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🇫🇷 France /Economy & Trade

EU launches probe into Invisalign maker over suspected market abuse

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation into Align Technology, the U.S. maker of Invisalign clear dental aligners.
  • The company is suspected of abusing its dominant market position by requiring orthodontists to use its iTero oral scanners when ordering Invisalign aligners.
  • This practice allegedly creates a closed ecosystem, hindering competition in the expanding market for transparent dental aligners.

The European Commission is investigating Align Technology, the American manufacturer behind the popular Invisalign clear dental aligners, over suspected abuse of its dominant market position. The probe aims to determine if the company's practices have unfairly prevented competitors from accessing the rapidly growing market for transparent aligners.

Align Technology, which has held a near-monopoly in the sector since 2017, faces scrutiny for allegedly mandating that orthodontists purchase its iTero oral scanners. This requirement applies even when practitioners use compatible scanning equipment from other providers. These scanners are essential for creating 3D dental impressions used in the manufacturing of the aligners.

European regulators contend that by bundling the sale of scanners with aligners, Align Technology has created a "closed ecosystem." This alleged strategy is seen as an impediment to fair competition, potentially violating European rules against the abuse of dominant market positions. Align Technology, founded nearly 30 years ago, reported $4 billion in revenue in 2025, with over three-quarters derived from its aligner products. The California-based group states it has treated over 22 million patients globally with its devices.

This creates a closed ecosystem around Invisalign.

— European CommissionDescribing the alleged anticompetitive practice.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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