Align Technology (ALGN) 10-Q 1 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Symbol	'ALGN	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001097149	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	80,318,743

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Net revenues	$164,506	[1]	$136,496	[1]	$481,914	[1]	$417,201	[1]
Cost of net revenues	39,416		36,146		120,284		107,291
Gross profit	125,090		100,350		361,630		309,910
Operating expenses:	'		'		'		'
Sales and marketing	45,224		36,468		135,352		114,272
General and administrative	27,487		24,762		84,862		71,294
Research and development	10,915		9,952		33,113		31,158
Impairment of goodwill	0		24,665		40,693		24,665
Asset Impairment Charges	0		0		26,320		0
Total operating expenses	83,626		95,847		320,340		241,389
Profit from operations	41,464		4,503		41,290		68,521
Interest and other income (expense), net	449		-353		-874		-624
Net profit before provision for income taxes	41,913		4,150		40,416		67,897
Provision for income taxes	7,376		4,494		18,542		18,765
Net profit (loss)	$34,537		($344)		$21,874		$49,132
Net profit (loss) per share:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in usd per share)	$0.43		$0		$0.27		$0.61
Diluted (in usd per share)	$0.42		$0		$0.26		$0.59
Shares used in computing net profit (loss) per share:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in shares)	79,967		81,437		80,592		80,356
Diluted (in shares)	81,848		81,437		82,549		83,016
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	17.60%		45.90%		108.30%		27.60%
[1]	.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net profit (loss)	$34,537	($344)	$21,874	$49,132
Foreign currency translation adjustments	171	248	109	-108
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	203	73	20	43
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)	374	321	129	-65
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$34,911	($23)	$22,003	$49,067

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$175,839	$306,386
Marketable securities, short-term	147,740	28,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, credit reserves and returns of $1,724 and $3,167, respectively	109,179	98,992
Inventories	14,662	15,122
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	34,839	36,808
Total current assets	482,259	485,793
Marketable securities, long-term	76,836	21,252
Property, plant and equipment, net	76,552	79,191
Goodwill	61,745	99,236
Intangible assets, net	24,362	45,777
Deferred tax assets	28,822	21,609
Other assets	8,630	3,454
Total assets	759,206	756,312
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	19,157	19,549
Accrued liabilities	73,714	74,247
Deferred revenues	70,397	61,975
Total current liabilities	163,268	155,771
Other long-term liabilities	20,254	19,224
Total liabilities	183,522	174,995
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value (5,000 shares authorized; none issued)	0	0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value (200,000 shares authorized; 80,114 and 80,611 issued and outstanding at 2013 and 2012, respectively)	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	713,676	670,732
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	332	203
Accumulated deficit	-138,332	-89,626
Total stockholders' equity	575,684	581,317
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$759,206	$756,312

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts and returns	$1,101	$2,484
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	81,114	80,611
Common stock, shares outstanding	81,114	80,611

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net profit (loss)	$21,874	$49,132
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Deferred taxes	14,501	13,165
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	12,647	12,544
Stock-based compensation	21,265	15,504
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	-21,849	-18,140
Impairment of goodwill	40,693	24,665
Asset Impairment Charges	26,320	0
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	1,200	2,660
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	0	80
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-5,936	-17,352
Inventories	467	-5,735
Prepaid expenses and other assets	256	-1,620
Accounts payable	-318	-3,888
Accrued and other long-term liabilities	-671	-669
Deferred revenues	8,415	12,674
Net cash provided by operating activities	118,864	83,020
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-7,652	0
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-15,172	-31,485
Purchase of marketable securities	-213,990	-53,862
Maturities of marketable securities	32,229	16,067
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	6,943	1,296
Other assets	-2,347	2,336
Net cash used in investing activities	-199,989	-65,648
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	28,291	40,194
Common stock repurchase	-95,105	-9,796
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	21,849	18,140
Employees' taxes paid upon the vesting of restricted stock units	-3,931	-1,719
Other payments for financing activities	-6	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	-48,902	46,819
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-520	41
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-130,547	64,232
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	306,386	240,675
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$175,839	$304,907

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of presentation
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Align Technology, Inc. (“we”, “our”, or “Align”) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and contain all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our financial position as of September 30, 2013 and our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from the December 31, 2012 audited financial statements. Net revenues by geographic area for prior period amounts in Note 13 have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on our financial position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or any other future period, and we make no representations related thereto. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Items 7, 7A and 8, respectively, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of America (“U.S.”) requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the fair values of financial instruments, long-lived assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and contingent liabilities, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")”. This standard requires reporting, in one place, information about reclassifications out of AOCI by component. An entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount is reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified to net income in their entirety, an entity is required to cross-reference to other currently required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The information required by this standard must be presented in one place, either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements by income statement line item or in a note. The adoption of this guidance during our first quarter of 2013 did not have a material impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)." The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on the financial statements presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward with certain exceptions, in which case such an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability. The amendments in this ASU do not require new recurring disclosures and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

