Global Dental Equipment Market
The global dental equipment market is predicted to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% to reach over $13 billion by 2016, according to a report from GBI Research.
The two most prevalent forms of oral health disease are periodontal diseases and caries, or dental cavities, known as the world’s number one chronic disease. To treat these and an array of other oral problems, a full range of dental equipment exists, including diagnostic and general solutions (crowns and bridges), dental lasers, radiology equipment, dental chairs, dental biomaterial, and services and treatment devices (endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and orthodontics). Laboratory machines, hygiene equipment and other general dental care products also fall into the industry product category.
The dental equipment market is fuelled not only by the prevention and treatment of disease, but also in large part by cosmetic dentistry, which sees an annual expenditure of $2.75 billion in the US alone. Tooth whitening procedures attest to soaring demand for cosmetic dentistry, with a 300% increase over the past five years. Cosmetic dentistry is practiced regularly by close to 85% of dentists in the US, reports the Dental Marketing Center.
Key market drivers for the dental equipment industry include higher demand for dental implants in the US, France, Germany and Japan, along with a preference for minimally invasive surgical procedures and technology innovation. Better dental benefit coverage and direct consumer marketing from manufacturers are also playing a role in spurring industry growth.
Key Segments & Regional Market Share
Dental implants represent the leading market segment, with forecasts as high as 49% expected for 2016. In terms of revenue, dental implants should hit $6.4 billion in 2016 – up from over $2.5 billion in 2009 – for a CAGR of nearly 14%.
Nearly 75% of the US population suffer from some form of gum disease without knowing it, according to the American Dental Hygienist Association. This may contribute to why the US is the biggest market for dental devices. Analysis from GBI Research forecasts US regional value to grow at a CAGR of 10% to reach $4.2 billion by 2016.
The US Surgeon General reports that close to 110 million people do not have dental insurance in America, representing over two and a half times the number without medical coverage. Though the economic crisis may be causing people to skimp on dental care, long-term consequences may see demand for care in the US soar, especially if preventable or controllable conditions are left untreated.
China marks the fastest-growing regional market, with CAGR forecasts set at 15% for the next five years to 2016. Why all the sudden growth? GBI Research attributes dental service deregulation and major healthcare reforms, including a $123 billion allocation in 2011 to cover 90% of the nation’s population, to have significantly boosted interest in and infrastructure for quality healthcare services – with dental a key target. China’s 1,000 dental clinics import over 50% of dental equipment and are now looking to buy advanced dental technologies to replace outdated devices, positioning it for prime market growth.
Industry Leaders
Straumann, Nobel Biocare and Planmeca Oy lead the dental equipment industry, with the three combined holding close to 23% of total market share.
- With leading brands Emdogain, BoneCeramic and AlloGraft, Straumann offers expertise in products for oral tissue regeneration and implant dentistry. It also provides digital solutions such as intra-oral scanning for dental impression-taking and prosthetics using computer-aided manufacturing technology. Straumann is an exclusive EU distributor for CADENT iTero, an intra-oral scanner.
- Nobel Biocare is known for its dental chair equipment and implants, including leading products such as NobelActive and NobelReplace, while Planmeca Oy focuses on dental radiology equipment. The fast-growing dental equipment markets in Japan, China and the US are drawing interest from industry leaders to evaluate partnerships and acquisitions to secure regional market share.
Market Outlook
Made up of over 200 national specialist groups and dental associations, the FDI World Dental Federation’s publication The Oral Health Atlas underlines the impact of socioeconomic status on oral health issues, pointing out that 80% of the world’s dental care is used in the treatment of only 20% of the global population.
With emerging economies growing stronger – and income hopefully following suit – and demand on the up due to the world’s ageing population and increases in oral disease, dental equipment is expected to see solid global growth in the years to come. Dental implants, in particular, are expected to make big leaps. A combination of better surgeon education, open opportunities for implant manufacturers and technology advances (such as dental imaging and guided surgery) will encourage single-stage implants and drive demand.
In the US, unhealthy lifestyles will contributed to the growth of the dental equipment market and increase the need for specialist clinics, further boosting sales of dental implants, chairs and general dental devices.
Leading Industry Associations
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