Align Technology announces new aligner material launch

Align Technology has announced plans to introduce a highly elastic new clear aligner material for use with its malocclusion treatment solution Invisalign.

SmartTrack is to become the standard Invisalign aligner material in North America and Europe during the first quarter of 2013 and delivers gentler, more constant force to improve control of tooth movements.

While conventional aligner materials relax and lose a substantial percentage of energy after a few days, SmartTrack maintains a more constant pressure over the two weeks that a patient wears the aligners.

Moreover, the new material conforms to tooth morphology, attachments and interproximal spaces more precisely, with data from a recent clinical study confirming its benefits.

Dana Cambra, Align Technology's vice-president for research and development and IT, said: "SmartTrack represents not just an improvement in aligner material – it's a significant improvement in the entire Invisalign system and how we leverage force systems for more predictable tooth movements."

Last week, the firm announced its preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2012, reporting an 8.4 percent year-on-year increase in revenues.