Marketable_Securities_and_Fair

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements
	Our short-term and long-term marketable securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
	Short-term
	September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	32,439	$	16	$	(6	)	$	32,449
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	15,728		5		(3		)	15,730
	Commercial paper	57,906		16		(1		)	57,921
	Municipal securities	1,150		—		(1		)	1,149
	U.S. government agency bonds	37,474		13		—			37,487
	Asset-backed securities	3,005		—		(1		)	3,004
	Total Marketable Securities, Short-Term	$	147,702	$	50	$	(12	)	$	147,740
	Long-term
	September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	19,836	$	6	$	(20	)	$	19,822
	U.S. government agency bonds	6,148		5		—			6,153
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	16,169		12		(2		)	16,179
	U.S. government treasury bonds	11,274		4		—			11,278
	Municipal securities	14,252		17		(12		)	14,257
	Asset-backed securities	9,150		1		(4		)	9,147
	Total Marketable Securities, Long-Term	$	76,829	$	45	$	(38	)	$	76,836
	Short-term
	December 31, 2012	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	18,767	$	7	$	(4	)	$	18,770
	Commercial paper	4,646		1		—			4,647
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	5,060		9		(1		)	5,068
	Total Marketable Securities, Short-Term	$	28,473	$	17	$	(5	)	$	28,485
	Long-term
	31-Dec-12	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	16,132	$	16	$	(7	)	$	16,141
	U.S. government agency bonds	2,069		1		—			2,070
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	3,038		4		(1		)	3,041
	Total Marketable Securities, Long-Term	$	21,239	$	21	$	(8	)	$	21,252
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, realized losses were immaterial. Unrealized gains and losses for our available for sale securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were also immaterial. Cash and cash equivalents are not included in the table above as the gross unrealized gains and losses are not material. We have no material short-term or long-term investments that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than twelve months as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Amounts reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income related to unrealized gain or losses were immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Our fixed-income securities investment portfolio consists of corporate bonds, U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds, commercial paper, municipal securities, U.S. government agency bonds and asset-backed securities that have a maximum maturity of two years. The securities that we invest in are generally deemed to be low risk based on their credit ratings from the major rating agencies. The longer the duration of these securities, the more susceptible they are to changes in market interest rates and bond yields. As interest rates increase, those securities purchased at a lower yield show a mark-to-market unrealized loss. The unrealized losses are due primarily to changes in credit spreads and interest rates. We expect to realize the full value of all these investments upon maturity or sale. The weighted average remaining duration of these securities was approximately 8 months and 10 months as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	As the carrying value approximates the fair value for our short-term and long-term marketable securities shown in the tables above, the following table summarizes the fair value of our short-term and long-term marketable securities classified by maturity as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Due in one year or less	$	147,740	$	28,485
	Due in one to two years	76,836		21,252
	Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	$	224,576	$	49,737
	Fair Value Measurements
	We measure the fair value of our cash equivalents and marketable securities as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use the GAAP fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Our Level 1 assets consist of money market funds, commercial paper and U.S. government treasury bonds. We did not hold any Level 1 liabilities as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Our Level 2 assets consist of commercial paper, corporate bonds, U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds, U.S. government agency bonds, municipal securities, asset-backed securities and our Israeli severance funds that are mainly invested in insurance policies. We obtain fair values for level 2 investments from our asset manager for each of our portfolios. Our custody bank and asset managers independently use professional pricing services to gather pricing data which may include quoted market prices for identical or comparable financial instruments, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly, and we are ultimately responsible for these underlying estimates.
	We did not hold any Level 2 liabilities as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques, as well as significant management judgment or estimation.
	We did not hold any Level 3 assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we recorded an impairment charge to our long-lived assets and goodwill of $26.3 million and $40.7 million, respectively, related to our Scanner and CAD/CAM Services ("SCCS") reporting unit as an event occurred and circumstances changed that led us to perform an impairment analysis prior to our annual test which required us to determine the fair value of the SCCS reporting unit (Refer to Note 5). These fair value measurements were calculated using unobservable inputs, using the income approach which is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Inputs for the income approach includes the amount and timing of future cash flows based on our most recent operational budgets, strategic plans, terminal growth rates assumptions and other estimates.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
		September 30, 2013		Active  Markets for		Observable  Inputs
		Identical Assets		(Level 2)
		(Level 1)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	77,484	$	77,484	$	—
Commercial paper	13,247		—		13,247
Short-term investments:
Commercial paper	57,921		—		57,921
Corporate bonds	32,449		—		32,449
U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	15,730		—		15,730
Municipal securities	1,149		—		1,149
U.S. government agency bonds	37,487		—		37,487
Asset-backed securities	3,004		—		3,004
Long-term investments:
Corporate bonds	19,822		—		19,822
U.S. government agency bonds	6,153		—		6,153
U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	16,179		—		16,179
U.S. government treasury bonds	11,278		11,278		—
Municipal securities	14,257		—		14,257
Asset-backed securities	9,147		—		9,147
Other assets:
Israeli severance funds	2,422		—		2,422
	$	317,729	$	88,762	$	228,967
The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
	December 31, 2012		Active  Markets for		Observable  Inputs
			Identical Assets		(Level 2)
			(Level 1)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	86,166	$	86,166	$	—
Commercial paper	950		—		950
Short-term investments:
Commercial paper	4,647		—		4,647
Corporate bonds	18,770		—		18,770
U.S. government agency bonds	5,068		—		5,068
Long-term investments:
U.S. government agency bonds	2,070		—		2,070
Corporate bonds	16,141		—		16,141
U.S. dollar denominated foreign corporate bonds	3,041		—		3,041
Other assets:
Israeli severance funds	2,218		—		2,218
	$	139,071	$	86,166	$	52,905

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Balance Sheet Components	'
	Balance Sheet Components
	Inventories
	Inventories are comprised of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Raw materials	$	6,779		$	7,629
	Work in process	3,474			3,889
	Finished goods	4,409			3,604
	Total Inventories	$	14,662		$	15,122
	Work in process includes costs to produce our clear aligner and intra-oral products. Finished goods primarily represent our intra-oral scanners and ancillary products that support our clear aligner products.
	Accrued liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	38,270		$	39,621
	Accrued sales rebates	9,383			8,333
	Accrued sales tax and value added tax	5,341			5,253
	Accrued sales and marketing expenses	3,868			4,088
	Accrued warranty	3,806			4,050
	Accrued accounts payable	3,915			2,866
	Accrued professional fees	1,485			2,349
	Accrued income taxes	1,317			572
	Other accrued liabilities	6,329			7,115
	Total Accrued Liabilities	$	73,714		$	74,247
	Warranty
	We regularly review and update the accrued warranty balances and update these balances based on historical warranty trends. Actual warranty costs incurred have not materially differed from those accrued; however, future actual warranty costs could differ from the estimated amounts.
	Clear Aligner
	We warrant our Invisalign products against material defects until the Invisalign case is complete. We accrue for warranty costs in cost of net revenues upon shipment of products. The amount of accrued estimated warranty costs is primarily based on historical experience as to product failures as well as current information on replacement costs.
	Scanners
	We warrant our scanners for a period of one year from the date of training and installation. We accrue for these warranty costs which includes materials and labor based on estimated historical repair costs. Extended service packages may be purchased for additional fees.
	The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,050		$	3,177
	Charged to cost of net revenues	2,813			3,647
	Actual warranty expenditures	(3,057		)	(2,694		)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,806		$	4,130

