Dental Handpieces Market

Market Overview

The global dental handpiece market size was valued at USD 1,834.36 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 3222.97 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A hand-held, mechanical instrument known as a dental handpiece or drill performs several basic dental treatments, such as eliminating decay, cleaning fillings, performing cosmetic dentistry, and modifying prosthetics. In dental handpieces, a shaft is connected to an electric motor using gears and burs. The handpiece comprises internal mechanical parts that start a rotational force and power the cutting tool, which is often a dental burr. Depending on the necessary function required by the dental process, different types of equipment will be used in the clinical setting.

Some handpieces frequently include a light source and a cooling water-spray system; this enhances vision, accuracy, and the procedure's overall success. Diamonds and tungsten carbide are common materials for making burrs. These handpieces make it possible to perform even the most difficult endodontic, surgical, or restorative procedures. In contrast to specialized handpieces, which are exclusively suitable for specific procedures, some handpieces are designed for various common uses. Speed, electric, and surgical handpieces are examples of complete handpieces.

Highlights

• Air-driven handpieces dominate the product segment
• High speed dominates the speed segment
• Dental clinics dominate the end-user segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Market Drivers

Rising Incidence of Dental Diseases and Growing Dental Tourism

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide were affected by oral diseases, with caries of permanent teeth being the most common condition. Oral diseases are highly prevalent around the globe, posing a very serious public health challenge. Due to demographic changes, including population growth and aging, the cumulative burden of oral conditions is increasing dramatically. In addition, sugar, alcohol, and tobacco consumption and their underlying social and commercial determinants are some risk factors associated with oral diseases.

Furthermore, globalization has made dental tourism a major revenue stream in developing countries, particularly Asia-Pacific, which may raise demand for dental headpieces. Dental tourism is growing due to lower costs, no wait times, short treatment times, and the ability to combine treatment with travel to exciting destinations and procedures that are illegal in the home country. Similarly, dental handpieces are vital to performing various common dental procedures, including removing decay,cosmetic dentistry, polishing fillings, and altering prostheses; therefore, the demand for this equipment is estimated to skyrocket over the forecast period.

Increasing Demand for Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has been showing rapid growth and is the fastest-growing segment of the dental industry. The dental handpiece market is driven by increased demand for cosmetic procedures by patients of all groups. Two patient populations, millennials, and baby boomers, have mostly driven the increase in demand, with millennials making up an increasing part of this group.

Popular media, especially television, influence social norms concerning people's appearance and will likely impact the demand for various aesthetic dental procedures. Moreover, aesthetic dental services are in high demand because consumers are willing to invest in their appearance. Additionally, growing demand for implants, veneers, direct bonding, orthodontics, periodontal plastic surgery, porcelain crowns, fixed bridges, teeth whitening, and tooth-colored fillings will exponentially fuel the dental handpieces market.

Global Market Restraint

Lack of Reimbursement Policies and Lack of Awareness Regarding Oral Health Problems

Even in industrialized nations like the US, the majority of people do not have dental insurance. Medicare does not cover Routine dental treatment, the national health insurance scheme for seniors and persons under 65 with disabilities. Inadequate or non-existent dental insurance coverage may leave some with relatively high out-of-pocket expenses while forcing others to forgo oral healthcare. However, the insurance does not pay for small and major restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, or dentures, as well as normal preventative dental services like checkups, cleanings, and x-rays.

Furthermore, oral health literacy continues to be an issue since many people do not understand the importance of oral health, how to counteract oral health issues, or how to get access to dental care. The services of private dentists are unaffordable for many, and oral healthcare is often not integrated into the primary healthcare system. This factor significantly reduces dental visits as well as dental procedures, which in turn, hampers the dental handpieces market.

Global Market Opportunities

Growing Burden of Oral Healthcare

The burden of oral diseases is a largely neglected reality which includes tooth decay (addressing the most common chronic disease worldwide), periodontal disease (a common but preventable oral condition), and oral cancer (a challenge to public health in many countries). The high burden of oral diseases represents a widely underestimated public health challenge for almost all countries. Therefore, raising awareness of the requirement to address the burden of oral diseases and including oral health and disease indicators systematically in regular disease surveillance and epidemiological monitoring are key opportunities for the growth of the dental handpiece market.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global dental handpiece market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW.

North America is the most significant global dental handpiece market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.74% during the forecast period. With an increasing number of patients and increased healthcare spending by both public and private participants in healthcare systems, the dental handpiece market in the North American area is expanding rapidly. In 2017, the CMS (Office of the Actuary) report stated that the United States spent USD 3.5 trillion on healthcare. This number increased to about USD 3.8 trillion in the year 2019. Thus, creating multiple facilities in hospitals or clinics for the well-being of patients has resulted in a notable increase in healthcare spending. As a result, this reason is projected to accelerate the expansion of the dental handpiece market.

Furthermore, widespread adoption of technology developments in dental equipment, ongoing positive demographic trends, and increased consumer awareness of the connection between oral hygiene and general health fueled market expansion in the area. Rapid improvements in Medicare infrastructure and a growing appetite for innovative dental treatments are expected to fuel market expansion over the forecast period.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.47% over the forecast period. Favorable reimbursements in some European countries, a growing geriatric population, and increasing incidences of diseases mainly drive the European dental handpiece market. Due to the growing elderly population in this region and the increased financing for the construction and enhancement of oral healthcare facilities regionally, Europe is leading the dental consumables market. Presently, Europe has the highest proportion of people who are 60 or older (25 percent). Age-related illnesses and the rapidly aging population are expected to help the European dental handpiece industry expand. As per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in 2018, the average per capita healthcare expenditure in Switzerland was around USD 7,317, and in Denmark was about USD 5,299. Hence, these factors are anticipated to augment the growth of the dental handpiece market. The rising cases of numerous dental diseases in European countries and the shift towards preventive healthcare also fuel the growth of the dental handpiece market.

