2 dental practices file class-action suit against Align: What dentists need to know

Two dental practices have filed a class-action lawsuit against Align Technology, alleging the company engaged in anticompetitive conduct, according to a Jan. 2 news release from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Here are six things dentists and orthodontists need to know about the lawsuit:

1. The practices claim that the conduct caused those who bought aligners directly from Align to pay more than they should have. 
2. Align has denied the allegations. The court has not determined if Align has done anything wrong.
3. The class action is on behalf of any people or entities based in the U.S. that purchased aligners directly from Align between Jan. 1, 2019, and March 31, 2022. 
4. By doing nothing and staying in the suit, class members may be entitled to money obtained by the plaintiffs through trial or settlement. Class members give up any rights to separately sue Align Technology for the same claims as the class-action lawsuit.
5. Class members can exclude themselves and give up the right to share any money obtained in the lawsuit. Those who opt out retain the right to be a part of another lawsuit that seeks money for legal claims that come out of this class-action lawsuit against Align. 
6. The trial is set to start May 13. There is no guarantee the plaintiffs will win or receive any money from the lawsuit. 

Align provided the following statement to Becker's: "Align believes the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the claims in the lawsuits. Align maintains that its discounts and superior products, technology and service benefit dental practices and patients and are neither anticompetitive nor unlawful. The lawsuits have nothing to do with the clinical effectiveness or safety of Align products and should not prevent doctors or patients from using our clear aligners or scanners. We are proud to be driving the revolution of digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry by helping doctors transform smiles and change lives for millions of people around the world."