FAQ
About WinnoveMED
What are the legal details for WinnoveMED ?
WinnoveMED is a simplified joint-stock company (SAS) with a share capital of €27,201, registered with the Rennes Trade and Companies Register under number 883 839 201, with its registered office at 2 rue de la Mabilais, 35000 Rennes, operating in the manufacture of medical-surgical and dental equipment under NAF code 32.50A.
Where is WinnoveMED based?
WinnoveMED is based in Rennes, Brittany, at Bâtiment Le Mabilais, 2 rue de la Mabilais, 35000 Rennes.
Who is behind WinnoveMED ?
WinnoveMED is a French medtech startup founded in 2020 in Rennes by Firas Harrabi, a mechanical engineer and PhD in mechanical orthodontics and member of the Société Française d'Orthopédie Dento-Faciale, and Damien Charalabidis, a digital modelling engineer and seasoned manager.
The team, made up predominantly of engineers, has developed the first complete design and manufacturing platform for custom fixed orthodontic retainers, in partnership with numerous orthodontists and French university hospitals. It combines a clinical AI iForm™, a patented bending robot NovaBend™, and augmented reality placement assistance.
Behind WinnoveMED stand BPI France, the Région Bretagne, French Tech Rennes Saint-Malo, the CIC and Crédit Agricole — all of whom believed in our mission and have supported us from the very beginning.
What technologies has WinnoveMED developed?
WinnoveMED has developed an entirely in-house, full-stack technology platform dedicated to fixed orthodontic retention, built around three proprietary components.
Our iForm™ clinical design AI analyses the patient's intraoral scan and automatically generates the optimal wire path by simultaneously combining physiological, mechanical and clinical constraints. Trained on over 30,000 practitioner-validated retainers, this proprietary database grows richer with every new retainer placed.
Our patented NovaBend™ robot executes this design with sub-millimetre precision, through 3D bending at the 2nd order, in less than 90 seconds. It is the only solution on the market capable of covering all clinical cases including the maxillary arch. The patent is granted in Europe, the United States and China.
Our augmented reality placement assistance algorithms will ultimately allow clinical data to be overlaid directly in the practitioner's field of view during placement. This technology is currently used internally for wire positioning validation and is being developed for direct practitioner assistance at the chairside.
How does WinnoveMED differ from other solutions on the market?
Current fixed retention solutions fall into three categories: chairside manual bending by the practitioner, craft manufacturing by a dental technician, and automated bending solutions.
WinnoveMED stands apart through full ownership of the technology stack, from intraoral scan analysis via its clinical AI iForm™ to wire bending via its NovaBend™ robot — the only solution on the market capable of 3D bending at the 2nd order, covering all clinical cases including the most complex, such as maxillary deep bite.
What is WinnoveMED's mission?
WinnoveMED's mission is to improve the therapeutic outcomes of orthodontic treatments through science and engineering.
Is WinnoveMED open to industrial or academic partnerships?
Yes.
WinnoveMED actively collaborates with clinical institutions such as AP-HM and AP-HP, as well as research laboratories and academic institutions including the Applied Biomechanics Laboratory at Aix-Marseille University, Université Gustave Eiffel, the École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, the Institut de Physique de Rennes and the University of Rennes.
We are open to any industrial, academic or institutional partnership aligned with our mission. Get in touch directly at direction@winnovemed.com.
How do I contact WinnoveMED?
You can reach us by email at contact@winnovemed.com, by phone on 02 20 06 00 94, or via the contact form on our website.
Our team will get back to you promptly.
How do I apply to work at WinnoveMED?
We regularly recruit people who share our passion for medical innovation.
Find our current vacancies and submit a speculative application on our careers page. page carrières.
Who provides institutional support to WinnoveMED?
WinnoveMED is supported by BPI France, the Région Bretagne and French Tech Rennes Saint-Malo.
Orthodontic retention: an overview
What is a fixed orthodontic retainer?
A fixed orthodontic retainer is a custom-made medical device bonded to the inner surface of the teeth (lingual side) at the end of orthodontic treatment. It is typically applied to the front teeth (anterior segment), most commonly from canine to canine, on both the lower (mandibular) and upper (maxillary) arches.
Its purpose is to hold the teeth in their new position while they stabilise, as teeth naturally tend to shift in the months following the end of active treatment.
Only an orthodontist can determine the need for a fixed retainer based on the clinical characteristics of the treatment.
Why is retention needed after orthodontic treatment?
