5 millionth Invisalign® patient reflects accelerating growth and adoption

Align Technology, Inc, the worldwide market leader in clear aligner treatment, has announced that 5 million patients have started Invisalign treatment, the most technically advanced clear aligner system in the world.

This is a significant milestone for the Company and the 127,000 Invisalign-trained doctors, reflecting accelerated adoption of Invisalign treatment.

"It's very rewarding to see how rapidly Invisalign treatment is growing around the world. I can't believe our first 'million' took ten years to achieve, while our fifth 'million' only took one year," said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO. "We're continuing to see a significant increase in adoption of Invisalign treatment globally, especially among teens and tweens. In the third quarter of 2017, worldwide Invisalign shipments to teenagers increased 46% compared to the same period last year. To date, over 1 million teenagers have started orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. The introduction of Invisalign Teen with Mandibular Advancement gives Invisalign providers even more confidence that they can deliver great outcomes and great treatment experience to teens in their practices."

The 5 millionth Invisalign patient, Hadi Somakih, is a 12 year-old "tween" currently in treatment using Invisalign Teen with Mandibular Advancement with Dr Eugene Kholov, an Invisalign Top 1 percent provider in Ontario, Canada. As an early adopter of new technology, Dr Kholov became an Invisalign provider nearly 20 years ago and has over 2,000 Invisalign patients - including Hadi. In support of this major milestone for the company, Hadi will be featured in an upcoming Invisalign-brand advertising campaign, entitled One in Five Million, which will follow Hadi through his Invisalign treatment journey, capturing his experience and the transformation of his new smile as he goes about his active lifestyle.

"Invisalign clear aligners have changed the way our teenage patients view their orthodontic experience," Dr Kholov said. "With better comfort and up to 50 percent shorter treatment times when combined with weekly aligner changes, Invisalign treatment enables patients like Hadi to enjoy being a kid without the cumbersome look and discomfort of metal braces."

"My Invisalign clear aligners are more comfortable than I thought they'd be. Plus, I can play hockey with my friends without worrying about getting hit in the face with a bunch of metal in my mouth", Hadi Somakih said. "Dr Kholov even showed me a computer simulation of my tooth movements with Invisalign clear aligners and I can't wait to see my new smile!"

To mark this major milestone, Align Technology is reaffirming its previous commitment to help provide treatment to children born with cleft lip and palate and will donate $1 to Operation Smile for every public share of a photo of a person's smile on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #5MillionSmiles - for a total donation of up to $1 million.*

"Through continuous innovation and new technology, we strive to provide Invisalign practices and their patients with the best treatment possible," Mr Hogan said. "We believe that every person should have access to the most advanced treatment options for a healthy smile. To that end, we hope to inspire others to give more smiles to children in need with our continuing donation pledge to Operation Smile."

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign system, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world and iTero® intraoral scanners and services.

Align's products help dental professionals achieve the clinical results they expect and deliver effective, cutting-edge dental options to their patients.

*Align Technology donation pledge through March 3, 2018. To date, Align has donated more than US$400 thousand to Operation Smile. Facebook shares must be made public in order to trigger the donation. Restrictions apply. For the full terms and conditions, see the website.