Business_Combinations_Notes

Business Combinations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure	'
	Business Combinations
	On April 30, 2013, we completed the acquisition of ICA Holdings Pty Limited ("ICA") upon the expiration of the distribution agreement between certain subsidiaries of ICA and Align Technology B.V., for a total cash consideration of approximately $8.6 million, of which $7.4 million was attributed to assets acquired, $2.3 million in liabilities assumed and $3.5 million to goodwill. Goodwill as a result of this acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the underlying net assets acquired and represents the knowledge and experience of the workforce in place.  None of this goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. Under the applicable accounting guidance, goodwill will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if certain indicators are present.
	We believe that the transition from our distributor arrangement to a direct sales model as a result of the acquisition of ICA will increase our net revenues in the region as we will experience higher average selling price(s) (“ASP”) as compared to our discounted ASP under the prior distribution agreement.
	Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented as it is not material to our results of operations, either individually or in aggregate, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Long-lived Assets
	Goodwill
	The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 by our reportable segments, which are also our reporting units, is as follows (in thousands):
		Clear Aligner				SCCS				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	58,543			$	40,693			$	99,236
	Goodwill from ICA acquisition	3,509				—				3,509
	Impairment of goodwill	—				(40,693		)		(40,693		)
	Adjustments 1	(307		)		—				(307		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	61,745			$	—			$	61,745
	1 The adjustments to goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were due to foreign currency translation.
	Impairment of Goodwill
	We test our goodwill balances for impairment annually on November 30th or more frequently if indicators are present or circumstances change that suggest it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. During March 2013, changes in the competitive environment for intra-oral scanners, including announcements from our competitors of new low-priced scanners targeted at orthodontists and general practitioner dentists in North America, that caused us to lower our expectations for growth and profitability for our SCCS reporting unit. As a result, we determined that goodwill for our SCCS reporting unit should be tested for impairment as of March 2013 due to these facts and circumstances which would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our SCCS reporting unit below its carrying amount.
	We performed a step one analysis for our SCCS reporting unit which consists of a comparison of the fair value of the SCCS reporting unit against its carrying amount, including the goodwill allocated to it. In deriving the fair value of the SCCS reporting unit, we utilized the income approach which is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. This approach provides an estimated fair value based on discounted expected future cash flows, which are based on management's estimates of revenue growth rates and operating margins, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used is based on a weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with the characteristics of the business and the projected cash flows.
	As a result of our step one analysis, we concluded that the fair value of the SCCS reporting unit was less than its carrying value; therefore, we proceeded to step two of the goodwill impairment analysis. Step two of the goodwill impairment analysis measures the impairment charge by allocating the reporting unit's fair value to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit in a hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. This allocation process was performed only for the purposes of measuring the goodwill impairment and not to adjust the carrying values of the recognized tangible assets and liabilities. Any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is recorded as an impairment loss. Based on our analysis, there was no implied goodwill for the SCCS reporting unit; therefore, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $40.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, which represents the remaining goodwill balance in the SCCS reporting unit. None of the goodwill impairment charge was deductible for tax purposes.
	Long-lived Assets
	Impairment of Long-lived Assets
	We amortize our intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. We evaluate long-lived assets, which includes property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying value is not recoverable if it exceeds the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Our estimates of future cash flows attributable to our long-lived assets require significant judgment based on our historical and anticipated results and are subject to many factors. Factors we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include significant negative industry or economic trends, significant loss of customers and changes in the competitive environment of our intra-oral scanning business.
	During March 2013, changes in the competitive environment for intra-oral scanners, including announcements from our competitors of new low-priced scanners targeted at orthodontists and general practitioner dentists in North America, that caused us to lower our expectations for growth and profitability for our SCCS reporting unit. As a result, we determined that the carrying value of the SCCS long-lived assets was not recoverable as compared to the value of the undiscounted cash flows of our revised projections for the asset group. In order to determine the impairment amount of our long-lived assets, we fair valued each key component of our long-lived assets within the asset group, which involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions including replacement costs, revenue growth rates, operating margins, and plant and equipment cost trends. We determined our long-lived asset group within the SCCS reporting unit to be primarily finite-lived intangible assets, plant and equipment. Upon completion of this analysis, we recorded a total impairment charge of $26.3 million of which $19.3 million represented the impairment related to our SCCS intangible assets and $7.0 million related to plant and equipment.
	Intangible assets arising either as a direct result from the Cadent acquisition or individually acquired are being amortized as follows (in thousands):
		Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Carrying Amount as of				Accumulated				Accumulated			Net Carrying
				September 30, 2013				Amortization				Impairment Loss			Value as of
															30-Sep-13
	Trademarks	15		$	7,100			$	(1,069	)		$	(4,179	)	$	1,852
	Existing technology	13		12,600				(2,109		)		(4,328		)	6,163
	Customer relationships	11		33,500				(6,657		)		(10,751		)	16,092
	Other	7		285				(30		)		—			255
				$	53,485			$	(9,865	)		$	(19,258	)	$	24,362
		Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Net Carrying
				Amount as of				Amortization				Value as of
				31-Dec-12								December 31, 2012
	Trademarks	15		$	7,100			$	(895	)		$	6,205
	Existing technology	13		12,600				(1,642		)		10,958
	Customer relationships	11		33,500				(5,002		)		28,498
	Other	8		125				(9		)		116
				$	53,325			$	(7,548	)		$	45,777
	The total estimated annual future amortization expense for these acquired intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
	Remainder of 2013	$	662
	2014	2,635
	2015	2,629
	2016	2,629
	2017	2,629
	Thereafter	13,178
	Total	$	24,362

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Credit Facilities	'
	Credit Facilities
	On March 22, 2013, we entered into a credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank. The credit facility provides for a $50.0 million revolving line of credit, with a $10.0 million letter of credit sublimit, and has a maturity date on March 22, 2016. The credit facility also requires us to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $50.0 million and comply with specific financial conditions and performance requirements. The loans bear interest, at our option, at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the daily one-month adjusted LIBOR rate plus a spread of 1.75% or an adjusted LIBOR rate (based on one, three, six or twelve-month interest periods) plus a spread of 1.75%. As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding borrowings under this credit facility and were in compliance with the conditions and performance requirements.

Legal_Proceedings_Notes

Legal Proceedings (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings [Text Block]	'
	Legal Proceedings
	Securities Class Action Lawsuit
	On November 28, 2012, plaintiff City of Dearborn Heights Act 345 Police & Fire Retirement System filed a lawsuit against Align, Thomas M. Prescott (“Mr. Prescott”), Align's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Kenneth B. Arola (“Mr. Arola”), Align's former Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock (the "Securities Action"). On July 11, 2013, an amended complaint was filed, which names the same defendants, on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock between January 31, 2012 and October 17, 2012. The amended complaint alleges that Align, Mr. Prescott and Mr. Arola violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and that Mr. Prescott and Mr. Arola violated Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Specifically, the amended complaint alleges that during the purported class period defendants failed to take an appropriate goodwill impairment charge related to the April 29, 2011 acquisition of Cadent Holdings, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2011, the first quarter of 2012 or the second quarter of 2012, which rendered our financial statements and projections of future earnings materially false and misleading and in violation of GAAP. The amended complaint seeks monetary damages in an unspecified amount, costs and attorney's fees. Align filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on August 22, 2013. The hearing on this motion has been scheduled for November 20, 2013. Align intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations. Align is currently unable to predict the outcome of this amended complaint and therefore cannot determine the likelihood of loss nor estimate a range of possible loss.
	Shareholder Derivative Lawsuit
	On February 1, 2013, plaintiff Gary Udis filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit against several of Align's current and former officers and directors in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The complaint alleges that our reported income and earnings were materially overstated because of a failure to timely write down goodwill related to the April 29, 2011 acquisition of Cadent Holdings, Inc., and that defendants made allegedly false statements concerning our forecasts. The complaint asserts various state law causes of action, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and insider trading, among others. The complaint seeks unspecified damages on behalf of Align, which is named solely as nominal defendant against whom no recovery is sought. The complaint also seeks an order directing Align to reform and improve its corporate governance and internal procedures, and seeks restitution in an unspecified amount, costs, and attorney's fees. On July 8, 2013, an Order was entered staying this derivative lawsuit until there is an initial ruling on our first motion to dismiss the Securities Action. Align is currently unable to predict the outcome of this complaint and therefore cannot determine the likelihood of loss nor estimate a range of possible losses.
	In addition to the foregoing matters, in the course of Align's operations, Align is involved in a variety of claims, suits, investigations, and proceedings, including actions with respect to intellectual property claims, patent infringement claims, government investigations, labor and employment claims, breach of contract claims, tax, and other matters. Regardless of the outcome, these proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Although the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and Align's view of these matters may change in the future as litigation and events related thereto unfold, Align currently does not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will materially affect Align's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Leases
	As of September 30, 2013, minimum future lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ending December 31,	Operating leases
	Remainder of 2013	$	2,289
	2014	8,239
	2015	7,451
	2016	6,870
	2017	3,948
	Thereafter	1,755
	Total minimum future lease payments	$	30,552
	Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
	As of September 30, 2013, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
	Indemnification Provisions
	In the normal course of business to facilitate transactions in our services and products, we indemnify certain parties: customers, vendors, lessors and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, services to be provided by us and intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers that will require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. Several of these agreements limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim.
	It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Additionally, we have a limited history of prior indemnification claims and the payments we have made under such agreements have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position. However, to the extent that valid indemnification claims arise in the future, future payments by us could be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period. As of September 30, 2013, we did not have any material indemnification claims that were probable or reasonably possible.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Stock-based Compensation
	Summary of stock-based compensation expense
	On May 16, 2013, the Stockholders approved an increase of 7,000,000 shares to the 2005 Incentive Plan (as amended) for a total reserve of 23,283,379 shares for issuance, plus up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares that would have been returned to our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan as a result of termination of options on or after March 28, 2005.
	Stock-based compensation expense is based on the estimated fair value of awards, net of estimated forfeitures, and recognized over the requisite service period. Estimated forfeitures are based on historical experience at the time of grant and may be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The stock-based compensation expense related to all of our stock-based awards and employee stock purchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
	Cost of net revenues	$	664			$	445			$	1,881		$	1,365
	Sales and marketing	2,215				1,448				5,238			4,066
	General and administrative	3,687				2,657				11,170			7,579
	Research and development	1,024				812				2,976			2,494
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	7,590			$	5,362			$	21,265		$	15,504
	Options
	Activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 under the stock option plans is set forth below (in thousands, except years and per share amounts):
		Stock Options			Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Number of			Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
		Shares			Exercise				Contractual Term		Value
		Underlying			Price per Share
		Stock Options
									(in years )
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	3,276
	Granted	—
	Exercised	(1,430	)
	Cancelled or expired	(79	)
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	1,767			$	15.53			3.77		$	57,550
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	1,760			$	15.51			3.77		$	57,368
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,561			$	15.02			3.74		$	51,635
	There were no stock options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013, the total unamortized compensation cost related to stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, is $2.1 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.0 year.
	Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”)
	A summary of the RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except years):
		Number of Shares			Weighted Remaining		Aggregate
		Underlying RSU			Vesting Period		Intrinsic Value
					(in years)
	Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	1,500
	Granted	1,130
	Vested and released	(529	)
	Forfeited	(98	)
	Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	2,003			1.59		$	96,335
	As of September 30, 2013, the total unamortized compensation cost related to RSU, net of estimated forfeitures, was $44.3 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.
	On February 20, 2013 and 2012, we granted market-performance based restricted stock units (“MSU”) to our executive officers. Each MSU represents the right to one share of Align’s common stock and will be issued through our amended 2005 Incentive Plan. The actual number of MSU which will be eligible to vest will be based on the performance of Align’s stock price relative to the performance of the NASDAQ Composite Index over the vesting period, generally two to three years, up to 150% of the MSU initially granted.
	The following table summarizes the MSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except years):
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Underlying MSU			Remaining		Intrinsic Value
					Vesting Period
					(in years )
	Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	266
	Granted	225
	Vested and released	(96	)
	Forfeited	(43	)
	Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	352			1.83		$	16,950
	As of September 30, 2013, the total unamortized compensation costs related to the MSU, net of estimated forfeitures, was $6.8 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")
	In May 2010, our stockholders approved the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which will continue until terminated by either the Board of Directors or its administrator. The maximum number of shares available for purchase under the 2010 Purchase Plan is 2,400,000 shares. As of September 30, 2013, there remains 1,611,170 shares available for purchase under the 2010 Purchase Plan.
	The fair value of the option component of the Purchase Plan shares was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
	Expected term (in years)	1.2				1.2				1.2			1.2
	Expected volatility	37.3		%		48		%		44.9		%	49.7		%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.2		%		0.2		%		0.2		%	0.2		%
	Expected dividends	—				—				—			—
	Weighted average fair value at grant date	$	13.84			$	11.99			$	11.7		$	11.1
As of September 30, 2013, the total unamortized compensation cost related to employee purchases we expect to recognize was $1.8 million over a weighted average period of 0.9 year.

