Align Technology 2026Q3: Clear aligner shipments 690,635 cases, up 6.6% year-over-year, China drives growth in adolescent cases

Source: Align Technology Q3 2026 Financial Results Report

Invisible aligner shipments of 690,635 cases / Q3 revenue of $1.0148 billion / Invisible aligner business Q3 revenue of $839.3 million

DGN | October 28, 2026, Align Technology announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2026. The company's quarterly revenue was $1.0148 billion (approximately RMB 6.816 billion), up 1.9% year-over-year; invisible aligner shipments were 690,635 cases, up 6.6% year-over-year.

The invisible aligner business generated quarterly revenue of $839.3 million (approximately RMB 5.637 billion), up 4.2% year-over-year, with growth lower than shipment growth. On the earnings call, the company stated that the average selling price (ASP) for invisible aligners was $1,215 (approximately RMB 8,160.55), down 2.3% year-over-year; on a constant currency basis, down 1.8% year-over-year. The company also noted that business growth in relatively lower-priced markets such as China and India, as well as growth in the digital subscription program (DSP) and certain revision cases, affected ASP.

Source: Align Technology Q3 2026 Financial Statements and Historical Data

Asia-Pacific invisible aligner shipments achieved year-over-year growth and double-digit sequential growth. The company stated that growth was driven by an increase in the number of doctors submitting cases and growing demand from younger patients. Among these, Asia-Pacific retail channel shipments grew 16% year-over-year, with retail shipments from both orthodontist and general dentist (GD) customers achieving double-digit growth; adolescent case shipments achieved double-digit year-over-year growth, with the China market being the primary driver.

North America orthodontist channel shipments achieved year-over-year growth for the first time in six quarters, and dental service organization (DSO) channel shipments also achieved double-digit growth.

In addition, the imaging systems and CAD/CAM services business generated quarterly revenue of $175.5 million (approximately RMB 1.179 billion), down 7.6% year-over-year. The company stated that as of the third quarter, cumulative global scanner deployments exceeded 157,000 units, achieving double-digit year-over-year growth.

Regarding the China market, the company stated it will expand private distributor network coverage, increase product penetration in lower-tier cities, expand DSO channels, and drive treatment adoption among pre-adolescent and adolescent patients. The company also plans to improve patient conversion rates in the Japanese market through orthodontist growth programs and advance iTero-related business.

China's oral orthodontics-related volume-based procurement (VBP) was also a topic of discussion on the earnings call. Chief Financial Officer John Morici stated that the company expects to participate when relevant products enter the procurement process in the fourth quarter; currently, approximately 15% of the company's business in China comes from public channels, with the remainder primarily from the private market.

Regarding the potential impact of VBP, management believes that if price changes can improve accessibility of invisible aligners and bring more cases, volume growth may partially offset price changes; the company judges that from an overall revenue perspective, the net impact may be neutral to positive. This judgment is based on management expectations, and actual results remain dependent on policy implementation and market changes.

On the doctor side, approximately 91,000 doctors submitted Invisalign cases in the third quarter, up more than 3% year-over-year, setting a company single-quarter record; doctor case utilization was 7.6 cases per doctor, up 3.4% year-over-year. Zero Additional Aligner business volume grew more than 100% year-over-year. This program allows doctors to pay only for initial aligners, providing greater treatment and pricing flexibility.

Source: Align Technology Q3 2026 Financial Results Report

On profitability, under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the company's third-quarter operating profit was $169.2 million (approximately RMB 1.136 billion), with an operating margin of 16.7%, compared to 9.7% in the same period last year; net income was $135.0 million (approximately RMB 907 million), up 138.0% year-over-year, with diluted earnings per share of $1.90 (approximately RMB 12.76), compared to $0.78 (approximately RMB 5.24) in the same period last year. Quarterly GAAP gross margin was 68.7%.

Under Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Non-GAAP), quarterly operating profit was $247.79 million (approximately RMB 1.664 billion), with an operating margin of 24.4%; net income was $198.9 million (approximately RMB 1.336 billion), up 5.2% year-over-year, with diluted earnings per share of $2.80 (approximately RMB 18.81). Non-GAAP gross margin was 70.4%, flat year-over-year. The UK value-added tax (VAT) matter continued to affect quarterly profit. The company recorded approximately $5.6 million (approximately RMB 37.6124 million) in related contingent losses in the third quarter, having recorded approximately $37.5 million (approximately RMB 252 million) in related losses in the second quarter. The third-quarter accrual adversely affected GAAP operating profit.

Source: Align Technology Q3 2026 Financial Results Report

Regarding business outlook, Align Technology expects fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of $1.000 billion to $1.020 billion (approximately RMB 6.717 billion to 6.851 billion), with invisible aligner shipments growing low single digits year-over-year and ASP declining approximately 1% year-over-year. Full-year revenue is expected to be $4.110 billion to $4.130 billion (approximately RMB 27.605 billion to 27.739 billion); invisible aligner shipments and revenue are both expected to grow approximately 5% to 6% year-over-year, with Non-GAAP operating margin expected at approximately 23.7%. The above data are company forecasts, and actual results are subject to uncertainty.

On products, Align Technology stated it is advancing its next-generation direct manufacturing 3D Printing Material platform, NXT Technology. The company stated that this technology can improve control, consistency, and precision in appliance design and expand personalized design capabilities. The company also plans to launch a pilot in the United States for custom direct 3D printed sports mouthguards, Invisalign Sports Guard.