The Clear Aligner Trend

When Align Technology launched its Invisalign clear aligners in 1999, it transformed the production process by using software to digitally reset the teeth and then printing instead of pouring the models, making the fabrication process faster and more accurate than the traditional method. And, for consumers looking for a more cosmetic alternative to metal braces, they were a hit.

So when several of Align Technology’s patents expired in 2017, new competitors stormed the market. While some companies followed Align’s concept of going direct to the dentist, a new crop of high-tech startups disrupted the market by offering clear aligners with a “direct-to-consumer” business model and options that were less expensive and required fewer dental office visits. In addition, other labs and manufacturers got in on the action, obtaining the required 501(k) and offering aligner fabrication services to other labs.

Another upcoming market disruption: development...