Common_Stock_Repurchase_Progra

Common Stock Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Stock Repurchase Program	'
	Common Stock Repurchase Program
	On October 27, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we may repurchase up to $150.0 million of common stock. Purchases under the stock repurchase program were made from time to time in the open market. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $34.95 per share, including commissions, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $95.1 million. All repurchased shares were retired. The common stock retirements reduced additional paid-in capital by approximately $24.5 million and increased accumulated deficit by $70.6 million. No shares are available for repurchase as we completed the repurchases under this program as of September 30, 2013.

Accounting_for_Income_Taxes

Accounting for Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting for Income Taxes	'
	Accounting for Income Taxes
	Our provision for income taxes was $7.4 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represents effective tax rates of 17.6% and 108.3%, respectively. The increase in provision for income taxes was primarily due to higher pre-tax income, which was partially offset by a $1.3 million discrete benefit related to the filing of our 2012 U.S. tax return as well as a jurisdictional shift in forecasted earnings from the U.S. to lower-tax non-U.S. jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 reflects a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $24.7 million.
	Our provision for income taxes was $18.5 million and $18.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represents effective tax rates of 45.9% and 27.6%, respectively. The decrease in provision for income taxes was primarily due to a jurisdictional shift in forecasted earnings from the U.S. to lower-tax non-U.S. jurisdictions and a $1.3 million discrete benefit related to the filing of our 2012 U.S. tax return, partially offset by a $5.8 million tax expense related to the impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets. The $5.8 million, which was recorded as a discrete item during the three months ended March 31, 2013, was comprised of a $9.7 million tax expense due to a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge offset by a $3.9 million tax benefit associated with the impairment of long-lived assets. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $40.7 million recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8, as amended) was signed into law. This Act extends the federal research and development credit through December 31, 2013. The federal research and development credit was reinstated retroactively to January 1, 2012. The tax benefit of the federal research and development credit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $0.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, the period in which the reinstatement was enacted into law.
	We exercise significant judgment in regards to estimates of future market growth, forecasted earnings and projected taxable income, in determining the provision for income taxes, and for purposes of assessing our ability to utilize any future benefit from deferred tax assets.
	As of September 30, 2013, we maintained a valuation allowance of $30.3 million against deferred tax assets primarily related to foreign net operating loss carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards. These net operating and capital loss carryforwards would result in an income tax benefit if we were to conclude it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets will be realized.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits was not material. The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $23.7 million as of September 30, 2013, all of which would impact our effective tax rate if recognized. We have elected to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income taxes. The change in accrued interest and penalties during the three months ended September 30, 2013, was not material. We do not expect any significant changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefit within the next twelve months.
	We are subject to taxation in the U.S., and various states and foreign jurisdictions. All of our tax years will be open to examination by the U.S. federal and most state tax authorities due to our net operating loss and overall credit carryforward position. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examination by foreign tax authorities for years before 2006. Our subsidiaries in Israel and Germany are under audit by the local tax authorities for calendar years 2006 through 2011 and 2007 through 2011, respectively.
	In June 2009, the Costa Rica Ministry of Foreign Trade, an agency of the Government of Costa Rica, granted a twelve year extension of various income tax incentives, which had been previously granted to us in 2002. The incentive tax rates will expire in various years beginning in 2017. Under these incentives, all of the income we earn in Costa Rica during the twelve year incentive period is exempt from Costa Rica income tax. In order to receive the benefit of these incentives, we must hire specified numbers of employees and maintain certain minimum levels of fixed asset investments in Costa Rica. If we do not fulfill these conditions for any reason, our incentive could lapse, and our income in Costa Rica would be subject to taxation at higher rates. The Costa Rica Corporate income tax rate that would apply, absent the incentives, is 30% for 2013. As a result of these incentives, the provision for income taxes were reduced by $18.0 million and $17.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, representing a benefit to diluted net income per share of $0.22 and $0.20 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the provision for income taxes was reduced by $6.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively, representing a benefit to diluted net income per share of $0.08 and $0.08, respectively.

