Invisalign and its Growth
- Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners manufactured by Align Technology.
- The clear align system has been used to treat more than 14 million patients.
- Invisalign was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998.
- Orthodontists were initially resistant to adopting Invisalign.
- Align Technology raised about $140 million in funding over four rounds from 1997 to 2000.
- By 2001, 75 percent of the 8,500 orthodontists in North America had been trained on the Invisalign system.
- Align Technology made Invisalign available to general dentists following a class-action lawsuit.
- The Invisalign system grew from 80,000 patients in 2002 to 175,000 in 2004.
- Invisalign won several awards for stereolithography, medical design, and fast growth.
- Align Technology expanded into Japan and acquired General Orthodontic in 2005.
Invisalign Product Updates
- Invisalign Express 10, which uses 10 aligners, was introduced in 2005.
- Invisalign 1.5 was released in 2009, followed by Invisalign G3 in 2010 and G4 in 2011.
- Invisalign G3 and G4 were designed for more complex treatments.
- An Invisalign Express 5 version, which uses 5 aligners, was introduced in 2012.
- In February 2014, Align Technology released a G5 product designed to treat deep bites.
Align Technology Operations
- Align Technology's headquarters are located in California.
- The manufacturing of Invisalign aligners is performed in Mexico.
- Treatment plans for Invisalign are created in Costa Rica.
- Align Technology operates subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Australia.
- The company provides training and certification to doctors.
Align Technology History and Financial Performance
- Align Technology was founded by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in 1997.
- The Invisalign system was first marketed in 2000.
- Align Technology went public on the Nasdaq Stock Market in 2001.
- In March 2011, Align acquired Cadent System, Inc. for $190 million.
- Joseph M. Hogan joined Align as CEO and president in June 2015.
- Align Technology has experienced significant growth since its IPO.
- In 2020, the company announced the acquisition of Exocad, a dental CAD/CAM software leader.
- The acquisition was valued at €376 million.
- The company's financial success has attracted attention from investors and media.
- Align Technology continues to expand its portfolio through strategic acquisitions.
Industry Recognition and Corporate Developments
- Align Technology has received recognition for its contributions to the orthodontic industry.
- The company has been featured in publications like Forbes and Business Insider.
- Align Technology has formed partnerships with dental professionals and institutions.
- The company collaborates with orthodontists to provide training and support.
- Align Technology's products and technology have transformed the field of orthodontics.
- In 2023, Align Technology appointed a new executive vice president and managing director.
- The company announced the acquisition of Cubicure, a leader in additive manufacturing.
- Align Technology's operations have expanded globally.
- The company has faced challenges in certain markets, such as Russia.
- Align Technology remains committed to innovation and advancing dental technology.