Domestically produced dental glass-ceramics earns first Guinness World Records™ honor; Rick Brown's "Renya" may rewrite the landscape of dental ceramic consumables

Rick Brown's director and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Zhongzhi Tang, revealed that "Resilient Bud" adopts an original"Biphasic Synergy + Ionic Toughening"Technology: On one hand, two different crystal phases are introduced into the glass-ceramic, forming an interlocking grain structure that significantly enhances the material's basic strength; on the other hand, through the principle of ion toughening, an "expansion-tightening" effect is generated within the internal ions, creating a compressive stress protective layer on the surface, which greatly improves crack resistance. With this process, "Tough Bud" has achievedExceed800MPaThe ultra-high three-point flexural strength. This breakthrough has ended the nearly 20-year stagnation of this indicator for dental glass ceramics, which had long remained between 360MPa and 420MPa.

Clinical Application of Dental Glass CeramicsThe clinical application of dental glass ceramics has exceeded 20 years. Traditional glass ceramics have prominent advantages, such as excellent aesthetic results, superior intraoral bonding performance, and surface hardness close to natural teeth; however, their drawbacks are also very evident—limited fracture resistance. This characteristic determines that traditional glass ceramics are mainly used for dental veneers, partial all-ceramic restorations, and minimally invasive aesthetic repairs. In the Chinese market, due to insufficient strength, they are less commonly used in the fabrication of implant crowns or bridges. In contrast, in European and American markets, especially in South America, the proportion of glass ceramics used in implant crown restorations is much higher than in China.

This difference reflects the value orientations of different markets: European and American customers place greater emphasis on the biocompatibility and health attributes of materials, preferring those that closely mimic the physical properties of natural teeth to minimize denture-induced wear on opposing teeth. In contrast, in most developing countries, patients and institutions tend to prioritize material durability, low revision rates, and cost-effectiveness.

Dr. Tang Zhongzhi led the Rick Brown research team in successfully applying their accumulated technical achievements in the rapid toughening of ultra-thin glass ceramics to the development of dental glass ceramics, introducing "Tough Bud," a product that combines the dual advantages of glass ceramics and zirconia. This product is also the fruition of Fuzhou Rick Brown Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.'s national-level project under the "Biomedical Materials Innovation Task" initiative jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Medical Products Administration, specifically targeting "Dental Microcrystalline Glass."

Before returning to China, Dr. Tang Zhongzhi worked for many years in advanced materials research and development at Corning, the global leader in specialty glass. After returning to China, he served as a glass materials expert at Huawei's 2012 Laboratory. After becoming a partner at Fuzhou Rick Brown Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. in Fuzhou, he was recognized as a high-level talent introduced to Fujian Province (Hundred Talents Plan).

"Rhizome" Biphasic Ionic Toughened Ceramic is expected to become a new generation of high-end ceramic material that balances health and durability in areas such as dental crown implants, and to some extent, replace traditional zirconia.

Currently, in the global dental ceramics market, zirconia materials account for over 75%; in China, this proportion is as high as 95%. However, both zirconia ceramics and traditional glass ceramics face the dilemma of severe product homogenization and intense price competition. The launch of "Runya" provides a differentiated option that combines strength and health attributes for mid-to-high-end consumer groups. Particularly in the European and American markets, it has stronger market entry potential.

By the end of 2024, the global annual implantation volume of dental implants has exceeded 25 million, with the domestic market in China reaching nearly 7 million per year. This vast market demand provides a solid foundation for the application and promotion of "Resilient Bud."

Fuzhou Rick Brown Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the three largest dental glass-ceramic manufacturers in China, with a product line covering dental glass-ceramics, supporting equipment, bioactive glass (used for bone regeneration and soft tissue repair), and functional toothpaste containing bioactive glass, among others.

The company is invested by Hong Kong-listed Fosun Medical Technology (01696.HK, part of Fosun Pharma Group), and has also received investment from the industrial fund of Fuzhou High-tech Zone government and the industrial fund of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (01093.HK). The team consists of returned overseas researchers, a local professional operations team, and clinical dentists, forming a unique advantage with close integration of research, industrialization, and clinical practice.

Fuzhou Rick Brown Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the few companies globally that simultaneously holds medical device registration qualifications for dental glass ceramics from the NMPA (China), FDA (United States), CE (European Union), and SFDA (Saudi Arabia). The company is also the sole undertaking unit of the national-level project "Biomedical Materials Innovation Task: Dental Microcrystalline Glass," jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Medical Products Administration. It has been awarded the titles of "Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative" Small and Medium-sized Enterprise and National High-tech Enterprise.