Net_Profit_Per_Share

Net Profit Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Profit Per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock, adjusted for the dilutive effect of potential common stock. Potential common stock, computed using the treasury stock method, includes stock options, RSU, MSU and ESPP.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stock (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended,					Nine Months Ended,
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	34,537	$	(344	)	$	21,874	$	49,132
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	79,967		81,437			80,592		80,356
	Dilutive effect of potential common stock	1,881		—			1,957		2,660
	Total shares, diluted	81,848		81,437			82,549		83,016
	Net income (loss) per share, basic	$	0.43	$	(0.00	)	$	0.27	$	0.61
	Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	0.42	$	(0.00	)	$	0.26	$	0.59
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the anti-dilutive affect from RSU were not material.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012 , stock options, RSU, MSU and ESPP totaling 2.5 million of potentially dilutive shares have been excluded from the total diluted shares because there was a net loss during the period.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the anti-dilutive affect from stock options and RSU were not material.

Segments_and_Geographical_Info

Segments and Geographical Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segments and Geographical Information	'
	Segments and Geographical Information
	Segment Information
	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our CODM is our Chief Executive Officer. We report segment information based on the management approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by CODM for decision making and performance assessment as the basis for determining our reportable segments. The performance measures of our reportable segments include net revenues and gross profit.
	We have grouped our operations into two reportable segments which are also our reporting units: Clear Aligner segment and SCCS segment.
	•	Our Clear Aligner segment consists of our Invisalign system which includes Invisalign Full, Express/Lite, Teen, Assist, Vivera retainers, along with our training and ancillary products for treating malocclusion.
	•	Our SCCS segment consists of intra-oral scanning systems and additional services available with the intra-oral scanners that provide digital alternatives to the traditional cast models. This segment includes our iTero scanner and OrthoCAD services.
	These reportable operating segments are based on how our CODM views and evaluates our operations as well as allocation of resources (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Net Revenues	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Clear Aligner
	Invisalign Full	$	93,945	$	80,294	$	275,621	$	251,335
	Invisalign Express/Lite	17,702		12,779		52,943		38,217
	Invisalign Teen	23,779		19,144		62,289		50,672
	Invisalign Assist	7,445		7,051		23,418		21,495
	Invisalign non-case revenues	10,679		7,457		34,154		22,003
	SCCS
	Scanners	5,538		4,023		17,190		15,416
	CAD/CAM Services	5,418		5,748		16,299		18,063
	Total net revenues	$	164,506	$	136,496	$	481,914	$	417,201
	Gross profit
	Clear Aligner	$	122,663	$	98,334	$	352,114	$	301,340
	Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	2,427		2,016		9,516		8,570
	Total gross profit	$	125,090	$	100,350	$	361,630	$	309,910
	Geographical Information
	Net revenues and tangible long-lived assets are presented below by geographic area (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues: (1)
	U.S.	$	123,904	$	105,173	$	365,596	$	319,269
	the Netherlands	26,494		24,193		89,952		79,273
	Rest of the world	14,108		7,130		26,366		18,659
	Total net revenues	$	164,506	$	136,496	$	481,914	$	417,201
	(1) Net revenues are attributed to countries based on location of where revenue is recognized.
		As of September 30,		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Long-lived assets:(2)
	U.S.	$	62,241	$	60,098
	Rest of the world	14,311		19,093
	Total long-lived assets	$	76,552	$	79,191
	(2) Long-lived assets are attributed to the countries that purchased the asset.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of presentation	'
	Basis of presentation
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Align Technology, Inc. (“we”, “our”, or “Align”) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and contain all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our financial position as of September 30, 2013 and our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from the December 31, 2012 audited financial statements. Net revenues by geographic area for prior period amounts in Note 13 have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on our financial position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or any other future period, and we make no representations related thereto. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Items 7, 7A and 8, respectively, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Use of estimates	'
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of America (“U.S.”) requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the fair values of financial instruments, long-lived assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and contingent liabilities, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")”. This standard requires reporting, in one place, information about reclassifications out of AOCI by component. An entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount is reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified to net income in their entirety, an entity is required to cross-reference to other currently required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The information required by this standard must be presented in one place, either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements by income statement line item or in a note. The adoption of this guidance during our first quarter of 2013 did not have a material impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)." The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on the financial statements presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward with certain exceptions, in which case such an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability. The amendments in this ASU do not require new recurring disclosures and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

Marketable_Securities_and_Fair1

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Short-Term And Long-Term Marketable Securities	'
	Our short-term and long-term marketable securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
	Short-term
	September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	32,439	$	16	$	(6	)	$	32,449
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	15,728		5		(3		)	15,730
	Commercial paper	57,906		16		(1		)	57,921
	Municipal securities	1,150		—		(1		)	1,149
	U.S. government agency bonds	37,474		13		—			37,487
	Asset-backed securities	3,005		—		(1		)	3,004
	Total Marketable Securities, Short-Term	$	147,702	$	50	$	(12	)	$	147,740
	Long-term
	September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	19,836	$	6	$	(20	)	$	19,822
	U.S. government agency bonds	6,148		5		—			6,153
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	16,169		12		(2		)	16,179
	U.S. government treasury bonds	11,274		4		—			11,278
	Municipal securities	14,252		17		(12		)	14,257
	Asset-backed securities	9,150		1		(4		)	9,147
	Total Marketable Securities, Long-Term	$	76,829	$	45	$	(38	)	$	76,836
	Short-term
	December 31, 2012	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	18,767	$	7	$	(4	)	$	18,770
	Commercial paper	4,646		1		—			4,647
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	5,060		9		(1		)	5,068
	Total Marketable Securities, Short-Term	$	28,473	$	17	$	(5	)	$	28,485
	Long-term
	31-Dec-12	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	Corporate bonds	$	16,132	$	16	$	(7	)	$	16,141
	U.S. government agency bonds	2,069		1		—			2,070
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	3,038		4		(1		)	3,041
	Total Marketable Securities, Long-Term	$	21,239	$	21	$	(8	)	$	21,252
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Due in one year or less	$	147,740	$	28,485
	Due in one to two years	76,836		21,252
	Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	$	224,576	$	49,737
Financial Assets Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
		September 30, 2013		Active  Markets for		Observable  Inputs
				Identical Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	77,484	$	77,484	$	—
	Commercial paper	13,247		—		13,247
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper	57,921		—		57,921
	Corporate bonds	32,449		—		32,449
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	15,730		—		15,730
	Municipal securities	1,149		—		1,149
	U.S. government agency bonds	37,487		—		37,487
	Asset-backed securities	3,004		—		3,004
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds	19,822		—		19,822
	U.S. government agency bonds	6,153		—		6,153
	U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds	16,179		—		16,179
	U.S. government treasury bonds	11,278		11,278		—
	Municipal securities	14,257		—		14,257
	Asset-backed securities	9,147		—		9,147
	Other assets:
	Israeli severance funds	2,422		—		2,422
		$	317,729	$	88,762	$	228,967
	The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
	Description	Balance as of		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
		December 31, 2012		Active  Markets for		Observable  Inputs
				Identical Assets		(Level 2)
				(Level 1)
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	86,166	$	86,166	$	—
	Commercial paper	950		—		950
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper	4,647		—		4,647
	Corporate bonds	18,770		—		18,770
	U.S. government agency bonds	5,068		—		5,068
	Long-term investments:
	U.S. government agency bonds	2,070		—		2,070
	Corporate bonds	16,141		—		16,141
	U.S. dollar denominated foreign corporate bonds	3,041		—		3,041
	Other assets:
	Israeli severance funds	2,218		—		2,218
		$	139,071	$	86,166	$	52,905

