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Jan 14, 2002
Invisalign® Treats Broader Range of Teenagers and Adults
Invisalign® Treats Broader Range of Teenagers and Adults
Invisalign, the first nearly invisible, removable and comfortable dental appliance that effectively straightens teeth without wires and brackets, is now marketed for treatment of a broader range of malocclusions.
According to a December 2001 clinical study published in the international orthodontic journal Seminars in Orthodontics, titled "Three-Dimensional Diagnosis and Orthodontic Treatment of Complex Malocclusions with the Invisalign Appliance," Dr. Robert L. Boyd, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California, summarizes his experience using Invisalign in orthodontic treatment of patients with more complex orthodontic problems has demonstrated excellent patient compliance with less discomfort, and improved aesthetics and oral hygiene, when compared with fixed orthodontic appliances. "Based on these results, I am now able to treat more than 90 percent of patients seeking dental care over the age of 14 in my private practice, using the Invisalign appliance," said Dr. Boyd.
Dr. Ross Miller, chief clinical officer at Align Technology, and a practicing orthodontist has found that Invisalign used alone or in combination treatment is as effective as traditional braces at treating a high percentage of orthodontic malocclusions. "A year ago we started to see the first finished cases with Invisalign, and many of these were of the mild to moderate category, since these cases finished treatment earlier. Currently, we are starting to see more difficult cases finish and be published in orthodontic journals," said Dr. Ross Miller.
Patients, especially working adults who might not otherwise seek orthodontic treatment, are now seeking the smile they always wanted with Invisalign because of its inherent aesthetically pleasing look and comfortable fit. "Patients to whom appearance and public speaking are a priority are good candidates for Invisalign," commented Dr. Boyd.
In addition, patients with nickel allergies are good candidates for Invisalign, since traditional brackets contain some component of nickel in the stainless steel. Also, due to the ability to remove Invisalign for cleaning teeth, patients with special needs, such as muscular dystrophy, are also especially good candidates for Invisalign.
In the U.S. and Canada, 70 percent of orthodontists and a growing number of general dentists are now certified to treat patients with Invisalign.
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, comfortable and 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 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, please visit www.invisalign.com or call 1-800-INVISIBLE.
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on Align Technology's current expectations. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements concerning a broader range of dental patients. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include Align Technology's ability to achieve profitability, the adoption by orthodontists and consumers of the Invisalign System, Align Technology's successful enforcement of its intellectual property and avoidance of infringement on third party patents, Align Technology's ability to establish and maintain reliable, high-volume manufacturing capacity in the U.S. and internationally, Align Technology's ability to manage its significant growth and retain its key personnel, and Align Technology's ability to achieve cost-savings in manufacturing and to increase manufacturing efficiencies. These factors, as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Align Technology's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.