“AI technology aims to provide a higher level of medical care quality and efficiency than before.”

Advancements in cutting-edge technology are fundamentally transforming the paradigm of the medical field. Particularly, AI technology not only enhances the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment but also improves accessibility to medical services. It contributes to lowering cost barriers, enabling more people to receive quality treatment.


Amidst this, ImagoWorks, an AI-based digital dentistry solution company, is continuously innovating under the mission of 'Making the future of digital medicine for everyone.' Digital dentistry is a next-generation dental system that integrates the entire process of dental treatment and prosthesis production with digital technology. ImagoWorks leads the AI Transformation (AX) of digital dentistry, leveraging its specialized capabilities in 3D data, medical imaging, and AI technology. It stands out in the global market, showing immense growth potential. CEO Kim Young-jun discussed the company's core technology, global strategy, and future vision.

Reducing introduction costs and differentiating with efficient solutions…Even beginners can use it

ImagoWorks, a company affiliated with the Hongneung Small and Medium Business Special Zone, was founded in 2019 and gained attention by commercializing the world's first AI-based SaaS (Software as a Service) dental CAD (Computer Aided Design). CEO Kim Young-jun's background, having obtained a Ph.D. in CAD from Seoul National University and serving as a principal researcher at Stanford University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology for over 20 years, played a significant role. Currently, 140 members, including experts in CAD, AI, and dental clinics, contribute to the development of ImagoWorks.

ImagoWorks' flagship product is the dental CAD 'Dentbird Solutions' in the AIaaS (AI+SaaS) format. Unlike traditional CAD, this solution runs on the web without any installation, which is its key feature. It operates on a subscription basis, reducing initial introduction costs, and automatically applies version upgrades without additional costs, seeking differentiation. This supports the easy establishment of digital dentistry.

CEO Kim Young-jun emphasized, “Traditional CAD requires purchasing a license costing up to KRW 10 million per seat (PC), but Dentbird Solutions operates on a subscription basis, making initial introduction costs lower,” while also stating, “We are continuously investing in infrastructure enhancement to balance medical data security and cloud convenience.”


Dentbird Solutions consists of ▲Dentbird Crown, which automatically designs prostheses for tooth crown treatment ▲Dentbird Batch, which automatically processes the entire prosthesis design process when a large amount of patient data is uploaded ▲Dentbird Modeler, which supports digital model design work to create real models from 3D data of a patient's oral scan ▲Dentbird Studio, which provides automation functions for preprocessing such as segmentation and alignment of 3D data from CT, oral structure, and facial scans.

According to ImagoWorks, among the four solutions, Dentbird Batch can automatically process a large amount of prosthesis data, providing real-time verification and modification convenience, giving it an edge over similar competitor products. Additionally, Dentbird Crown has expanded its AI automatic design function from the initial single tooth crown prosthesis design to multiple single crowns, as well as bridges, inlays, and onlays in various dental prosthesis treatment areas.

CEO Kim Young-jun stated, “While traditional CAD required up to thousands of mouse clicks, Dentbird Solutions reduces that process to a few clicks. Generative AI, trained with clinical big data, suggests the anatomical shape of prostheses, and it is possible to automate key processes such as margin line detection and occlusal force adjustment. It can only become more sophisticated over time with accumulated data.”

With this differentiated competitiveness, ImagoWorks has supplied its solutions to over 200 dental clinics and dental laboratories domestically and internationally this year alone, showing rapid growth. It currently has 18,000 users worldwide. CEO Kim Young-jun explained, “All work processes from uploading a patient's 3D scan data to crown design are automated with AI technology, allowing even beginners to complete it within 1-2 minutes,” and added, “More work can be done at the same time, improving productivity and profitability, resulting in positive customer feedback.”

Strategically capturing global markets in Japan, Thailand, the United States, etc.

ImagoWorks is accelerating its global market expansion. Starting with the IDS International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, in March this year, it has signed dealership contracts with 10 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It has since expanded contracts to India, Türkiye, Southeast Asia, and South America, with additional dealership negotiation requests increasing.


Particularly noteworthy is ImagoWorks' entry into Japan. After partnering with Ci Medical, a major Japanese dental equipment distributor, ImagoWorks is supplying its solutions to local dental clinics and dental laboratories. Ci Medical has an annual revenue of approximately KRW 1 trillion and owns a network of over 65,000 dental clinics and laboratories, covering about 95% of the Japanese dental market. CEO Kim Young-jun explained, “Japan has a lower adoption rate of digital dental technology compared to Korea, and the aging of dentists and dental technicians is progressing. Especially, there is a significant demand for AI automation solutions due to the severe shortage of new dental technician personnel.”

In line with the Japanese dental industry environment, the 'Dentbird Hub' platform was also introduced locally for the first time. Dentbird Hub connects Korean and local dental laboratories online, serving as a platform for ordering and producing AI-based prosthesis design and production, effectively exporting Korea's excellent dental technology. Inquiries and orders have been increasing since its local introduction.

In fact, ImagoWorks has been conducting overseas market research by visiting global exhibitions, focusing on developing customized infrastructure for local markets. It has also ventured into direct production business through overseas subsidiaries. In 2022, it established local subsidiaries 'AOX Inc.' in Thailand and last year in Dallas, Texas, USA. The US subsidiary began operations this year, expecting sales of KRW 4 billion. CEO Kim Young-jun stated, “Unlike Korea, which is hindered by regulations, Thailand has a high level of medical care and active medical tourism, and communication is possible in English, making it suitable for Proof of Concept (PoC). Through this, we once again confirmed the competitiveness of Korean dental technology and the potential of AI technology,” and added, “We prepared for entry into the US from 2024. We secured our unique technology and price competitiveness, achieving meaningful results such as signing contracts to supply prostheses to local veterans hospitals.”


Most importantly, based on the cases in Thailand and the US, ImagoWorks plans to expand the AOX solution business model, which directly designs and produces full-arch prostheses with AI, to other countries such as Australia and Europe. The AOX solution automates the traditionally manual design process in large-scale prosthetic treatments like All-on-X implants, enhancing both design speed and precision. Beyond simple exports, it expands the global business foundation through strategic local distribution network establishment and direct service model introduction. CEO Kim Young-jun explained, “ImagoWorks currently operates three revenue models. We supply Dentbird Solutions to dental laboratories and clinics worldwide, directly design and produce full-arch prostheses with AI through overseas subsidiaries, and export dental works through Dentbird Hub.”

In the early days of its founding, ImagoWorks primarily focused on a B2B model, transferring AI technology to domestic and international implant and CT companies. It has now shifted to a B2C model, directly targeting the market. Based on these achievements, it has raised a total of KRW 36 billion in funding, including KRW 23 billion in Series C. Additionally, ImagoWorks has successfully completed the QMS (Quality Management System) of CE MDR (European Medical Device Regulation) and MDSAP (Medical Device Single Audit Program) for the US and Canada. It has also completed HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), privacy regulations required in the US and Europe, enhancing its credibility.

Expecting sales of over KRW 10 billion next year

ImagoWorks clearly demonstrates how excellent Korean dental technology and AI technology are positively transforming medical sites. In recognition of its contributions, it was selected as a case of realizing human-centered medical innovation through AI at the 'AI for Good Global Summit 2025,' a global project organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the United Nations. AI for Good is an event aimed at actively utilizing AI technology for the benefit of humanity and the realization of the public good, and ImagoWorks was evaluated for its contribution to the 'Good Health and Well-being' segment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ImagoWorks, which has shown growth every year, expects to exceed KRW 10 billion in total sales next year by activating its revenue model. CEO Kim Young-jun emphasized, “Our top priority is to further spread our products in the global market and promote the dental laboratory business through overseas subsidiaries,” and added, “We will enhance our infrastructure to provide stable services while meeting regional regulations and security standards, as well as strengthen our sales, after-sales support, and product education capabilities.” He continued, “We plan to expand our business capabilities by strengthening partnerships with dental hospitals, dental laboratories, and distributors through various exhibition activities in North America and Japan.”

In terms of products, the company plans to provide more precise prosthesis designs by enhancing AI performance and expand the range of clinical applications. Currently, it offers automatic design for single crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays. It is also developing solutions for the automatic design of dentures and full-arch prostheses for future release. CEO Kim Young-jun expressed his aspiration, “Through ImagoWorks, we want to build an automated digital dental ecosystem that connects surgical planning, AI design, 3D printing, and milling production to actual treatment in the long term.” He also announced plans for an initial public offering (IPO) with the aim of listing on KOSDAQ by 2027.


This remarkable growth cannot be mentioned without the Hongneung Small and Medium Business Special Zone, which has been with ImagoWorks since its inception. ImagoWorks is a spin-off company from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and partnered with Seoul Bio Hub after winning the Johnson & Johnson Healthcare QuickFire Challenge in 2019. That relationship continues to this day. CEO Kim Young-jun and the core technical team at ImagoWorks are also from KIST.

CEO Kim Young-jun stated, “The Hongneung Small and Medium Business Special Zone is home to world-class research institutions such as KIST, Korea University Anam Hospital, and Kyung Hee University Hospital, providing an optimal environment for biomedical engineering research. Additionally, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and Seoul Bio Hub have established an environment where biomedical engineering technology can be applied to actual clinical practice,” and added, “ImagoWorks has been receiving abundant support for the commercialization of medical technology since its early days by being housed in Seoul Bio Hub. We were also able to secure differentiated technology due to our long-term research. We are truly grateful.”

Leading positive innovation in the dental field by integrating AI and medical technology, ImagoWorks not only provides a higher level of medical care quality and efficiency by enhancing the entire digital dentistry process but also dreams of solving patient issues in blind spots with appropriate technology. ImagoWorks continues to draw the blueprint for 'digital medicine for everyone.'

IT Donga Reporter Park Gui-im (luckyim@itdonga.com)

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