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories are comprised of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Raw materials	$	6,779		$	7,629
	Work in process	3,474			3,889
	Finished goods	4,409			3,604
	Total Inventories	$	14,662		$	15,122
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	38,270		$	39,621
	Accrued sales rebates	9,383			8,333
	Accrued sales tax and value added tax	5,341			5,253
	Accrued sales and marketing expenses	3,868			4,088
	Accrued warranty	3,806			4,050
	Accrued accounts payable	3,915			2,866
	Accrued professional fees	1,485			2,349
	Accrued income taxes	1,317			572
	Other accrued liabilities	6,329			7,115
	Total Accrued Liabilities	$	73,714		$	74,247
Warranty Accrual	'
	The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,050		$	3,177
	Charged to cost of net revenues	2,813			3,647
	Actual warranty expenditures	(3,057		)	(2,694		)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,806		$	4,130

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib1

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Goodwill by Reportable Segment	'
	The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 by our reportable segments, which are also our reporting units, is as follows (in thousands):
		Clear Aligner				SCCS				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	58,543			$	40,693			$	99,236
	Goodwill from ICA acquisition	3,509				—				3,509
	Impairment of goodwill	—				(40,693		)		(40,693		)
	Adjustments 1	(307		)		—				(307		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	61,745			$	—			$	61,745
Schedule Of Amortized Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets arising either as a direct result from the Cadent acquisition or individually acquired are being amortized as follows (in thousands):
		Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Carrying Amount as of				Accumulated				Accumulated			Net Carrying
				September 30, 2013				Amortization				Impairment Loss			Value as of
															30-Sep-13
	Trademarks	15		$	7,100			$	(1,069	)		$	(4,179	)	$	1,852
	Existing technology	13		12,600				(2,109		)		(4,328		)	6,163
	Customer relationships	11		33,500				(6,657		)		(10,751		)	16,092
	Other	7		285				(30		)		—			255
				$	53,485			$	(9,865	)		$	(19,258	)	$	24,362
		Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)		Gross Carrying				Accumulated				Net Carrying
				Amount as of				Amortization				Value as of
				31-Dec-12								December 31, 2012
	Trademarks	15		$	7,100			$	(895	)		$	6,205
	Existing technology	13		12,600				(1,642		)		10,958
	Customer relationships	11		33,500				(5,002		)		28,498
	Other	8		125				(9		)		116
				$	53,325			$	(7,548	)		$	45,777
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	The total estimated annual future amortization expense for these acquired intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
	Remainder of 2013	$	662
	2014	2,635
	2015	2,629
	2016	2,629
	2017	2,629
	Thereafter	13,178
	Total	$	24,362

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Future Lease Payments	'
	As of September 30, 2013, minimum future lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ending December 31,	Operating leases
	Remainder of 2013	$	2,289
	2014	8,239
	2015	7,451
	2016	6,870
	2017	3,948
	Thereafter	1,755
	Total minimum future lease payments	$	30,552

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-based Compensation Expense	'
	The stock-based compensation expense related to all of our stock-based awards and employee stock purchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
	Cost of net revenues	$	664			$	445			$	1,881		$	1,365
	Sales and marketing	2,215				1,448				5,238			4,066
	General and administrative	3,687				2,657				11,170			7,579
	Research and development	1,024				812				2,976			2,494
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	7,590			$	5,362			$	21,265		$	15,504
Stock Option Activity	'															[1]
	Activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 under the stock option plans is set forth below (in thousands, except years and per share amounts):
		Stock Options			Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Number of			Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
		Shares			Exercise				Contractual Term		Value
		Underlying			Price per Share
		Stock Options
									(in years )
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	3,276
	Granted	—
	Exercised	(1,430	)
	Cancelled or expired	(79	)
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	1,767			$	15.53			3.77		$	57,550
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	1,760			$	15.51			3.77		$	57,368
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,561			$	15.02			3.74		$	51,635
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions	'
	The fair value of the option component of the Purchase Plan shares was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013			2012
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
	Expected term (in years)	1.2				1.2				1.2			1.2
	Expected volatility	37.3		%		48		%		44.9		%	49.7		%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.2		%		0.2		%		0.2		%	0.2		%
	Expected dividends	—				—				—			—
	Weighted average fair value at grant date	$	13.84			$	11.99			$	11.7		$	11.1
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'
Summary Of Nonvested Shares	'
	A summary of the RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except years):
		Number of Shares			Weighted Remaining		Aggregate
		Underlying RSU			Vesting Period		Intrinsic Value
					(in years)
	Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	1,500
	Granted	1,130
	Vested and released	(529	)
	Forfeited	(98	)
	Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	2,003			1.59		$	96,335
Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units	'
Summary Of Nonvested Shares	'
	The following table summarizes the MSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except years):
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Underlying MSU			Remaining		Intrinsic Value
					Vesting Period
					(in years )
	Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	266
	Granted	225
	Vested and released	(96	)
	Forfeited	(43	)
	Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	352			1.83		$	16,950
[1]	There were no stock options granted during the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013 and 2012.

Net_Profit_Per_Share_Tables

Net Profit Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted	'
		Three Months Ended,					Nine Months Ended,
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	34,537	$	(344	)	$	21,874	$	49,132
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	79,967		81,437			80,592		80,356
	Dilutive effect of potential common stock	1,881		—			1,957		2,660
	Total shares, diluted	81,848		81,437			82,549		83,016
	Net income (loss) per share, basic	$	0.43	$	(0.00	)	$	0.27	$	0.61
	Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	0.42	$	(0.00	)	$	0.26	$	0.59

Segments_and_Geographical_Info1

Segments and Geographical Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	'
	These reportable operating segments are based on how our CODM views and evaluates our operations as well as allocation of resources (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Net Revenues	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Clear Aligner
	Invisalign Full	$	93,945	$	80,294	$	275,621	$	251,335
	Invisalign Express/Lite	17,702		12,779		52,943		38,217
	Invisalign Teen	23,779		19,144		62,289		50,672
	Invisalign Assist	7,445		7,051		23,418		21,495
	Invisalign non-case revenues	10,679		7,457		34,154		22,003
	SCCS
	Scanners	5,538		4,023		17,190		15,416
	CAD/CAM Services	5,418		5,748		16,299		18,063
	Total net revenues	$	164,506	$	136,496	$	481,914	$	417,201
	Gross profit
	Clear Aligner	$	122,663	$	98,334	$	352,114	$	301,340
	Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	2,427		2,016		9,516		8,570
	Total gross profit	$	125,090	$	100,350	$	361,630	$	309,910
	Geographical Information
	Net revenues and tangible long-lived assets are presented below by geographic area (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues: (1)
	U.S.	$	123,904	$	105,173	$	365,596	$	319,269
	the Netherlands	26,494		24,193		89,952		79,273
	Rest of the world	14,108		7,130		26,366		18,659
	Total net revenues	$	164,506	$	136,496	$	481,914	$	417,201
	(1) Net revenues are attributed to countries based on location of where revenue is recognized.
		As of September 30,		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Long-lived assets:(2)
	U.S.	$	62,241	$	60,098
	Rest of the world	14,311		19,093
	Total long-lived assets	$	76,552	$	79,191
	(2) Long-lived assets are attributed to the countries that purchased the asset.

