Clear Aligners Market Analysis And Forecast To 2031: By Age Group (Adult, Teen), By End-user (Hospitals, Dental and Orthodontal Clinics, Others), And Region
The global clear aligners market was valued at USD 4.5 Billion in 2021 and it is anticipated to grow up to USD 40.2 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 24.5% during the forecast period.
Clear aligners refer to transparent trays composed of special material. This dental equipment is employed in improving the posture of misaligned or crooked teeth. These orthodontic systems are used to straighten teeth and offer an optimal alternative to conventional braces. Clear aligners are visually discreet and designed in accordance with patients’ convenience and flexibility. They use gentle and simultaneous force to position the teeth in the proper position without requiring going through the hassles of conventional braces.
Market Trends and Drivers
The rise in the number of orthodontic patients suffering from ailments such as malocclusions and temporomandibular jaw misalignment has prompted an increase in the demand pertaining to aesthetic and convenient alternatives to traditional fixed appliances. Improvements in aligner technology have increased the scope of its application & the enabled the treatment of complex cases. The use of this device offers an aesthetic and convenient experience, promotes oral hygiene, causes relatively less pain, and limits the number & duration of clinical visits. The growing demand for customized clear aligners is further accelerating the product demand. Technological advancements in dental treatment including clear aligner therapy, and rapidly aging population suffering with malocclusions are driving the clear aligners market expansion.
Market Restraints and Challenges
High cost of clear aligners may negatively impact the clear aligners industry growth. The cost of clear aligners varies based on the misalignment of the teeth to be corrected and other variables that can be evaluated by a dental professional. Thus, the cost of aligners is determined using a broad spectrum of criteria, such as the intricacy of the case, the number of enhancements needed, and the number of aligners employed. The high cost of acquisition of clear aligners hampers its adoption rate, especially in the emerging markets. For instance, the general cost ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 8,000, with majority of these aligners costing around USD 4,000 to USD 5,000. Moreover, in developing countries such a high cost of equipment restricts the dental practitioners from opting for the product. Thus, significant cost of clear aligners may impede their market growth.
Global Clear Aligners Market Segmental Overview
The report analyses the global clear aligners market based on age group, end-user, and region
Global Clear Aligners Market by Age Group
Based on age group, the market is segmented as adults and teens. The adults segment accounted for majority market share in 2021 and is anticipated to register a significant CAGR from 2022-20301. This market share is due to the increasing frequency of orthodontic diseases among adults. Orthodontic problems, like as malocclusion, are common in adults. If not treated, these conditions can lead to issues such as decreased dentofacial aesthetics and disrupted oral functions such as swallowing and mastication, as well as an increased risk of trauma and periodontal disease. These variables have influenced the use of clear aligners among adolescents, which will boost market share. For instance, as per the National Centers for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), in 2018, recent statistics indicate a surge in the number of older individuals demanding orthodontic intervention. Thus, the increasing product adoption amongst the older individuals is anticipated to drive the overall industry landscape.
Global Clear Aligners Market by End-user
Based on end-use, the market is segmented as hospitals, dental & orthodontal clinics, and others. The hospital segment held substantial market share in 2021 and is anticipated to witness notable growth to reach highest market share and CAGR by 2031. This large market revenue is primarily due to rising hospital admissions and greater product acceptance in hospitals. The significant adoption rate of these revolutionary orthodontic devices delivering upgraded and effective solutions for straightening misaligned or crooked teeth will promote patient preference for these healthcare settings. The rising number of hospital admissions is due to the growing prevalence of malocclusions and the psychological impact of these disorders. As a result, the aforementioned elements are expected to accelerate the total market statistics.
Region-wise, it is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2021, North America held more than 55.0% of the market. This is due to increased R&D investments, the local presence of global players, and their efforts to get new patents. According to an American Dental Association poll, 85% of Americans regard dental health and believe oral health to be an important component of total care. There are four million people in the United States wearing braces, with 25% of them being adults, and the introduction of clear tray-style aligners has piqued the interest of many patients who want to improve their smile but wish to avoid the metal-mouth aspect of braces. Factors such as increased awareness of recent advancements in oral hygiene and a variety of easy treatment alternatives
Major Players in the Global Clear Aligners Market
The key players in the market
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a global health crisis and inflicted notable disease burden & financial adversities on several sectors of the global economy. Multiple sectors including the healthcare industry have foreseen significant transitions during the first half of 2020. This has resulted in delay or postponing several medical procedures. However, despite these developments, the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the clear aligners market growth.
During the pandemic, the orthodontic practice disruption and quarantine led several orthodontists and patients to communicate using online telemedicine services. As per the Frontiers in Medicine study, there was an increased volume of posts on online platforms demanding for clear aligners during the pandemic. An article by the Dental Tribune stated that Align Technology, one of the market players reported around increased sales accounting for 1.6 million cases in 2020 as compared to 1.5 million cases in the previous year. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic assisted the industry to proliferate in terms of product adoption and this trend is expected to continue in near future. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the overall market demand.
Recent Developments
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