Align Technology has announced today that four million patients have now started treatment with Invisalign
This is a significant accomplishment for the company and the 100,000 Invisalign-trained doctors around the world. In connection with this achievement, Align Technology is reaffirming its commitment to help provide treatment to children around the world born with cleft lip and cleft 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 #4millionsmiles – for a total donation of up to $1 million.*
‘We are very proud to now have four million people who have begun treatment with Invisalign clear aligners instead of metal braces,’ said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO.
‘Reaching four million Invisalign patients in half the time it took to reach one million is remarkable and reflects accelerating adoption resulting from nearly 20 years of experience and significant innovation in our products and technology. We strive to provide Invisalign practices and their patients with the best treatment possible and believe every patient 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 pledge to Operation Smile.’
By combining biomechanics research, 3D software technology, cutting-edge mass-customisation, and insights from treating four million-plus patients worldwide, Invisalign clear aligners provide a more comfortable and aesthetically appealing treatment option that addresses 50% of orthodontic cases.
Four millionth Invisalign patient is from the UK
The four millionth Invisalign patient is Matthew Webb, who is in treatment with Dr Graham Tinkler, an Invisalign professional at Bupa Dental Centre, Bank, London. To mark this major milestone for the company, Mr. Webb will be featured in an upcoming Invisalign advertising campaign, entitled One in Four Million, which will follow Matthew through his Invisalign journey capturing his experiences and the transformation of his new smile.
‘I have been treating patients with Invisalign clear aligners for 10 years and in that time have improved the smiles of over 2,000 patients using Invisalign clear aligners,’ said Dr Graham Tinkler.
‘I love the Invisalign system because it makes such a difference in people’s lives, it can be tailored to suit the patient’s needs, and it fits within their lifestyle. Every time the patient sees you they are a bit happier. Patients actually look forward to seeing you!’
‘I really admire the less invasive approach to tooth straightening offered by Invisalign treatment and it was one of the reasons I opted for it’, said Matthew. ‘Dr Tinkler showed me a computer simulation of my tooth movements with Invisalign clear aligners and we discussed various scenarios.’
#4millionsmiles
Starting today, Align Technology would like to invite Invisalign patients and everyone around the world to help a child in need by participating in the ‘Four million smiles’ social media campaign using the dedicated hashtag #4millionsmiles. Each post of a smile with the hashtag #4millionsmiles published on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, will be matched by Align Technology with a donation of $1 to Operation Smile for a total pledge up to $1 million*. The aim of the campaign is to light up the world with smiles and to help deliver as many as 400 healing smile operations through Operation Smile. The campaign will culminate October 7 on World Smile Day, when the #4milionsmiles messages posted from all over the world will light up an interactive Invisalign website.
*Align Technology donation pledge through March 3, 2018. To date, Align has donated US$200 thousand to Operation Smile as part of the #3millionsmiles campaign launched on March 3, 2015 and the #4millionsmiles campaign continues this pledge to Operation Smile. Facebook shares must be made public in order to trigger the donation. Restrictions apply. See the full terms and conditions at Invisalign.com.
About Operation Smile
Operation Smile is an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities. It is one of the oldest and largest volunteer-based organisations dedicated to improving the health and lives of children worldwide through access to surgical care. Since 1982, Operation Smile has developed expertise in mobilizing volunteer medical teams to conduct surgical missions in resource-poor environments while adhering to the highest standards of care and safety. Operation Smile helps to fill the gap in providing access to safe, well-timed surgeries by partnering with hospitals, governments and ministries of health, training local medical personnel, and donating much-needed supplies and equipment to surgical sites around the world. Founded and based in Virginia, U.S., Operation Smile has extended its global reach to more than 60 countries through its network of credentialed surgeons, pediatricians, doctors, nurses, and student volunteers.
