came across Zenyum, a Singapore-based start-up promising straighter teeth with clear aligners for just a third of the cost, Kumar decided to give it a try.
“When I signed up, Zenyum was still pretty new and I had my reservations,” said the 27 year-old, who works as an office administrator in Singapore. “But the staff were forthcoming and open … I was very happy with the service.”
Within six months, Kumar completed his treatment and now has the straight teeth he always wanted. Kumar is part of the demographic that clear aligner start-ups such as Zenyum are hoping to target – consumers who want to make cosmetic corrections to their teeth, but are unwilling to fork out large sums of money to do so.
Zenyum is one of many companies globally hoping to disrupt the multibillion-dollar orthodontics market by offering clear aligners at a third of the cost of traditional brands on the market, with fewer dentist visits.