Align Technology, a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign® System of clear aligners, iTero™ intraoral scanners, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, announces that it has received CE Mark in Europe under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745) for Align’s Invisalign® Palatal Expander System. The Invisalign Palatal Expander System has also completed registration with MHRA for the United Kingdom and overseas territories.
Both approvals are for broad patient applicability, including growing children, teens, and adults (with surgery or other techniques).
These approvals mark a significant milestone in Align’s efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and efficiency in orthodontics.
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is a modern and innovative direct 3D printed device based on proprietary and patented technology. Invisalign Palatal Expanders are intended for use in rapid expansion and subsequent holding of skeletal and/or dental narrow maxilla (upper jaw) with primary, mixed, or permanent dentition during treatment of patients.
“The Invisalign Palatal Expander is an example of Align’s continuous commitment to innovative digital orthodontics by delivering products with greater efficiency for doctors and better treatment experiences for young patients,” said Simon Beard, Align Technology executive vice president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “We are thrilled to extend the availability of this transformative alternative to traditional palatal expanders to doctors and their patients across the EMEA region.”
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System consists of a series of removable devices staged in small increments of movement to expand a patient’s narrow maxilla to a position determined by their treating doctor. Each direct 3D printed device is customized to the patient’s unique anatomy based on an iTero™ intraoral digital scan. A palatal expansion treatment plan and device design are then developed using Align’s proprietary orthodontic software.
With Invisalign First™ aligners and Invisalign Palatal Expanders, Align Technology can provide doctors with a full early intervention treatment solution for Phase 1 treatment, an early interceptive orthodontic treatment for young patients. Phase 1 treatment is traditionally done through arch expanders or partial metal braces, before all permanent teeth have erupted – typically at ages 6 through 10. Invisalign First clear aligners are designed specifically to address a broad range of younger patients’ malocclusions, including shorter clinical crowns, management of erupting dentition, and predictable dental arch expansion.
“Phase 1 or early interceptive treatment accounts for 20 percent of orthodontic case starts each year and is growing,” said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align Technology executive vice president, chief clinical officer. “Together with Invisalign First aligners, Invisalign Palatal Expanders enables Align Technology to provide doctors with a solution set to treat the most common skeletal and dental malocclusions in growing children. The addition of mandibular advancement features to Invisalign aligners also provides doctors with more options for treating skeletal and dental jaw imbalances and bite correction for their growing patients during their teenage years.”
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is expected to be commercially available across EMEA in Q1 2025.