Align Technology, Inc. is a global medical device company headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1997, the company designs, manufactures, and markets the Invisalign clear aligner system, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry.
The Invisalign system has treated over 21 million patients worldwide through more than 290,000 trained dental professionals. Align employs approximately 21,000 people across operations in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Israel, China, and other countries.
The company trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ALGN. Its manufacturing operations include aligner production in Juarez, Mexico, scanner manufacturing in Israel and China, and treatment planning services in Costa Rica.
Key Stats
- Founded: 1997 in Redwood City, California
- Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Employees: 21,000+ globally
- 2024 Revenue: $4.0 billion
- Patients Treated: 21+ million with Invisalign system
Align Technology History
Align Technology’s journey from a small startup to a global medical device leader spans nearly three decades. Below is a timeline of the company’s major milestones.
Align Technology Competitors
Align Technology operates in the clear aligner and digital dentistry market, competing against several established dental and medical device companies. The clear aligner market has grown increasingly competitive since key Invisalign patents expired in 2017.
Major competitors include traditional orthodontic product manufacturers, direct-to-consumer aligner brands, and dental technology companies. Competition focuses on pricing, treatment capabilities, doctor training programs, and digital workflow integration.
| Company | Primary Product | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Straumann Group (ClearCorrect) | ClearCorrect aligners | Basel, Switzerland |
| Dentsply Sirona | SureSmile aligners, Byte | Charlotte, USA |
| Envista Holdings (Ormco) | Spark Clear Aligners | Brea, USA |
| 3M Company | Clarity Aligners | Maplewood, USA |
| Henry Schein Orthodontics | Reveal Clear Aligners | Melville, USA |
| AngelAlign (China) | AngelAlign clear aligners | Shanghai, China |
| Danaher Corporation | Dental equipment and diagnostics | Washington, D.C., USA |
| uLab Systems | In-office aligner printing | Memphis, USA |
| Candid | CandidPro aligners | New York, USA |
| Zenyum | Zenyum clear aligners | Singapore |
Align Technology Acquisitions
Align Technology has pursued a selective acquisition strategy to expand its digital dentistry platform. The company’s acquisitions focus on complementary technologies that strengthen its end-to-end digital workflow for dental professionals.
In 2011, Align acquired Cadent Holdings for $190 million. Cadent was an Israeli company that manufactured the iTero intraoral scanner and OrthoCAD software products. This acquisition added 3D digital scanning capabilities to Align’s portfolio and allowed doctors to submit Invisalign cases digitally rather than using traditional impressions. The iTero scanner became a key growth driver for the company.
The 2020 acquisition of exocad Global Holdings for approximately €376 million ($420 million) expanded Align’s reach into restorative dentistry. exocad, headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, develops dental CAD/CAM software used by dental labs and practices in over 150 countries. The company had collaborated with Align since 2017 on integrating iTero scanners with exocad’s chairside software. The acquisition brought expertise in implantology, guided surgery, and smile design to Align’s technology portfolio.
In September 2023, Align completed the acquisition of Cubicure GmbH, a Vienna-based 3D printing technology company, for $84.5 million. Cubicure specializes in high-performance polymer materials for 3D printing. This acquisition supports Align’s goal of eventually 3D printing Invisalign clear aligners directly, potentially streamlining its manufacturing process.
Align Technology Co-founders
Zia Chishti
A Pakistani-American entrepreneur and Stanford MBA graduate. Chishti conceived the Invisalign concept while wearing orthodontic retainers as an adult. He served as CEO until 2002 and later founded OrthoClear and The Resource Group (TRG).
Kelsey Wirth
An American entrepreneur with a background in international relations. Wirth partnered with Chishti to launch Align Technology and served as President until 2001. She later transitioned to environmental protection and education advocacy.
Align Technology Revenue
Align Technology has grown from a startup with no revenue to a multi-billion dollar company. The company generates approximately 81% of revenue from its Clear Aligner segment (Invisalign products) and 19% from Imaging Systems and CAD/CAM Services (iTero scanners and exocad software).
Align Technology Marketcap
Align Technology’s market capitalization currently stands at approximately $13.7 billion (February 2026). The company’s valuation has fluctuated considerably over the years, reaching an all-time high of approximately $55 billion in 2021 before declining amid broader market corrections and economic headwinds.
FAQs
Who founded Align Technology?
Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth founded Align Technology in 1997. Chishti conceived the clear aligner concept while wearing orthodontic retainers during his Stanford MBA program.
What products does Align Technology make?
Align Technology manufactures Invisalign clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, Vivera retainers, and exocad CAD/CAM software for dental professionals.
Where is Align Technology headquartered?
Align Technology is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, USA. The company relocated from California and operates facilities in multiple countries including Mexico, Israel, and China.
How many patients has Invisalign treated?
The Invisalign system has treated over 21 million patients worldwide through more than 290,000 trained dental professionals in over 100 countries.
When did Align Technology go public?
Align Technology went public on January 26, 2001, on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol ALGN, raising $130 million through its initial public offering.