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“At the forefront of advancing digital dentistry and orthodontics”

Simon Beard joined Align Technology in 2014. He currently leads the company's market development in the EMEA region. (All images: Align Technology)

Mon. 24. March 2025

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Align Technology has positioned itself as a pivotal participant in the international dental industry. The company, which manufactures Invisalign and owns software pioneer exocad, has a strong focus on the development of digital dental technologies. According to Simon Beard, Align’s executive vice president and managing director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, helping clinicians to understand and adopt the latest digital tools and workflows is a key aspect of the company’s mission. Align’s campaign for the International Dental Show (IDS), which starts tomorrow, is its largest and most immersive to date and aims to empower clinicians to transition to fully digital workflows with CAD/CAM technologies.

Mr Beard, what are Align Technology’s key areas of focus in the EMEA market?
For 15 years, Align Technology has been at the forefront of advancing digital dentistry and orthodontics in the EMEA region. Our focus throughout this time has been the provision of support to general practitioners, orthodontists and dental laboratories in embracing digital technologies. Tools such as the iTero intra-oral scanner are designed as practice-specific solutions, enabling users to streamline workflows and optimise chair time. By simplifying treatment planning and fostering better collaboration between practices and labs, Align Technology helps to improve patient care.

Align Technology introduced its newest intra-oral scanner, the iTero Lumina, last year.

Align Technology introduced its newest intra-oral scanner, the iTero Lumina, last year.

How is Align Technology working to position digital solutions as must-have tools for practices across the EMEA region?
Intra-oral scanners like the iTero Lumina are transforming dental practices by simplifying workflows, speeding up diagnostics and pushing boundaries in imaging precision. More than a scanner, iTero is a comprehensive oral health device which streamlines daily clinical tasks.

Our customers in the region see that the device’s new Multi-Direct Capture technology offers elevated clinical outcomes and that its intuitive user interface and advanced data capture allow for faster scanning capabilities. Align helps dentists to understand how tools like iTero fit into a digital workflow and how they can help dental practices to improve care and stay ahead of the curve.

Align Technology has an impressive portfolio of innovations. Could you highlight some of the biggest advancements?
Innovation is at the heart of what we do. Tools like Invisalign Smile Architect, iTero Design Suite, Align X-ray Insights, NIRI [near-infrared imaging] technology, Invisalign Smile Video and Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro are designed to make clinical work easier. They do this by allowing for better treatment planning, faster workflows and heightened patient engagement.

The Align Oral Health Suite helps dental professionals detect oral health conditions and educate patients through an intuitive, visually engaging interface.

The Align Oral Health Suite helps dental professionals detect oral health conditions and educate patients through an intuitive, visually engaging interface.

What can visitors expect from Align Technology at IDS 2025?
Align Technology will be showcasing the full breadth of our integrated digital solutions. Visitors will be able to see and experience our latest innovations, including Align X-ray Insights. This software is designed to support dentists in diagnosing dental and oral health conditions, standardising analysis, streamlining workflows and improving patient engagement. Also on show will be Smile Architect with the Multi-Treatment Plans tool, a platform that helps patients to visually understand treatment choices and utilises an iTero scanner at chairside for enhanced patient education. Dental professionals will also be introduced to the iTero Design Suite and exocad CAD/CAM software solutions for orthodontic restorations, among others.

In recognition of the importance of patient education and treatment conversion, the Align Technology booth will feature presentations from clinical experts about their experiences in improving patient communication and awareness of the possibilities of digital dental treatment. Additionally, visitors will have the chance to join hands-on demonstrations and hear from digital dentistry leaders such as Drs Luis Ilzarbe, Michaela Sehnert, Andrea Agnini and Ingo Baresel, just to name a few. 

We are excited to demonstrate how the union of Align and exocad empowers dental professionals to deliver exceptional care and how the companies’ digital tools can transform practices from both a clinical and a business perspective.

Editorial note:

Attendees of IDS will have the opportinity to learn more at Align Technology’s booth (A050–C051 and A059) in Hall 1.2. More information can be found at ids-2025.aligntech.com.

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