Invisalign was the first clear aligner system for orthodontic correction, and this treatment has been around for about 20 years. At Honest Teeth, we love Invisalign and many patients ask about the history of this revolutionary treatment. Here’s everything you need to know about Invisalign and its space in modern dentistry:
The Man Behind Invisalign – Zia Chishti
The man who invented Invisalign wasn’t a dentist at all! His name was Zia Chishti, and he majored in Computer Science and Economics at Columbia University, then went to Stanford to complete his MBA. During his post-graduate years, he underwent orthodontic treatment with braces.
During his treatment with metal braces, he envisioned clear, removable plastic appliances that would allow patients to shift their teeth without highly visible braces. He worked on this project in his dorm room, eventually creating the first version of what would become Invisalign.
The History Of Invisalign – From Early Beginnings To Today
Along with three other students, he refined the product further, and Invisalign began in 1997 with the founding of Align Technology, LTD.
The devices were approved by the FDA in 1998, and Invisalign hit the market. By 2000, the company had raised more than $140 million in venture capital. By January 2001, the company was valued at more than $1 billion on the NASDAQ.
Over the last two decades, Invisalign products have been refined, with new treatments like Invisalign Express 10, Invisalign G3 and G4, and Invisalign Express 5. In 2007, the Academy of General Dentistry approved Align Technology’s PACE (Program Approval for Continuing Education) program, and the company founded the AlignTech Institute, which provides education and resources for dentists using Invisalign. Today, Invisalign is still the most popularly-used system of clear plastic aligners on the market.
See If Invisalign Is Right For You – Come To Honest Teeth Today!
Want to learn more about Invisalign treatment, and see if this revolutionary alternative to braces is right for you? To learn more and get started, contact the team at Honest Teeth today! You can give us a call at (262) 784-7770, or stop by our office at 15255 Watertown Plank Road, Suite 100, Elm Grove, WI 53122. Dr. Meinerz and Dr. Krueger are always accepting new patients, and we’d love to meet you and help you learn more about orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.