Align’s goal is to give patients of all ages access to the smiles they want and deserve. Our smile-changing technology and innovations are designed to meet the demands of today’s patients with treatment options that are convenient, comfortable, and affordable, while helping to improve overall oral health. Looking ahead, Align is focused on continuing to innovate in digital dentistry, scaling our capacity to manage millions of digital requests, and expanding the Align™ Digital Platform that integrates and connects all users – doctors, labs, patients, and consumers.
Over time, as we reimagine the Invisalign® treatment planning experience, we will continue to introduce new technologies, features, and functionality that we expect will significantly improve predictability and flexibility and integrate with a doctor’s clinical preferences. In addition, we will continue to advance developments in 2D/3D imaging, including digital tools for faster and better case set ups with more accurate final tooth positions.
Some of our latest technologies include: the Invisalign® Palatal Expander System, Invisalign® System with Mandibular Advancement Featuring Occlusal Blocks for Class II Skeletal and Dental Correction, Align X-ray Insights (AI computer-aided detection software), and the next generation iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner (without iTero Near Infra-Red Imaging (NIRI) technology) and the new iTero Lumina™ Pro dental imaging system (with iTero NIRI technology).
Align is committed to responsible AI principles and using AI to provide virtual care solutions that assist doctors to more accurately and consistently diagnose, treatment plan, and maintain continuity of care for their patients. We are excited about the possibilities enabled by image data and AI to further improve doctors’ oral care capabilities and provide digital solutions that offer greater patient convenience and care while providing practice scalability.
“We are excited about the possibilities enabled by image data and AI to further improve doctors’ oral care capabilities.”
3D printing technology continues to rapidly evolve and is playing a significant role in helping meet the increasing demand for clear aligner treatment and customized end products. Align’s research and development in 3D printing will bring even more customization and efficiency to the future of the 3D printing process.
In January 2024, Align completed the acquisition of privately held Cubicure GmbH, a pioneer in direct 3D printing solutions for polymer additive manufacturing that develops, produces, and distributes innovative materials, equipment, and processes for novel 3D printing solutions. The acquisition has supported and propelled Align’s strategic innovation roadmap by extending our ability to scale printing, materials, and manufacturing capabilities for our 3D printed product portfolio.
For the foreseeable future, we expect our direct 3D printing and indirect printing processes will coexist symbiotically. In the meantime, we continue to invest and innovate in our current manufacturing processes – continually exploring new technologies, including vat-based polymerization.
We strive to help our doctor customers move their practices forward by connecting them with new consumers, providing digital solutions to help increase practice efficiency, and by providing innovative products to help them deliver the best possible treatment outcomes and experiences to millions of people around the world.
