Align Technology has officially launched its Invisalign Palatal Expander System in Hong Kong, expanding access to this innovative product across a broad range of patients, including children, teenagers, and adults. The system is designed to accommodate various patient needs, with options for surgical and non-surgical applications.
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is a cutting-edge, direct 3D-printed device, developed using proprietary, patented technology. It aims to facilitate the rapid expansion and stabilization of a narrow upper jaw (maxilla), accommodating primary, mixed, or permanent dentition during orthodontic treatment. “The Invisalign Palatal Expander System exemplifies our commitment to advancing digital orthodontics with innovative solutions that enhance patient treatment experiences,” said David Carr, Align Technology’s executive vice president and managing director for the Asia Pacific region. “We are excited to extend the availability of the transformative Invisalign Palatal Expander System, Align’s first direct 3D-printed orthodontic appliance, to even more doctors and their patients across the Asia Pacific region.”
The system operates through a series of removable devices that gradually widen a patient’s maxilla. Each device is precisely tailored to the patient’s unique anatomical features, based on digital scans obtained using the iTero intraoral scanner. A customized treatment plan and device design are created using Align’s proprietary AI-driven orthodontic software.
Align has integrated the Invisalign Palatal Expander System with Invisalign First aligners, offering a comprehensive early intervention solution for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment. Phase 1, which typically targets children aged 6 to 10, involves early interceptive treatment using devices like arch expanders or partial braces to address malocclusions before all permanent teeth emerge. Invisalign First aligners are specially designed to address various issues, including short clinical crowns, management of erupting teeth, and predictable arch expansion.
“Early interceptive treatment, or Phase 1, accounts for 20% of orthodontic cases each year, and this number is growing,” explained Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align Technology’s executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “Together with Invisalign First aligners, the Invisalign Palatal Expander System provides doctors with a robust solution to treat common skeletal and dental issues in growing children. Additionally, the integration of mandibular advancement features into Invisalign aligners offers more options for treating jaw imbalances and bite correction in teenagers.”
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is already available in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, and Align Technology plans to expand its reach to other Asia-Pacific markets later in 2024, pending regulatory approvals.
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