ALGN · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Market Demand Trends

ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC · 2026-11-04 · Importance 25 · Surprise 32

In the third quarter of 2026, Clear Aligner case volume increased 6.6% year over year to 690.6 thousand shipments, including a 7.3% increase in shipments for teens and growing patients. Invisalign-trained doctor submitters rose 3.1% to 90.9 thousand, while utilization increased to 7.6 cases per doctor from 7.3. Management also reported that orthodontic starts had been down for four consecutive years and that starts using wires and brackets increased as clear-aligner demand was affected.

Key facts

• Align believes uncertainty has increased orthodontic starts using wires and brackets instead of clear aligners, most notably in Q2 2025, and that this trend may impede future sales while consumer economic uncertainty persists, especially if discretionary spending is impaired. source
• Align reports patient traffic growth has been uneven and orthodontic starts have been down for four consecutive years. source
• Align’s total number of Invisalign-trained doctor submitters increased 3.1%, from 88.2 thousand in Q3 2025 to 90.9 thousand in Q3 2026. source
• Align’s Clear Aligner case volume for teens and growing patients rose from 256.0 thousand shipments to 274.6 thousand, up 7.3% year over year, in Q3 2026. source
• Align’s total utilization rate increased to 7.6 cases per doctor in Q3 2026 from 7.3 cases per doctor in Q3 2025. source
• Approximately 24 million people worldwide had been treated with Align’s Invisalign system as of September 30, 2026. source