Active orthodontic treatment moves the teeth but does not immediately stabilise the surrounding tissues (particularly the ligaments), which need time to reorganise around the new tooth positions.
Without retention, teeth may gradually drift back towards their original position, partially or fully. This is known as relapse.
Retention is therefore the stage that safeguards the long-term outcome of months or years of active treatment.
Only an orthodontist can determine the need for a fixed retainer based on the clinical characteristics of the treatment.
What is the difference between a fixed retainer and a removable aligner?
A fixed retainer is typically a thin wire bonded to the inner surface (lingual side) of the front teeth. The key advantage is that the patient benefits from continuous, long-term retention without having to think about it.
A removable retainer is a clear plastic splint that the patient must wear regularly, typically at least overnight. It retains all teeth (both anterior and posterior segments) but requires significant long-term compliance.
The two can be combined: the fixed wire handles day-to-day retention of the anterior segment, while the removable aligner retains the posterior segment overnight and also serves as a periodic check, if it no longer fits, it is likely a sign that relapse is under way.
It is your orthodontist who assesses the need for retention and determines the most appropriate type for your clinical situation.
Why do up to 50% of patients relapse after orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic relapse is a multifactorial phenomenon with several often concurrent causes:
1- Clear retainer wear can be insufficient (clinical compliance), as the appliance is worn irregularly or abandoned altogether, and therefore no longer fulfils its retention function.
2- Upper arch (maxillary) fixed retention has until recently been difficult to achieve in complex cases, particularly where significant overlap exists between upper and lower teeth (deep bite), due to the lack of suitable technical solutions. These teeth were therefore not adequately retained. Addressing such complex cases is one of the defining features of the patented 3D bending technology (2nd-order) developed by WinnoveMED.
3- Teeth are constantly under load, particularly during chewing (physiological movement), and therefore exert continuous pressure on the retainer. As a result, a retainer that is not sufficiently durable and/or poorly adapted to the patient's morphology may gradually fail.
Additionally, treatments carried out during adolescence generally target occlusal correction, primarily focusing on the posterior teeth for optimal physiological stability. In adult orthodontics, patient expectations are sometimes more aesthetic in nature, which may require retreatment — as the aesthetic outcome achieved during adolescent treatment does not necessarily meet the expectations of the adult patient years later.
What should I do if my wire comes loose or breaks?
If your retainer wire comes loose or breaks, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Do not attempt to reattach it yourself. The sooner you are seen, the lower the risk of your teeth shifting.
In the meantime, avoid hard or sticky foods that could make the situation worse.
Can I eat normally with a fixed retainer?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases.
A few precautions are however recommended: avoid very hard or sticky foods that could put excessive pressure on the wire or cause it to debond.
Your orthodontist will give you tailored dietary advice at the time of placement.
Are there differences between the fixed retention solutions available?
Yes.
There are significant differences between the fixed retention solutions available on the market, in terms of materials used, manufacturing precision, adaptation to each patient's dental morphology, and day-to-day comfort. These differences have a real impact on the clinical effectiveness and long-term durability of the retainer.
Your orthodontist regularly keeps up to date with developments in the field and will choose the most appropriate solution for your clinical situation. Do not hesitate to ask them about it at your next appointment.
How long does the retention phase last?
The duration of the retention phase depends on your clinical situation and your orthodontist's recommendation.
Some retainers are worn for a few years, others for life, as teeth retain a natural tendency to shift throughout a person's lifetime.
Only your orthodontist can determine the right duration for your situation.
Can you have a fixed retainer and a clear retainer at the same time?
Yes.
The two solutions can be combined: the fixed wire handles day-to-day retention of the front teeth (anterior segment), whilst the clear retainer retains all teeth (both posterior and anterior segments) overnight and serves as a periodic check — if it no longer fits, it is likely a sign that relapse is under way.
It is your orthodontist who assesses the need for retention and determines the most appropriate type for your clinical situation.
WinnoveMED retainers
How does the WinnoveMED platform work?
The WinnoveMED platform is built on three proprietary technology components.
1- The iForm™ clinical design AI analyses the patient's intraoral scan and designs the optimal retainer profile by combining the mechanical constraints of the material, the patient's dental morphology, and the practitioner's prescription.
2- The patented NovaBend™ bending robot bends a 400μm diameter retainer wire with 100μm precision in 3D (2nd-order), whilst guaranteeing its passivity.2- The patented NovaBend™ bending robot bends a 400μm diameter retainer wire with 100μm precision in 3D (2nd-order), whilst guaranteeing its passivity.
