The Story of Invisalign

The Invisalign system was invented and developed in California by two Stanford University post-graduate students called Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth. They had the very clever idea that software derived from AutoCAD combined with scanning technology and computerised production processes using 3D stereo lithography could be utilized to fabricate a series of highly accurate custom made retainers (aligners) to incrementally move teeth into their correct positions and straighten crooked teeth.

Invisalign is a trademark held by the developers of the system, Align Technologies Inc of Santa Clara, California. Invisalign was introduced with full Federal Food and Drugs Administration in the United States in 1998. In Europe it has the “CE” mark of approval as a medical device. Well over nine million patients worldwide have been treated using the system.

Invisalign is quoted on the New York NASDAQ stock exchange as (ALGN).