At The Junction Family Dental in Brooklyn, we love sharing good news that directly helps our patients achieve healthier, straighter smiles. On June 1, 2026, Align Technology announced it is awarding $300,000 in research grants to universities around the world through its Annual Research Award Program. This marks the 15th year of supporting independent studies that make clear aligners even more effective for families right here in Brooklyn.
As your dentist in Brooklyn, we stay current with these advancements so we can offer the best possible care using Invisalign and other clear aligners. The funded research focuses on everyday questions that affect real patients like the children, teens, and adults who visit our comfortable Brooklyn office every day.
What Are Researchers Studying?
The 2026 grants support practical topics that can improve treatment at The Junction Family Dental, including:
- Apical root resorption during anterior tooth retraction, helping us understand and minimize any risks to tooth roots
- Early versus late restoration of maxillary laterals during aligner treatment
- Performance of the Invisalign Palatal Expander compared with traditional expanders for children in mixed dentition
- White spot lesion activity between traditional braces and clear aligners Brooklyn patients often prefer
- Long-term stability of alignment with different retention protocols so smiles stay straight for years
- Anterior tooth movement using lingual versus buccal attachments
- Characteristics of enamel during aligner treatment examined under advanced microscopy
Each study is chosen through a careful blind review by an independent academic committee, guaranteeing trustworthy, high-quality results we can confidently apply for our Brooklyn neighbors.
Why This Matters to Our Brooklyn Patients
Clear aligner treatment has improved dramatically, and research like this is a major reason why. At The Junction Family Dental, these studies translate into real benefits for local families:
- More Predictable Results — Enhanced data on tooth movement leads to even more accurate planning with our iTero digital scans.
- Improved Comfort and Safety — Findings on root health, enamel protection, and white spot prevention help us reduce side effects for your children and teens.
- Faster Innovations — Clinical evidence shapes better materials, smarter expanders, and optimized protocols we can offer right here in Brooklyn.
- Evidence-Based Confidence — You can trust your treatment is backed by solid science, not just trends.
As Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align’s Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, stated: “Research and clinical evidence continue to be at the core of advancing science, which furthers innovation and clinical treatments.”
The Bigger Picture for Brooklyn Families
Align Technology has already helped treat over 22 million patients worldwide with Invisalign. This ongoing investment shows a deep commitment to making clear aligner therapy reliable, comfortable, and accessible for everyone from school-aged kids in Park Slope to busy adults in Prospect Heights.
Here at The Junction Family Dental, we bring that same commitment to our community. Our warm, family-focused practice combines advanced digital planning, comfortable SmartTrack material, and the latest research-backed approaches to create beautiful smiles without the look of traditional braces. Whether you are considering clear aligners for yourself or your child, we make the process simple, supportive, and local.
Ready to explore how these exciting advancements can work for your family? Schedule a consultation with The Junction Family Dental, your dentist in Brooklyn. Our team will perform a complete exam, take a free iTero scan to preview your future smile, and explain how research-driven Invisalign and clear aligners can meet your goals.
Call The Junction Family Dental in Brooklyn today at (718) 444-6226 or visit us online to book your appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental office and helping you achieve the confident, healthy smile you deserve.
THE JUNCTION Family Dental, Orthodontics in Brooklyn