3- Our augmented reality algorithms overlay clinical data onto the patient model to validate wire positioning prior to placement. This technology is currently used internally within our quality control process and is being developed for direct practitioner assistance at the chairside.3- Our augmented reality algorithms overlay clinical data onto the patient model to validate wire positioning prior to placement. This technology is currently used internally within our quality control process and is being developed for direct practitioner assistance at the chairside.
How do WinnoveMED retainers differ from other solutions on the market?
WinnoveMED retainers stand out on several key clinical points.
1- Our wire is fine and round, selected for its resilience and patient comfort.
2- 2nd-order 3D bending guarantees a perfect anatomical fit to every dental morphology, including the maxillary arch and complex cases. Every wire is passive at placement, meaning it generates no unwanted mechanical stress on the teeth.
3- Every WinnoveMED retainer is guaranteed for the full duration of patient follow-up, which is unique on the market.
What is the clinical validation behind WinnoveMED retainers?
WinnoveMED retainers are backed by over 30,000 placements and 6 years of clinical follow-up.
They are the subject of active collaborations with AP-HM (CHU Timone, Marseille) and AP-HP (CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris), as well as a research partnership with the Applied Biomechanics Laboratory at Aix-Marseille University.
Over 250 partner orthodontists use WinnoveMED retainers on a daily basis and contribute to their ongoing validation.
What is the regulatory status of WinnoveMED retainers?
WinnoveMED retainers are custom medical devices (CMD) within the meaning of European Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR).
As CMDs, they are manufactured according to a specific prescription from a qualified healthcare professional, for a specific patient.
They are manufactured in compliance with the general safety and performance requirements defined by the MDR.
How is traceability ensured for WinnoveMED retainers?
Every WinnoveMED retainer is fully traceable through our platform.
The clinical design, practitioner's prescription, manufacturing parameters and device history are all archived and accessible at any time.
This complete traceability guarantees regulatory compliance and clinical safety for every patient.
What is the guarantee on WinnoveMED retainers?
Every WinnoveMED retainer is guaranteed for the full duration of the patient's orthodontic follow-up.
In the event of fracture, debonding or any other issue, we remanufacture the retainer at no additional cost, for any reason whatsoever.
How much for a retainer made by WinnoveMED ?
WinnoveMED retainers are custom medical devices (CMD).
As such, pricing is not publicly disclosed, in accordance with the regulations governing communication on medical devices.
Contact our team on 02 44 84 86 44 or by email at sales@winnovemed.com to obtain our pricing.
What is the delivery lead time for a WinnoveMED retainer?
WinnoveMED retainers are dispatched within 5 working days of receiving the intraoral scan and validating the clinical design on our platform.
An express dispatch service within 2 working days is also available on request, for greater scheduling flexibility.
Which intraoral scanners are compatible?
Our platform is compatible with all intraoral scanners on the market via STL file import.
Additionally, dedicated gateways are available for 3Shape™, iTero™, Dexis™ and Medit™ scanners, enabling secure file transfer directly from your scanner to our platform.
Can the clinical design proposed by the AI be modified?
Yes.
Every clinical design generated by our iForm™ AI can be modified by the practitioner prior to manufacturing. From our platform, you can review the proposed wire path, request adjustments and validate the final design.
Is there a minimum commitment to use WinnoveMED retainers?
No.
You order as and when you need, with no minimum volume or duration commitment.
Our offering adapts to every practice's usage, from the smallest to the largest volume.
How do I become a WinnoveMED partner practice?
Simply contact our team on 02 44 84 86 44 or by email at sales@winnovemed.com to set up your account on our platform and place your first order.
There is no minimum commitment or volume requirement, you order as and when you need.
Our team supports you through the platform onboarding process and remains available at every step via your dedicated clinical contact and our telephone helpline.
In which countries are WinnoveMED retainers available?
WinnoveMED retainers are available across the entire European Union, as well as in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
What bonding protocol do we recommend?
WinnoveMED provides every partner practice with its recommended bonding protocol, developed from our experience across more than 30,000 retainer placements.
The protocol covers adhesive, primer and bonding agent selection, tooth surface preparation, positioning via the transfer key, and post-placement checks.
Our dedicated clinical contact is available to support you in its implementation and answer any specific questions.
What support do we provide after the first order?
