Align Technology announces over 6 million Invisalign treatments
Align Technology, Inc. has this week announced that over six million patients have begun treatment with Invisalign – including 1.4 million teenage patients. This is a significant milestone for the company and over 150,000 Invisalign-trained doctors worldwide, reflecting accelerating adoption of Invisalign treatment by adults and teens alike.
The six millionth patient, called Yuzhe is a 12-year-old student who began treatment in October 2018 with Dr Jiawei Wo using Invisalign Comprehensive with Mandibular Advancement treatment. Dr Wo is a Gold Invisalign trained doctor who specialises in paediatric orthodontics.
Dr Wo prescribed Invisalign clear aligner therapy to his patient Yuzhe to address her class II teeth misalignment and because it fitted well into her busy, student lifestyle.
He explained: “Invisalign treatment with Mandibular Advancement is great, because it moves the lower jaw forward, while simultaneously aligning the teeth. With the Invisalign system, my patients need far fewer appointments than with traditional orthodontic appliances. This allows them to continue their studies and daily activities without interruption.”
Growing Demand
Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO, enthused: “We are delighted to be celebrating another significant milestone with Invisalign trained doctors and their patients. This achievement is a reflection of growing demand for Invisalign clear aligners from international markets, especially China, which is our second largest country market, nearly doubling each year since the Invisalign system was launched in China back in 2011.
“I would like to thank Dr Jiawei Wo and all the Invisalign trained doctors around the world for helping us make Invisalign treatment the clear aligner orthodontic method of choice among tweens such as Yuzhe, as well as for giving our patients a chance to have beautiful, straight teeth and smile with confidence.”
Fastest Growing Market
Julie Tay, Align Technology senior vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific, recognised the importance of the six millionth Invisalign patient coming from China. She said: “I was absolutely delighted and proud to hear that the six millionth patient is from Asia Pacific.
“China is our fastest growing country market with approximately 70% annual growth rate. I believe there is an enormous opportunity in the region for Invisalign providers to treat millions of young patients like Yuzhe. I would like to thank Dr Wo for his confidence in treating Yuzhe with the Invisalign system, and Yuzhe’s parents for trusting that it is the best solution for their daughter.”
In support of this major milestone for the company, Yuzhe will be featured in an upcoming Invisalign global campaign, entitled “6 Million Invisalign Smiles” which will follow Yuzhe and her family through her Invisalign treatment journey. The campaign will highlight key reasons why she and her parents decided to choose Invisalign clear aligners to help her achieve her new, beautiful smile.
To mark this significant milestone, Align Technology continues its commitment to Operation Smile and the non-profit organisation’s global mission of providing free surgery to children and adults born with cleft lip and cleft palate. To date, Align has donated close to $1 million to the initiative which was founded in 1982 and has since provided hundreds of thousands of life-changing operations.
For additional information about the Invisalign system or to find an Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com.
