Align Technology Awards $165,000 as Part of Its University Research Award Program...

Align Technology Awards $165,000 as Part of Its University Research Award
Program for Clear Aligner Orthodontic Therapy

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 13, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc.
(Nasdaq:ALGN) today announced that a total of $165,000 in scientific research
funding is being awarded to three universities in North America and three
universities internationally for one- and two-year projects seeking to better
understand orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.

"We are extremely pleased to see a growing level of scientific interest in
orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, and excited that we can help support
leading researchers seeking to gain greater insight into the science behind
Invisalign treatment," said Dr. Eric Kuo, Align Technology vice president of
Clinical Technology.

"This is also the first year where participation in Align's research award
program also includes universities outside of North America, which reflects
strong adoption of Invisalign treatment worldwide," said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan,
Align Technology director of Clinical International.

The North America research award recipients for 2011 are:

-- Dr. Sheldon Baumrind and Dr. Heesoo Oh at the University of the Pacific
(San Francisco, CA), $50,000 over two years;
-- Dr. Peter Buschang, Dr. Phillip Campbell, and Dr. Doug Crosby at Baylor
College of Dentistry (Dallas, TX), $25,000 over one year;
-- Dr. Madhur Upadhyay and Dr. Sumit Yadav at the University of Connecticut
(Farmington, CT), $50,000 over two years.

The International research award recipients for 2011 are:

-- Prof. Dr. Athanasios Athanasiou and Dr. Andreas Karamouzos at Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki (Greece), $10,000 over one year;
-- Prof. Dr. Christoph Bourauel, Dr. Ludger Keilig, Dr. Jörg Schwarze,
and Mareike Simon at the University of Bonn (Germany), $20,000 over two
years;
-- Prof. Dr. Luca Levrini, Prof. Dr. Gian Marco Abbate, Dr. Federico
Migliori, and Silvia Margherini at the University of Insubria, Varese
(Italy), $10,000 over one year.

Study proposals approved for funding this year include a periodontal health
evaluation of teenagers treated with Invisalign aligners, an analysis of
treatment changes in adolescent clear aligner patients, a biomechanical
evaluation of clear aligners, an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness
of clear aligner treatment, an evaluation of root resorption and periodontal
status of patients treated with Invisalign aligners, and a color evaluation of
Vivera(R) orthodontic retainers.

Align Technology first announced the Clear Aligner Research Award Program in
2009. Eligible applicants include full- and part-time university faculty
involved in orthodontic scientific research, as well as non-orthodontic
scientists whose work may contribute to the improvement of clear aligner
therapy. Program details and instructions for prospective applicants are
available at www.aligntechinstitute.com/researchawards (for North America) and
www.aligntechinstitute.com/internationalresearch (for International). All
proposals received are reviewed and prioritized by an independent academic
committee. Two-year projects are subject to a committee review of the research
progress achieved before the second year of funding can be approved. The
academic committee chair for 2011 was Dr. Timothy Wheeler, professor and
chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Florida.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary
method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign
corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable
appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does
not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign
significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with
braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align
Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market
Invisalign in 1998.The Invisalign product family includes Invisalign, Invisalign
Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express, and Vivera Retainers.

To learn more about Invisalign or to find an Invisalign trained doctor in your
area, please visit www.invisalign.com.

Cadent Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Align Technology and is a leading
provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry. The
Cadent family of products includes iTero and OrthoCAD iOC scanning systems,
OrthoCADiCast, OrthoCAD iQ and OrthoCAD iRecord. For additional information,
please visit www.cadentinc.com.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact
Yin Cantor
Align Technology, Inc.
(408) 470-1044
ycantor@aligntech.com

Press Contact
Shannon Mangum Henderson
Ethos Communication, Inc.
(678) 261-7803
align@ethoscommunication.com