The president of the American Association of Orthodontists wrote a letter to Align Technology expressing its concerns about ads for the Invisalign Palatal Expander System.
Five notes:
1. The concerns relate to advertisements allegedly depicting traditional palatal expanders as painful and stressful for patients and their families.
2. AAO President John Callahan, DDS, was also concerned with research cited on Align's website in support of its advertisements and statements, which Dr. Callahan said presented conclusions drawn from limited data that can be misleading.
3. Dr. Callahan urged Align to ensure that research and survey data referenced in its marketing materials demonstrate the "hallmarks of scientific reliability."
4. The organization asked that Align Technology consider the impact its advertisements may have on providers who use traditional metal palatal expanders.
"All orthodontic options should be presented to patients in a balanced and truthful manner, allowing them to make informed decisions based on accurate information," Dr. Callahan said in the letter. "Moreover, I am hopeful that it is not Align’s intent to create negative inferences with the general public regarding orthodontists who utilize traditional palatal expanders."
5. The AAO also took issue with requests for providers to promote the advertisements in their practices or online, warning that doing so could lead providers to violate state laws prohibiting dental providers from advertising techniques as "painless" or "less painful."
Becker's has contacted Align Technology for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.