SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug 13, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), the inventor of Invisalign®, a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires and brackets, reached a significant manufacturing milestone today with the shipment of its five millionth Aligner.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030813/SFW033 )

Aligners are clear, removable plastic appliances used to straighten teeth in Invisalign treatment. Aligners move teeth incrementally and correspond to stages of tooth movement in the doctor's treatment plan. Invisalign patients wear each Aligner for approximately two weeks before moving on to the next Aligner in the treatment series.

Using state-of-the-art technology, Align manufactures totally unique Aligners for each patient -- no two are alike. Align is one of the largest manufacturers of mass-customized products in the world.

"Manufacturing five million individual, custom-made products is a significant achievement," said Thomas M. Prescott, President and CEO at Align Technology. "It is a reflection of Invisalign's broad applicability and of the cutting-edge technology behind Align's manufacturing process."

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.

SOURCE Align Technology, Inc.

investors, Barbara Domingo of Align Technology, Inc., +1-408-470-1204, or bdomingo@aligntech.com; or media, Shannon Henderson of Ethos Communications, Inc., +1-678-417-1767, or shannon@ethoscommunication.com, for Align Technology, Inc.

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