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Align Technology to Offer Invisalign® Treatment to Patients Impacted by OrthoClear Settlement
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept 28, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), the inventor of Invisalign(R), a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires or brackets, today announced that it will make Invisalign treatment available to patients affected by Align's recent litigation settlement with OrthoClear, Inc., a competing provider of clear removable aligner therapy. Under the terms of the settlement, OrthoClear has agreed to stop the importation of aligners into the United States and, subject to OrthoClear shareholder approval, discontinue all aligner business operations worldwide. As a result, current OrthoClear patients may not be able to complete their orthodontic treatment with OrthoClear. Align has offered to help minimize treatment disruptions for these patients and their doctors by making Invisalign treatment available to OrthoClear patients at no additional charge from Align.
"As OrthoClear stops importing aligners into the U.S., many patients who chose removable aligner therapy will be left without a way to complete their orthodontic treatment," said Darrell Zoromski, Vice President, Marketing at Align Technology. "As the company that developed and leads the market for clear removable aligners, Align feels a real duty to help these patients and their doctors achieve their treatment goals. Every patient should have the opportunity to get the smile they've always wanted."
Align is developing "Putting Patients First," a program to get current OrthoClear patients started with the Invisalign system at no cost to the patient. Doctors can submit new Invisalign cases for their OrthoClear patients at no charge, provided they agree not to charge their patients.
Align is working quickly to develop and implement "Putting Patients First" in the next few weeks. Until then, patients should contact their doctor with questions regarding their treatment and both doctors and patients should save all OrthoClear treatment-related documentation. Information and periodic updates will be available for OrthoClear patients and their doctors by calling Align's "Putting Patients First" hotline at 1-866-703-6698 and at www.invisalign.com.
About the Invisalign System
The Invisalign system is the invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth without wires or brackets.
More than 450,000 patients worldwide have entered treatment with Invisalign and more than 18 million unique Invisalign aligners have been manufactured.
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.
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.
investors, Barbara Domingo of Align Technology, Inc., +1-408-470-1000, or investorinfo@aligntech.com; or media, Shannon Mangum Henderson of Ethos Communication, Inc., +1-678-540-9222, or align@ethoscommunication.com, for Align Technology, Inc.
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