Align™ Innovations

Little smiles. Big results.
More treatment options for your smallest patients.

Expanded opportunities with kids and teens

  • Invisalign® Palatal Expander (IPE) with hooks
  • IPE Visualization Tools
  • Invisalign First™ (now with Flex Rx)
Align Innovations

Explore new options designed to treat patients with primary and mixed dentition.

Invisalign® Palatal Expander (NOW with Hooks!)

First, we introduced a revolutionary, clinically-effective1 approach to expansion that avoids the challenges of traditional palatal expander appliances with our Invisalign Palatal Expander System. Now we’re adding an integrated, innovatively designed, forward (01) and backward (02) facing hook feature that is compatible with elastics* to broaden the types of cases you can treat with the Invisalign Palatal Expander System.

*Elastics are not supplied/provided by Align Technology, Inc.

Invisalign® Palatal Expander (NOW with Hooks!)
100% of surveyed Invisalign trained orthodontists agree that Phase 1 patients who were treated with IPE had a positive experience.2
Key features
  • 3D Printed from the same material and integrated into the IPE device at no additional cost
  • Designed to support up to 16 oz elastics per side.
  • Can be used on all stages of primary and/or secondary orders of expanders and holders by simply clicking a button in ClinCheck.
A hook for each class type

Hook configuration must be specified in the Invisalign Palatal Expander System prescription; either forward-facing (for example to support Class II inter-arch treatment) or backward- facing (for example to support skeletal Class III treatment.)

“The Invisalign Palatal Expander with hooks not only separates the midpalatal suture, but it also disarticulates the maxilla, which allows us to protract the maxilla forward in a skeletal class 3 growth modification treatment.”

– Dr. Sandra Tai | Richmond, BC
Dr. Sandra Tai

IPE Expansion Visualization

Thoughtfully designed expansion visualization feature enables dynamic visualization of molar-to-molar relationships and real-time adjustments when prescribing upper arch expansion.

IPE Expansion Visualization
100% of surveyed Invisalign trained orthodontists agree that Phase 1 patients who were treated with IPE had a positive experience.1
Key benefits
  • View 2D cross-section of the upper and lower first permanent molars and see final position of the lower first permanent molars and cusp-to-cusp position.
  • Modify expansion plans based on doctor’s preferences using a simple slider
  • Set-up, visualize and adjust upper arch expansion directly within the IPE prescription  form for a seamless workflow.
Eruption compensation

Broaden dental case applicability to accept IPE cases with missing Ds / erupting 4s, whether in a single quadrant or both, by incorporating an eruption compensation feature.

  • Available on primary & secondary orders
  • Missing D/ erupting 4 in the left quadrant
  • Missing D/ erupting 4 in the right quadrant

“We use the IPE expander over lower Invisalign First …  I love this because I found that it really allows me to maximize the expansion that I need on the upper arch, as well as know that I'm getting a predictable result in the finish.”

– Dr. Jacquee Schieck | Northfield, MN
Dr. Martin Avey

Invisalign First (NOW with FlexRx)

Invisalign First is the first clear aligner system designed specifically for children with mixed dentition. The system is designed to provide predictable dental arch expansion while supporting short crowns or erupting teeth.

Learn more
Invisalign First
  • Invisalign First aligners are:
  • Designed to treat a broad range of teeth straightening issues in growing children, from simple to complex, including crowding, spacing, and narrow dental arches.
  • Removable for easy hygiene, making it easier for growing children to brush and floss.
  • Designed for comfort – which means no discomfort from rubbing brackets or poking wires.
Now simplified with Flex Rx
  • Single webpage with all case options.
  • Optimized from 10 pages to 1, providing you more time savings.
  • Allows you to apply case-specific clinical preferences.

“Invisalign First and IPE have been a great hit in my practice, it transformed my practice into a drama free environment to treat small kids ... age 7 to 10.”

– Dr. Adriana Da Silveira | Austin, TX
Dr. Adriana Da Silveira
logo
See more 2026 Align Innovations
Dr. Kent Morris Play video

Innovator Spotlight

Dr. Kent Morris

“In my office, we actually show both the traditional expander and the Invisalign Palatal Expander...When I show them the efficiency [of] the Invisalign Palatal Expander, they almost always choose that.”

Hear from Dr. Morris, the first to perform 500 Invisalign® Palatal Expander cases, about how new innovations like hooks and visualization tools help him serve his patients.

Watch now

Upcoming Align Education Events

Virtual
oct 14
Clinical Mgmt of Class III Malocclusions with Clear Aligners
Register Blue Arrow Bubble
On-site
oct 16 | new york, ny
Invisalign Treatment Planning Workshop for Pediatrics
Register Blue Arrow Bubble
On-site
oct 23 | Minneapolis, MN
Invisalign Treatment Planning Workshop for Pediatrics
Register Blue Arrow Bubble
On-site
nov 6 | raleigh, nc
Invisalign Treatment Planning Workshop for Pediatrics
Register Blue Arrow Bubble
On-site
nov 13 | dallas, tx
Invisalign Treatment Planning Workshop for Pediatrics
Register Blue Arrow Bubble
On-Demand
Part 1: Build Confidence with Invisalign Treatment for Growing Patients
Watch now Blue Arrow Bubble
On-Demand
Part 2: Build Confidence with Invisalign Treatment for Growing Patients
Watch now Blue Arrow Bubble
On-Demand
Invisalign Treatment and Digital Scanning in a Pediatric Practice
 
Watch now Blue Arrow Bubble

Additional Resources

Treating bilateral posterior crossbite and anterior open bite with IPE
Download whitepaper Blue Arrow Bubble
Phase 1 orthodontic treatment using IPE and Invisalign First aligners
Download whitepaper Blue Arrow Bubble
Clinical rationale and protocol for skeletal expansion with IPE in growing patients
Download whitepaper Blue Arrow Bubble
1 Based on data from a multi-site US IDE (Investigational Device Exemption) clinical study (n=29 subjects, ages 7-10 years) of expansion treatment with Invisalign® Palatal Expanders. Data on file at Align Technology, as of October 30, 2023.
2 Based on the survey in August 2023 in CAN of 10 Invisalign trained orthodontists who participated in the Invisalign® Palatal Expander System Technical Design Assessment and have treated at least 1 patient age 6-11 years with IPE, who responded to the question: “Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “Patients who were treated with Invisalign® Palatal Expander had a positive treatment experience.* Agreement scale is 1-4 with 1 being “strongly disagree” and 4 being “strongly agree”. Data on file at Align Technology, as of October 30, 2023.