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Marketa

Short-Term and Long-Term Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	$224,576,000	$49,737,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	147,702,000	28,473,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	50,000	17,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-12,000	-5,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	147,740,000	28,485,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	32,439,000	18,767,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	16,000	7,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-6,000	-4,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	32,449,000	18,770,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	15,728,000	5,060,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,000	9,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,000	-1,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	15,730,000	5,068,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Commercial paper	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	57,906,000	4,646,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	16,000	1,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,000	0
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	57,921,000	4,647,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	1,150,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,000	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	1,149,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	37,474,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	13,000	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	37,487,000	5,068,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	3,005,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,000	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	3,004,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	76,829,000	21,239,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	45,000	21,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-38,000	-8,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	76,836,000	21,252,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	19,836,000	16,132,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,000	16,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-20,000	-7,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	19,822,000	16,141,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | U.S. dollar dominated foreign corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	16,169,000	3,038,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	12,000	4,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,000	-1,000
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	16,179,000	3,041,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	14,252,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	17,000	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-12,000	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	14,257,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	6,148,000	2,069,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,000	1,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	6,153,000	2,070,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	9,150,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,000	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,000	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	9,147,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | US Treasury and Government [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	11,274,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,000	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	$11,278,000	'

Summary_of_Financial_Assets_Me

Summary of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	$224,576,000	$49,737,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	317,729,000	139,071,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Israeli Severance Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other assets	2,422,000	2,218,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash Equivalents | Money market funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	77,484,000	86,166,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash Equivalents | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	13,247,000	950,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	147,740,000	28,485,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	57,921,000	4,647,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	32,449,000	18,770,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	37,487,000	5,068,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	15,730,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	1,149,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | US Government Agency Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	37,487,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	3,004,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	76,836,000	21,252,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	19,822,000	16,141,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	6,153,000	2,070,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	16,179,000	3,041,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | US Treasury and Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	11,278,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	14,257,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	9,147,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	88,762,000	86,166,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Israeli Severance Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other assets	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Cash Equivalents | Money market funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	77,484,000	86,166,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Cash Equivalents | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | US Government Agency Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | US Treasury and Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	11,278,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Long-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	228,967,000	52,905,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Israeli Severance Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other assets	2,422,000	2,218,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Cash Equivalents | Money market funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Cash Equivalents | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents	13,247,000	950,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	57,921,000	4,647,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	32,449,000	18,770,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	'	5,068,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	15,730,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	1,149,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | US Government Agency Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	37,487,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	3,004,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | Corporate bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	19,822,000	16,141,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | Agency bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	6,153,000	2,070,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | Foreign bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	16,179,000	3,041,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | US Treasury and Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	14,257,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term Investments | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	$9,147,000	'

Marketable_Securities_and_Fair2

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Charges	$26,300	$0	$26,300	$0	$26,320	$0	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	$0	$40,700	$24,665	$40,693	$24,665	'
Maturity Period Used To Classify Investments	'	'	'	'	'2 years	'	'
Marketable Securities, Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	'	'	'	'	'8 months	'	'10 months

Marketable_Securities_and_Fair3

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements Available For Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Due in one year or less	$147,740	$28,485
Due in one to two years	76,836	21,252
Total available for sale short-term and long-term securities	$224,576	$49,737

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves	$6,779	$7,629
Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves	3,474	3,889
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves	4,409	3,604
Inventories	$14,662	$15,122

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued payroll and benefits	$38,270	$39,621
Accrued sales rebate	9,383	8,333
Accrued sales tax and value added tax	5,341	5,253
Accrued warranty	3,806	4,050
Accrued sales and marketing expenses	3,868	4,088
Accrued accounts payable	3,915	2,866
Accrued professional fees	1,485	2,349
Accrued income taxes	1,317	572
Other	6,329	7,115
Total	$73,714	$74,247

Balance_Sheet_Components_Addit

Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Product Information [Line Items]	'
Scanners, Warranty period	'1 year

Warranty_Accrual_Activity_Deta

Warranty Accrual Activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$4,050	$3,177
Charged to cost of revenues	2,813	3,647
Actual warranty expenditures	-3,057	-2,694
Balance at end of period	$3,806	$4,130

Business_Combinations_Details

Business Combinations (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013
			ICA Holdings Pty Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments to acquire business	'	'	$8,600,000
Assets acquired	'	'	7,400,000
Liabilities assumed	'	'	2,300,000
Goodwill	$61,745,000	$99,236,000	$3,500,000

Change_in_Carrying_Value_of_Go

Change in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	'	$99,236	'	$99,236	'
Goodwill from ICA acquisition	'	'	'	3,509	'
Impairment of goodwill	0	-40,700	-24,665	-40,693	-24,665
Adjustments 1	'	'	'	-307	'
Balance as of September 30, 2013	61,745	'	'	61,745	'
Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	'	40,693	'	40,693	'
Goodwill from ICA acquisition	'	'	'	0	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	'	'	-40,693	'
Adjustments 1	'	'	'	0	'
Balance as of September 30, 2013	0	'	'	0	'
Clear Aligner [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	'	58,543	'	58,543	'
Goodwill from ICA acquisition	'	'	'	3,509	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	'	'	0	'
Adjustments 1	'	'	'	-307	'
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$61,745	'	'	$61,745	'

Summary_of_Goodwill_by_Reporta

Summary of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$61,745	$99,236
Clear Aligner [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	61,745	58,543
Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$0	$40,693

Intangible_Assets_as_Direct_Re

Intangible Assets as Direct Result from Cadent Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount, beginning balance	$53,485	$53,325
Accumulated Amortization	-9,865	-7,548
Accumulated Impairment Loss	-19,258	45,777
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	24,362	'
Trademarks	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount, beginning balance	7,100	'
Accumulated Amortization	-1,069	'
Accumulated Impairment Loss	-4,179	6,205
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	1,852	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'15 years	'15 years
Existing technology	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount, beginning balance	12,600	'
Accumulated Amortization	-2,109	'
Accumulated Impairment Loss	-4,328	10,958
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	6,163	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'13 years	'13 years
Customer relationships	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount, beginning balance	33,500	'
Accumulated Amortization	-6,657	'
Accumulated Impairment Loss	-10,751	28,498
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	16,092	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'11 years	'11 years
Other	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount, beginning balance	285	'
Accumulated Amortization	-30	'
Accumulated Impairment Loss	0	116
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	$255	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'7 years	'8 years

Total_Estimated_Annual_Future_

Total Estimated Annual Future Amortization Expense for Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
Remainder of 2013	$662
2014	2,635
2015	2,629
2016	2,629
2017	2,629
Thereafter	13,178
Net Carrying Value, ending balance	$24,362

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib2

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets Impairment of goodwill (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	$0	$40,700,000	$24,665,000	$40,693,000	$24,665,000	'
Goodwill	'	61,745,000	'	'	61,745,000	'	99,236,000
Asset Impairment Charges	26,300,000	0	26,300,000	0	26,320,000	0	'
Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	'	'	'	40,693,000	'	'
Goodwill	'	0	'	'	0	'	40,693,000
Asset Impairment Charges	19,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of fixed assets	$7,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Credit_Facilities_Additional_I

Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 22, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 22, 2013	Mar. 22, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
		Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]
		Wells Fargo [Member]	Wells Fargo [Member]	Wells Fargo [Member]	Wells Fargo [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit, available borrowings	'	'	$50	$10	'
Unrestricted Cash Deposit	'	50	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	'	'	'	$0

