SANTA CLARA, Calif., Apr 29, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) today announced that a total of $75,000 in scientific research funding is being awarded to two universities with projects seeking to further the understanding of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. The two recipients selected to receive research funding in 2010 as part of Align's Clear Aligner Research Award Program are Dr. Maria Orellana, assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, and Dr. Robyn Silberstein, clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

Dr. Orellana will receive a $25,000 award with an option to renew for an additional $25,000 in 2011 for the project "Awareness, Acceptance and Use of the Invisalign(R) System," which seeks to conduct a cross-sectional, epidemiological study examining awareness, acceptance, and use of clear aligners in the adolescent Latino population. Dr. Silberstein will receive a $25,000 award for the project "Adherence Predictability to Invisalign(R) Treatment," which seeks to design and test effective tools to predict patient compliance.

"This is the first year that Align Technology has awarded research funding for scientific projects based on a formal submission process. We were pleased with the level of academic interest in clear aligner therapy research, and we will continue to sponsor the program for 2011," said Align's vice president of Clinical Technology, Dr. Eric Kuo.

All proposals received were reviewed and prioritized by an independent academic committee. The review committee chair for 2010 was Dr. Timothy Wheeler, professor and chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Florida, who noted, "We received some very interesting and creative proposals that could produce data that would help practitioners in the near future. Using a peer-review process, our independent academic committee based its recommendations for funding on the scientific merit of the proposals."

Align Technology first announced the university-centric Clear Aligner Research Award Program designed to promote both clinical and scientific research in clear aligner orthodontic therapy in December of 2009 for funding in 2010. Align Technology plans to continue the Clear Aligner Research Award Program for 2011, awarding up to $100,000 for scientific research. Eligible applicants include full-time university faculty involved in orthodontic scientific research, as well as non-orthodontic scientists whose work may contribute to the improvement of clear aligner therapy. Applications for 2011 funding are due no later than March 1, 2011. Program details and instructions for applicants are available at www.aligntechinstitute.com/ResearchAwards.

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, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express, and Vivera Retainers.

To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com or call 1-800-INVISIBLE.

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SOURCE: Align Technology

CONTACT:  Align Technology, Inc.
Investor Relations Contact
Yin Cantor
(408) 470-1044
ycantor@aligntech.com
Ethos Communication, Inc.
Press Contact
Shannon Mangum Henderson
(678) 261-7803
align@ethoscommunication.com

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