SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept 12, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), the inventor of Invisalign(R), a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires or brackets, today announced that Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery is integrating Invisalign into its undergraduate and post-graduate curriculum.

"Columbia's program is one of the top-rated in the United States; they have set a standard for quality care and are driven to create technical excellence," said Dr. Lou Shuman, Vice President of Strategic Clinical Relations at Align. "We are very excited to be working with them to help prepare students to treat patients with the Invisalign technique."

New Invisalign-focused coursework will be required of all third year students. After completing an Invisalign certification course, students will be allowed to treat anterior tooth movement cases under the supervision of certified orthodontic residents and faculty members. In April and May of this year, third and fourth year students completed an Invisalign certification course at Columbia University. The next certification course is scheduled for spring 2006.

"We wish to have access to all viable treatment modalities available to our patients and to expose students to all available educational opportunities," said Dr. Thomas J. Cangialosi, Director of Orthodontics for the program. "Integrating the Invisalign technique into our program increases student and restorative faculty awareness of the importance of doing an orthodontic evaluation on each one of their patients who are here for comprehensive dental care."

The School of Dental and Oral Surgery (SDOS) at Columbia University Medical Center, founded in 1917, is located in northern Manhattan. In addition to providing education programs for pre- and post-doctoral candidates, SDOS conducts research in state-of-the-art facilities and oversees an extensive community-based service program for residents in the surrounding community -- a federally designated medical and dental manpower shortage area.

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.

Investor Relations Contact             Press Contact
     Barbara Domingo                        Shannon Mangum Henderson
     Align Technology, Inc.                 Ethos Communication, Inc.
     (408) 470-1000                         (678) 417-1767
     investorinfo@aligntech.com             shannon@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., +1-678-417-1767 or shannon@ethoscommunication.com, for Align
Technology, Inc.

http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX