Department of Orthodontics

Leading Orthodontic Precision Care & Innovation in the Greater Bay Area

The Department of Orthodontics at Sun Yat-sen University (Guanghua School of Stomatology) is a Nationally Recognized Key Clinical Specialty and a premier hub for orthodontic treatment, academic excellence, and medical research. As a Vice-Chair institution for the Chinese Orthodontic Society and a founding leader of the Guangdong Orthodontic Committee, we are dedicated to setting the global standard for clinical quality.

A Legacy of Clinical Leadership

Our department’s journey began in 1988 with the visionary mission of Professor Kai-Ren Yan, who introduced modern orthodontic concepts from Harvard University to China. As one of the birthplaces of modern fixed appliance therapy in the nation, we have spent nearly 40 years refining our craft.

Today, we operate one of the largest and most sophisticated orthodontic centers in the region, managing over 100,000 outpatient visits annually. Our elite team of 47 physicians (including 42 specialists, with 21 holding senior titles as Professors or Associate Professors) adheres to the philosophy of "Light Force & Gentle Movement" to ensure healthy, stable results for patients of all ages.

Precision Treatment & Specialized Care

To provide targeted expertise for complex cases, we have established seven specialized divisions:

• Early Intervention & Prevention: Focusing on growth guidance and interceptive treatment for pediatric patients to ensure healthy craniofacial development.
• Multidisciplinary OSA/Airway Management: A pioneering joint Ortho-ENT clinic providing comprehensive solutions for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and airway-related malocclusions.
• Orthognathic Surgery & Orthodontics: Coordinating complex surgical-orthodontic plans to correct severe skeletal and facial deformities.
• Periodontal-Orthodontic Synergy: Specialized protocols for patients with compromised periodontal health, ensuring tooth movement is safe and stable.
• Restorative-Orthodontic Synergy: Aligning teeth to create the ideal foundation for implants, veneers, and complex rehabilitations.
• Cleft Lip & Palate Management: Dedicated long-term sequential care for patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies.
• Digital Orthodontics & Innovation: Utilizing state-of-the-art clear aligner therapy, 3D printing, and AI-driven treatment simulations.

Innovation Driven by Global Research

Our clinical excellence is supported by a robust scientific infrastructure that ranks among the world’s elite. We bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and chairside care through significant contributions to the field:

High-Impact Science: Our faculty regularly publishes in prestigious journals such as Nature Biomedical Engineering (NBE), STTT, and The Innovation.

Top-Tier Talent: The department has been awarded 8 national-level talent honors, including Changjiang Scholars and recipients of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. Professors within our faculty are consistently recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists.

Clinical Translation: In the past five years, we have secured over 30 national and provincial grants. We have successfully achieved many innovative clinical translations, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and chairside application to directly benefit our patients.

Education & Social Responsibility

We are committed to the mission of cultivating excellent orthodontists:

National Recognition: Our team was awarded the 2025 Guangdong Provincial Teaching Achievement Award (Grand Prize), and the Orthodontics course is a National First-Class Undergraduate Course.

Global Reach: We have trained over 500 orthodontic specialists across 28 Chinese provinces and "Belt and Road" countries like Vietnam and Nepal.

The Future: The Greater Bay Area Orthodontic Center

As we look forward, the Department of Orthodontics continues to deepen its roots in the Greater Bay Area while maintaining a global perspective. Under the guidance of the "Healthy China" initiative, we are building a world-class ecosystem that integrates Clinical Care, Teaching, Public Education, Knowledge Translation, and High-Level Research.