SAN JOSE, Calif. and CARLSTADT, N.J., Jan. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) and Cadent, Inc., today announced an agreement to jointly develop software applications that will run on Cadent iTero™ and iOC™ scanners for use in Invisalign treatment. The new applications will optimize case assessment and planning for Invisalign treatment, and bring valuable digital tools chair-side for Invisalign providers who use Cadent scanners.

"The joint development agreement with Cadent is in line with our long-term strategic initiatives of improving the Invisalign customer experience through innovation," said Thomas M. Prescott, Align president and CEO. "Our partnership with Cadent allows us to leverage our own and other innovative technology to bring digital diagnosis and treatment tools conveniently chair-side in customers' practices."

"Cadent's powder-free scanning technology is fundamental for meeting the precision demanded by Align's standards," said Timothy Mack, Cadent president and CEO. "We are honored to develop new Invisalign applications which leverage our combined technologies and create value for our mutual customers and their patients. Integration with Invisalign has been one of the most widely requested enhancements by both general practitioners who use the iTero system and orthodontists who are using the iOC system."

Over the past few years, Align has worked with several manufacturers of intra-oral scanning (IOS) systems to evaluate interoperability of these systems for future use with Invisalign treatment. Rigorous standards for scan quality and accuracy have been defined by Align to ensure a specific scanning technology can successfully replace the physical impressions currently used in an Invisalign case submission. As part of that program, Align is currently in final beta tests with Cadent to validate their systems for use with Invisalign and expects to announce interoperability in the second quarter of 2011.

Under the terms of the agreement, Align will fund several million dollars for Cadent software development over the next few quarters in order to accelerate the availability of these chair-side applications. Align will own all rights to the developed applications and technology. Additional information regarding these new Invisalign applications will be provided closer to commercial launch.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998. Today, the Invisalign product family includes Invisalign Full, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express, and Vivera Retainers. For additional information, please visit www.aligntech.com

To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.

About Cadent, Inc.

Cadent is the leading provider of 3-D digital CAD/CAM solutions for the orthodontic and dental industries. The Company services thousands of cases per day for a rapidly expanding customer base. Cadent's offerings, including Cadent iTero™, iOC™ powered by iTero™, OrthoCAD™ iCast™ and iQ™, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of orthodontic and dental treatments while increasing the revenue of dental healthcare providers. The Company is backed by a syndicate of leading venture capital investors including Fortissimo Capital, Apax Partners, Panorama Capital (J.P. Morgan Partners), STAR Ventures and SV Life Sciences. For additional information, please visit www.cadentinc.com.

CONTACT: Align Contacts

         Shirley Stacy

         Investor and Corporate Communications

         (408) 470-1150

         sstacy@aligntech.com

         

         Shannon Mangum Henderson

         Ethos Communication, Inc.

         (678) 261-7803

         align@ethoscommunication.com

         

         Cadent Contact

         Kerri Sebring

         Vice President of Marketing

         717-683-6576

         kerri.sebring@cadentinc.com