An increased interest in cosmetic dentistry and medical tourism is sparking rapid growth within the dental aligners market. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%, the $5.65 billion market (as of 2023) will significantly change over the next 10 years.1
How aligners rose in popularity
Although clear aligners have been around since the late 1990s, demand for these products doubled between 2020 and 2021 after an influx of patients sought discreet dental treatments in the height of the pandemic. According to Ashley Clarke, senior medical analyst at GlobalData, aligners attracted a broader market —both adults and adolescents alike — due to their comfortability and aesthetically pleasing appearance.1
Although Europe has the largest market for dental devices, many patients there did not want to break the bank during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, economic circumstances drove many Eurpoean consumers to seek cheaper treatment abroad.1 Not only that, but technological advancements made aligners more affordable and capable of addressing complex malocclusions. That said, they are not a ubiquitous solution, and their success relies heavily on patient compliance.
Key market players
In addition to COVID, the market for dental aligners changed notably after SmileDirectClub, a once popular (and controversial) figure in the business, shut down unexpectedly in December 2023. This gave competitors, including smaller brands, an opportunity to not only learn from SmileDirectClub’s mistakes but get their name out to consumers.1
North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, and Asian-Pacific regions contribute the highest revenue to the dental aligners market. Treatments in North America are expected to continue growing thanks to new technology and increased affordability.1
SmileDirectClub is out of the game, but companies like Align Technology, Dentsply Sirona, ClearCorrect, 3M, and Henry Schein remain major players.1
Despite such promising growth, it’s important to remember that the current state of dental aligners is temperamental. A reported lack of reimbursement policies and difficulty following strict treatment routines may cause rising numbers to dip. Above all else, dental practitioners must prioritize their patients’ safety before recommending or providing dental aligners.
References
-
Dental aligners market size by segments, share, regulatory, reimbursement, procedures and forecast to 2033. GlobalData. January 2024. https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/dental-aligners-devices-market-analysis/?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=gd_pr_medical_dental_aligners_23-05-24
Sarah Butkovic, MA, is an Associate Editor at Endeavor Business Media, where she works on creating and editing engaging and informative content for today's leading online dentistry publications. She holds a Master's English Language and Literature from Loyola University Chicago and is passionate about producing high-quality content that educates, inspires, and connects with readers.
