By Dentistry Today Staff
The digital dentistry revolution is transforming not just workflows but global access to care. With this in mind—and with today being World Oral Health Day—Align Technology is highlighting the importance of improving global oral health.
Align’s AI-integrated offerings and advancements in 3D printing technology are helping address the global malocclusion crisis, which affects 60% to 75% of the world’s population and is often viewed as cosmetic despite links to broader health issues.
“More than 75 percent of adults have some sort of tooth misalignment, and many don’t even realize it. This can include common issues like crowding, spacing, overbites, overjets, open bites, or variations in dental arch widths,” said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, executive vice president, chief clinical officer, global treatment planning and clinical services at Align Technology.
“While misaligned teeth can cause uncomfortable symptoms like tooth sensitivity or jaw pain, they can also contribute to broader oral health concerns over time. These can include premature tooth wear, gingival recession, and possibly tooth loss. Properly aligned teeth make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene because brushing and flossing can reach more surfaces of the teeth and gumline. Aligning your bite can also reduce uneven pressure on teeth, which may help prevent more complex or costly dental procedures in the future.”
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners (Align Technology) were designed to reduce health risks linked to poor oral health. Misaligned and crowded teeth can trap plaque and bacteria, increasing the likelihood of gum disease, tooth decay or loss, and inefficient digestion. Left untreated, gum disease has been associated with broader health concerns. In fact, according to a 2025 study by the American Academy of Neurology, people with both gum disease and cavities faced an 86% greater chance of having a stroke compared to those with healthy mouths.
Invisalign treatment supports improved oral health. From the first visit with an Invisalign-trained doctor, oral health is central to the treatment process.
“Treatment begins with a 3D digital scan of the patient’s teeth using an iTero intraoral scanner, which provides clinical insights that help doctors identify early signs of oral health issues such as inter-proximal cavities between teeth, tooth wear, gum recession, and bite alignment issues,” Dr. Derakhshan added. “Invisalign treatment is an option to straighten teeth or improve bite issues, and because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, patients can continue their normal brushing and flossing routines throughout treatment, which helps maintain good oral hygiene that is difficult to achieve with traditional brackets and wires.
“We are continually innovating and expanding the Align Digital Platform, a unique combination of software, systems, and services designed to provide more effective and pleasant experiences for patients, consumers, doctors, and labs. Features like Invisalign Virtual Care provide automated assessments and patient progress reports, and our AI models help to determine factors like aligner fit and attachment detection, to provide continuity of care and enhanced monitoring of oral health during treatment.”
World Oral Health Day is recognized each year on March 20 and aims to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.