The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to witness the fastest growth in the dental handpieces market. The region's dental handpiece market is projected to be led by Japan, India, and China. This industry is predicted to have a huge opportunity due to the rising prevalence of dental problems and the expanding healthcare infrastructure. The number of people in Asia-Pacific nations like Japan, China, and Australia who are 60 years of age or older is unusually high, and it is projected to advance in the coming years, according to reports from the United Nations. This is projected to increase the incidence of dental disorders in the region, increasing the demand for dental handpieces.

Furthermore, governments are taking initiatives to set up new and advanced healthcare facilities in developing countries to cater to the requirements of the increasing population. The demand for cutting-edge medical treatments will rise as more healthcare facilities are anticipated to fuel the Asia-Pacific dental handpieces market.

The RoW comprises the Middle East and Africa, and South America region. The government initiatives for creating awareness regarding proper healthcare facilities also bolstered the demand for dental handpieces in the South American region. Rapidly aging South American countries will grow remarkably for the dental handpiece market soon. In contrast, Egypt's dental handpiece market is anticipated to expand steadily in the Middle East and African regions throughout the anticipated period as a result of rising public awareness of the advantages associated with using dental handpieces in a healthcare facility. Rising incidences of various types of dental disorders that require proper management in a medical facility across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries drive the growth of the dental handpiece market in the Middle East and Africa region.

Segmental Analysis

The global dental handpiece market is segmented by product, speed, and end-user.

Based on product, the global dental handpiece market is divided into hybrid air-electric handpieces, air-driven handpieces, and electric handpieces. 

The air-driven handpieces segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.63% over the forecast period. Air-driven handpieces are the most widely used handpieces in dental treatment. An aging population and the global prevalence of oral diseases drive the market. Air-driven handpieces have maintained their popularity and gained significance with advanced brushless motors and various contra-angle attachments. With several applications in general dentistry, endodontics, and implantology, the demand for air-driven handpieces always stays high. In addition, the high-speed, air-driven handpiece is the most popular choice in many nations since it is less expensive than an electric handpiece and simpler to maintain.

Hybrid handpieces utilize the technology used both in electric and air-driven handpieces. This has resulted in hybridization with better benefits in both categories, including increased efficiency, reduced chairside time for hard tissue removal, and lighter weight than electric handpieces. The latest evolution in Hybrid Air-electric handpiece design is the Stylus ATC by Midwest (ATC refers to adaptive torque control). A sensor in the handpiece tubing is used in this system to control a valve that continuously modifies the amount of air pressure passing through the turbine.

Based on speed, the global dental handpiece market is segmented into high-speed and low-speed. 

The high-speed segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.19% during the forecast period. The high-speed handpiece is usually air-driven, ranging from 200,000 rpm to 400,000 rpm. The speed of the handpiece depends on the pressure of the air supply, the turbine's size, and the turbine's configuration, such as an impeller, spindle, and bearings. Most of the vendors offer high-speed handpieces with small and large head versions. Smaller versions have miniature sizes providing advantages like better visibility and easier access, especially concerning children. Large versions have the advantage of higher torque and better cutting power.

The low-speed handpiece has a standard length and operates with an inbuilt motor ranging from 10,000 to 80,000 rpm. Its features vary in construction material, burr attachment, design, air/water nozzle, handpiece weight, and angle design. Most low-speed handpieces provide high torque to give necessary power at a lower speed. It is used intraoral (in removing soft decay, finishing, and polishing of resto oral (trimming, removing particles, and contouring of orthodontic appliances).

Based on end-user, the global dental handpiece market is bifurcated into dental clinics, hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers. 

The dental clinic segment dominates the global market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.13% over the forecast period. Dental clinics are privately owned healthcare centers specialized in oral health. As opposed to hospitals, dental clinics have limited resources. Dental clinics are smaller in size and have fewer operation theaters and beds for patients. The growing number of professional dentists working in dental clinics is majorly influencing the segment's growth in the global dental handpieces market. In the U.S., more than 200 thousand dentists worked in clinics in 2019, according to the American Dental Association. This is about a 10% rise in the number of dentists in the U.S. in 2018. The growing number of dentists in the clinics improves the facilities offered in those clinics, which attracts more patients. This, in turn, increases the sale of dental equipment to the clinics.

Many multispecialty hospitals have departments for dental care, and many dental hospitals specialize in dental care. These hospitals require equipment in bulk due to their sheer scale. Normally, they have bigger and multiple operation theaters and several wards, with more than ten beds in each ward. Patients generally tend to visit hospitals when they suffer from any health conditions. The preference for hospitals over any other healthcare center to diagnose and treat health issues is among the significant drivers for the growth of this segment in the global dental handpiece market. Moreover, the number of initiatives in government hospitals regarding oral health is also boosting the growth of the segment in the market.

Recent Developments

• March 2023- DCI and NSK offered handpiece bundles with a one-year warranty extension and additional savings. A press release states that DCI is a manufacturer of dental parts, whereas NSK is a manufacturer of dental rotary instruments. The two companies have collaborated to offer a comprehensive selection of DCI Edge delivery units and a selection of NSK electric and air-driven handpiece bundles straight from the manufacturer.

• May 2023- J. MORITA USA, the global authority in Endodontics, introduced the Tri Auto ZX2+, an updated endodontic handpiece with an integrated apex locator. This cordless unit now supports reciprocation files, and its Optimum Glide Path 2 (OGP2) mode further improves safety and usability.