Every WinnoveMED partner practice benefits from a dedicated clinical contact, reachable by phone and email.
They support you with iForm™ onboarding, the bonding protocol, clinical questions about your cases, and order tracking.
Our goal is for you to feel confident and fully operational from your very first placement.
The NovaBend™ bending robot
Qu'est-ce que NovaBend™ ?
NovaBend™ is WinnoveMED's patented bending robot.
It enables custom fixed orthodontic retainers to be manufactured directly in the orthodontic practice, with complete autonomy.
Connected to our platform and our iForm™ clinical design AI, NovaBend™ bends wires in 3D at the 2nd order with sub-millimetre precision, in less than 90 seconds.
It is the only solution on the market capable of covering all clinical cases, including the maxillary arch and complex cases.
How does NovaBend™ differ from in-practice bending devices?
NovaBend™ is an in-practice bending robot, not a simple bending device. It represents a major clinical and technological step forward compared to the bending solutions currently on the market.
NovaBend™ is the only bending robot capable of 3D bending at the 2nd order with sub-millimetre precision.
NovaBend™ is the only bending robot that covers all clinical cases, including the maxillary arch and complex cases.
NovaBend™ is the only bending robot that integrates a clinical design AI, iForm™, trained on over 30,000 patient cases, enabling perfect physiological and clinical adaptation.
NovaBend™ is the only bending robot that designs and bends retainers by simultaneously accounting for physiological, mechanical and clinical constraints.
NovaBend™ is the only bending robot that delivers a passive wire in less than 90 seconds.
How much space is needed to install NovaBend™?
NovaBend™ is compact and designed to fit discreetly into any practice.
It sits on a standard desk with a footprint of 41 x 18 x 27 cm. No specific installation work is required.
Which wires can be bent with NovaBend™?
NovaBend™ bends exclusively the wires selected and clinically validated by WinnoveMED.MED a sélectionnés et validés cliniquement.
We offer only the best wires available on the market, chosen for their optimal mechanical properties and compatibility with our robotic bending process.
Our commitment is to guarantee passive, lasting wires every time.
Is a mandatory subscription required after purchasing NovaBend™?
No.
Using NovaBend™ requires no paid subscription, our platform is included.
Optional add-ons are available to accelerate your production workflow and optimise performance, alongside standard warranty extension and service contract options, as with any medical equipment.
Can you switch between outsourced and in-practice manufacturing, and vice versa?
Yes, very easily.
Both models run on the same platform, only the manufacturing location changes.
Whether your retainer is manufactured in our Rennes facility or by NovaBend™ in your practice, the ordering process, clinical design and wire quality are identical.
You can switch between the two models as needed, with no change to your workflow.
Which intraoral scanners are compatible with NovaBend™?
Our platform is compatible with all intraoral scanners on the market via STL file import.
Additionally, dedicated gateways are available for 3Shape™, iTero™, Dexis™ and Medit™ scanners, enabling secure file transfer directly from your scanner to our platform.
Can the clinical design proposed by the iForm™ AI be modified?
Yes.
Every clinical design generated by our iForm™ AI can be modified by the practitioner prior to manufacturing. From our platform, you can review the proposed wire path and adjust it to obtain the final design.
What support do you provide after purchasing NovaBend™?
Every practice equipped with NovaBend™ benefits from a dedicated clinical contact, reachable by phone and email.
They support you with robot and platform onboarding, iForm™ setup, the placement protocol, clinical questions about your cases, and activity monitoring.
Our goal is for you to feel fully autonomous and confident from your very first in-practice manufacture.
What is the clinical validation behind NovaBend™?
WinnoveMED retainers are backed by over 30,000 placements, 6 years of clinical follow-up, active collaborations with AP-HM (CHU Timone, Marseille) and AP-HP (CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris), and a research partnership with the Applied Biomechanics Laboratory at Aix-Marseille University.
NovaBend™ is built on the same technology and the same clinical foundation as our retainers, and therefore benefits from the same level of clinical validation.
How much does NovaBend™ cost?
NovaBend™ enables the manufacturing of custom medical devices (CMD).
As such, pricing is not publicly disclosed, in accordance with the regulations governing communication on medical devices.
Contact our team on 02 44 84 86 44 or by email at sales@winnovemed.com to obtain our pricing.
How do I order a NovaBend™?
Simply contact our team on 02 44 84 86 44 or by email at sales@winnovemed.com qui répondra à l’ensemble de vos questions et pourra vous éditer un devis personnalisé.
