SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 31, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) today announced that it has extended its funding of the Clear Aligner Research Award Program for a third consecutive year for North America universities and a second year for international universities. Launched in 2009, the Clear Aligner Research Award Program is an annually funded program designed to promote clinical and scientific research in clear aligner therapy. For 2012, four one-year awards of $25,000 for North America universities and four one-year awards of $15,000 for international universities will be available, for a total award of $160,000. 

"The recent addition of the international component to this research program has generated a great deal of interest from the international academic community. Because of this, the international award pool has been increased for 2012." said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align Technology director of Clinical International.

The recipients for the 2011 Clear Aligner Research Awards were announced earlier this year, with three research awards issued in North America and three research awards issued internationally. Proposals funded in 2011 included periodontal and dental health evaluations of both teenagers and adults treated with Invisalign aligners, several Invisalign treatment evaluation studies, a biomechanical evaluation of clear aligners, and a color stability study of Vivera® orthodontic retainers.

"Based on the number and the quality of proposals received this past year, the response from the academic community to this program has been very positive," said Dr. Eric Kuo, Align Technology vice president of Clinical Technology.

Eligible applicants include full- and part-time university faculty involved in orthodontic research or scientific work that may contribute to the improvement of clear aligner therapy. All applications are reviewed by an independent academic committee that forwards its recommendations to Align Technology for final selection. The academic committee chair for 2012 is Dr. Timothy Wheeler, professor and chair of the department of orthodontics at the University of Florida. Program details and instructions for prospective applicants can be found at www.aligntechinstitute.com/researchawards (for North American applicants) and www.aligntechinstitute.com/internationalresearch (for International applicants). To streamline the application process, Align has created an online research proposal template for prospective applicants to complete along with their application. Research proposals and completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on March 1, 2012. Award recipients will be notified by May 1, 2012.

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.The Invisalign product family includes Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express 10, and Vivera Retainers. To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.

Cadent Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Align Technology and is a leading provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry. The Cadent family of products includes iTero and iOC scanning systems, OrthoCAD iCast, OrthoCAD iQ and OrthoCAD iRecord. For additional information, please visit www.cadentinc.com.

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