Minimum_Future_Lease_Payments_

Minimum Future Lease Payments for Non-Cancelable Leases (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Remainder of 2013	$2,289
2014	8,239
2015	7,451
2016	6,870
2017	3,948
Thereafter	1,755
Total minimum lease payments	$30,552

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

31-May-11

19-May-11

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Incentive Plan 2005

Incentive Plan 2005

Amended And Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2010

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units

Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units

Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units

Stock Options

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Cost of Sales [Member]

Cost of Sales [Member]

Cost of Sales [Member]

Cost of Sales [Member]

Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]

Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]

Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]

Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

Research and Development Expense [Member]

Research and Development Expense [Member]

Research and Development Expense [Member]

Research and Development Expense [Member]

Minimum

Maximum

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

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Stock-based compensation expense

$7,590,000

$5,362,000

$21,265,000

$15,504,000

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'

$664,000

$445,000

$1,881,000

$1,365,000

$2,215,000

$1,448,000

$5,238,000

$4,066,000

$3,687,000

$2,657,000

$11,170,000

$7,579,000

$1,024,000

$812,000

$2,976,000

$2,494,000

Approved increase in shares

'

'

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7,000,000

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Shares reserved for issuance

'

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23,283,379

5,000,000

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Total unamortized compensation cost

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$44,300,000

$6,800,000

'

'

$2,100,000

$1,800,000

'

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Weighted average period of total unamortized cost (in years)

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'2 years 8 months

'1 year 9 months

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'1 year

'10 months 24 days

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Vesting period of granted market-performance based restricted stock units

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'2 years

'3 years

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Percentage of market-performance based restricted stock units eligible to vest over the vesting period

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150.00%

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Maximum number of shares available

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2,400,000

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Number of shares remaining

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1,611,170

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StockBased_Compensation_Expens

Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to All Stock-Based Awards and Employee Stock Purchases (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$7,590	$5,362	$21,265	$15,504
Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	664	445	1,881	1,365
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,215	1,448	5,238	4,066
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,687	2,657	11,170	7,579
Research and development	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,024	$812	$2,976	$2,494

Activity_Under_Stock_Option_Pl

Activity Under Stock Option Plans (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of Shares Underlying Stock Options	'	'
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	'	3,276
Granted	0	'
Exercised	-1,430	'
Cancelled or expired	-79	'
Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	1,767	3,276
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	1,760	'
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	1,561	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	'	'
Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	$15.53	'
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2013 (usd per share)	$15.51	'
Exercisable at March 31, 2013 (usd per share)	$15.02	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'
Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	'3 years 9 months 7 days	'
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	'3 years 9 months 7 days	'
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'3 years 8 months 27 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	$57,550	'
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	57,368	'
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	$51,635	'

Summary_of_Nonvested_Shares_De

Summary of Nonvested Shares (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'
Number of Shares Underlying RSUs	'	'
Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	'	1,500
Granted	1,130	'
Vested and released	-529	'
Forfeited	-98	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	2,003	1,500
Weighted Remaining Vesting Period	'	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	'1 year 7 months 2 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	$96,335	'

Summary_of_MSU_Performance_Det

Summary of MSU Performance (Details) (Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Market Performance Based Restricted Stock Units	'	'
Number of Shares Underlying MSUs	'	'
Nonvested as of December 31, 2012	'	266
Granted	225	'
Vested and released	-96	'
Forfeited	-43	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	352	266
Weighted Average Remaining Vesting Period	'	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	'1 year 9 months 29 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Nonvested as of September 30, 2013	$16,950	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Stockb

Stock-based Compensation Stock-based Compensation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'1 year 2 months 12 days
Expected volatility	37.30%	48.00%	44.90%	49.70%
Risk-free interest rate	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average fair value at grant date (USD per Share)	$13.84	$11.99	$11.70	$11.10

Common_Stock_Repurchase_Progra1

Common Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 27, 2011
		Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Common Stock Repurchase Program
Share Repurchases [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, common stock authorized	'	'	'	$150
Repurchase of common stock, shares repurchased	2.7	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, average price per share	$34.95	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, aggregate purchase price	$95.10	$24.50	$70.60	'

Accounting_for_Income_Taxes_Ad

Accounting for Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$7,376,000	'	$4,494,000	$18,542,000	$18,765,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	17.60%	'	45.90%	108.30%	27.60%
Income tax expense (benefit) related to googdwill and long-lived assets	'	'	'	5,800,000	'
Discrete benefit	'	'	'	1,300,000	'
Income tax expense	'	'	'	9,700,000	'
Income Tax Benefit Deductible, Impairment Losses, Amount	'	'	'	3,900,000	'
Impairment of goodwill	0	40,700,000	24,665,000	40,693,000	24,665,000
Tax credit	'	500,000	'	'	'
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset	30,300,000	'	'	30,300,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	23,700,000	'	'	23,700,000	'
Tax holiday effect on diluted earnings per share	$0.08	'	$0.08	$0.22	$0.20
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign income tax rate	'	'	'	30.00%	'
Tax Holiday effect	$6,100,000	'	$6,900,000	$18,000,000	$17,000,000

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Profit Per Share Attributable to Common Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net profit (loss)	$34,537	($344)	$21,874	$49,132
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	79,967	81,437	80,592	80,356
Dilutive effect of potential common stock (in shares)	1,881	0	1,957	2,660
Total shares, diluted	81,848	81,437	82,549	83,016
Net profit (loss) per share, basic	$0.43	$0	$0.27	$0.61
Net profit (loss) per share, diluted	$0.42	$0	$0.26	$0.59

Net_Profit_per_Share_Additiona

Net Profit per Share - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	2.5

Segments_and_Geographical_Info2

Segments and Geographical Information - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	segment
Disclosure Segments And Geographical Information Additional Information [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	$164,506	[1]	$136,496	[1]	$481,914	[1]	$417,201	[1]
Gross profit	125,090		100,350		361,630		309,910
Invisalign Full [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	93,945		80,294		275,621		251,335
Clear Aligner [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross profit	122,663		98,334		352,114		301,340
Scanners and CAD/CAM Services	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross profit	2,427		2,016		9,516		8,570
Invisalign ExpressLite [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	17,702		12,779		52,943		38,217
Invisalign Teen [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	23,779		19,144		62,289		50,672
Invisalign Assist [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	7,445		7,051		23,418		21,495
Invisalign Non-Case Revenues [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	10,679		7,457		34,154		22,003
Scanners [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	5,538		4,023		17,190		15,416
CADCAM Services [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Revenue	$5,418		$5,748		$16,299		$18,063
[1]	.

Net_Revenues_by_Geographic_Are

Net Revenues by Geographic Area (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net revenues	$164,506	[1]	$136,496	[1]	$481,914	[1]	$417,201	[1]
United States	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net revenues	123,904	[1]	105,173	[1]	365,596	[1]	319,269	[1]
the Netherlands	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net revenues	26,494	[1]	24,193	[1]	89,952	[1]	79,273	[1]
Other international	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net revenues	$14,108	[1]	$7,130	[1]	$26,366	[1]	$18,659	[1]
[1]	.

LongLived_Assets_by_Geographic

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	$76,552	[1]	$79,191	[1]
United States	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	62,241	[1]	60,098	[1]
Other international	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	$14,311	[1]	$19,093	[1]
[1]	Long-lived assets are attributed to the countries that purchased the asset.