SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct 17, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Today Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), the inventor of the Invisalign(R) system, a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires or brackets, announced a phased rollout of ClinAdvisor(TM), a new suite of software tools designed to make Invisalign case selection, submission and review processes more efficient for doctors. ClinAdvisor combines goal-based treatment planning with case assessment tools to give new and experienced doctors the clinical confidence they need to treat more patients with the Invisalign system.

The ClinAdvisor suite of tools helps Invisalign doctors select treatment goals and options that match their comfort level with the Invisalign system. The ClinAdvisor Assessment tool provides a detailed assessment of a patient's initial dentition and matches this information with a list of possible treatment goals to provide the doctor with an understanding of the case complexity and predictability of treatment for each goal.

"The expertise we've gained from almost 500,000 cases is helping us create a baseline of clinical knowledge that informs our products and helps make treatment more efficient and predictable for our customers," said Thomas M. Prescott, president and CEO of Align. "This is just the first in a series of innovative products and tools Align is developing to enhance the customer experience and treatment outcomes with Invisalign."

ClinAdvisor simplifies case selection by helping doctors identify the skills necessary for a specific case. A complexity rating system categorizes treatment plans as "Easy," "Moderate" or "Advanced" and lists expected treatment characteristics and potentially challenging movements for each option. This process helps increase the predictability of treatment outcomes by minimizing unexpected challenges during treatment. ClinAdvisor lets doctors choose to treat cases in their comfort zone, but also provides a graduated pathway to more difficult cases as advanced skills are mastered.

ClinAdvisor also streamlines case submission by providing doctors with goal-specific treatment forms. Doctors have the option of choosing from four separate treatment goals for more efficient treatment planning:

    -- Pre-Restorative: helps prepare teeth for restorative procedures
    -- Esthetic: aligns the upper and lower anterior teeth
    -- Anterior Function Improvement: improves the canine relationship in
       addition to esthetic alignment
    -- Optimal Setup: addresses all aspects of malocclusion

Patients benefit from the case knowledge inherent in the new software. ClinAdvisor's Quick Patient Assessment provides doctors and practice staff with a chair-side tool to help illustrate potential treatment progression to prospective patients. The patients can view sample ClinCheck(R) files that mirror their own dentition and treatment goals. This allows prospective patients to see how their treatment is likely to progress before committing to treatment and taking dental records.

ClinAdvisor is being launched in North America through a phased rollout program with full commercial availability planned for Q1 of next year. A new version of Align's ClinCheck software is being released simultaneously to support the new features in ClinAdvisor.

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 older teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.

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

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected timing of the full commercial North American launch of ClinAdvisor. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release relating to expectations about future events or results are based upon information available to Align as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks relating to customer demand for Invisalign, acceptance of Invisalign by consumers and dental professionals, Align's third party manufacturing processes and personnel and Align's ability to develop and successfully introduce new products. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Align's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2006, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Align undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

     Investor Relations Contact       Press Contact
     Barbara Domingo                  Shannon Mangum Henderson
     Align Technology, Inc.           Ethos Communication, Inc.
     (408) 470-1000                   (678) 540-9222
     investorinfo@aligntech.com       align@ethoscommunication.com

SOURCE Align Technology, Inc.

Investor Relations: Barbara Domingo of Align Technology, Inc., +1-408-470-1000 or
investorinfo@aligntech.com; or Press: Shannon Mangum Henderson of Ethos
Communication, Inc., +1-678-540-9222 or align@ethoscommunication.com, for Align
Technology, Inc.

http://www.invisalign.com

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