Dental Laboratories Market

Market Overview

The global dental laboratories market size was valued at USD 30,384.4 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 47,136.2 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.01% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The dental laboratories market is anticipated to have growth over the forecast period due to technological improvements and government initiatives.

Dental Laboratories are facilities that manufacture dental prostheses, orthodontic appliances, and other dental equipment for dentists. They employ innovative procedures and technology to develop custom-made gadgets tailored to each patient's demands. Dental labs are used in the production of dental prostheses like dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants in the worldwide dental laboratories market. They also sell orthodontic tools, including braces and retainers, and other dental products like splints, mouthguards, and snoring devices. Dentistry laboratories play an important role in the dentistry business, supplying patients with high-quality custom-made dental products for various dental problems and demands.

Market Dynamics

Global Dental Laboratories Market Drivers

Rising Awareness About Oral Hygiene

Periodontal disease and dental caries are prevalent oral conditions that affect a large number of people globally. Periodontal disease and dental cavities affect more than half of the world's population. Governments from many nations and organizations, such as WHO, are launching global programs to enhance oral health. For example, oral health was included in the political statement on universal health coverage in 2019. Moreover, member governments of the United Nations devised initiatives to enhance oral health in the East Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Western Pacific with the help of WHO. Such factors propel market growth.

Increasing Geriatric Population

The rise of dental laboratories is anticipated to be driven by the growing geriatric population in developed and developing countries. There are over 40 million people aged above 65 in the U.S., and the number is expected to double by 2050. Japan has promising growth prospects in this industry owing to its possession of the largest elderly population in the nation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of elderly individuals is projected to reach 22.0% by 2050. The aging process is recognized as the primary risk factor for dental issues. Therefore, the increasing geriatric population is expected to boost the market growth.

Global Dental Laboratories Market Restraint

High Cost

The exorbitant expense associated with dental crowns and dentures could impede market expansion in less developed and developing economies worldwide. For example, the approximate expense for a porcelain crown is approximately USD 1,000, encompassing both the fees charged by the dental clinic and the dental laboratory. Conversely, a full upper or lower denture may have an approximate price of USD 1,654. However, as dental laboratory technologies continue to progress, the prices of these products are decreasing.

Global Dental Laboratories Market Opportunities

Technological Advancements in Dental Laboratory

Rapid technological advancements in the dental laboratories market include CAD/CAM systems, all-ceramic restorations, machines with custom-milled abutment options, the introduction of three laser-sintering systems, electroforming equipment and machines, plasma filtration machines, rapid-wax machine prototypes, and laser-welding systems. Such technological advancements have made dental laboratories work more cost-effective, time-saving, and profitable. Therefore, technological advancements are expected to boost the dental laboratories market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global dental laboratories market share is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global dental laboratories market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period. Key drivers of the market include well-established medical infrastructure and technological advancements in advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as dental lasers, digital radiography, intraoral imaging, and caries diagnosis, which results in minimal blood loss, less pain, lower chair time, and faster recovery. Moreover, the increasing adoption of dental care services coupled with a growing number of dental clinics and practitioners is fueling the growth of the dental laboratories market.

Furthermore, the increase in the number of adults seeking routine dental care, especially older adults, is one of the primary elements contributing to market growth over the forecast period. An increasing number of collaborations between research organizations and other healthcare providers is anticipated to propel market growth in the coming years. The larger share of this region can be attributed to increasing government funding and rising awareness about dental care and oral hygiene. These factors will further boost the dental laboratories market over the forecast period.

Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5% over the forecast period. This growth can be due to key factors such as the increasing adoption of advanced treatment options by dentists, including the usage of dental membrane and dental bone graft materials and tissue regeneration, which are among the highly advanced versions of dental implants designed for orthodontic applications, and growing dental tourism across the region owing to various benefits, such as advancements in technology, cost-effectiveness, and availability of experienced dentists. Dental tourism is growing by approximately 15% each year. The dental laboratories market in this region is expected to grow owing to the high prevalence of oral disorders due to unhealthy habits such as alcohol consumption.

Furthermore, favorable government initiatives undertaken by the European Union to fund researchers for developing innovative dental technologies, such as laser treatment for oral cancer, to minimize complications of complex surgeries are fueling the market growth. Moreover, the rapid adoption of advanced technology for dental procedures that are cost-effective, time-saving, and have fewer health risks and the presence of a large number of key important players in the region are among the factors expected to boost market growth during the forecast period.

The Asia-Pacific growth can be attributed to the increasing geriatric population, availability of low-cost treatment options, growing dental tourism, and increasing adoption of cosmetic dental implants. Similarly, the development of innovative technologies, such as CAD/CAM-based dental restorations, and increased knowledge about dental treatments are projected to drive market expansion throughout the forecast period. Increasing government initiatives and growing awareness about dental care and oral health are among the factors expected to aid regional growth.

In Latin America, factors such as the presence of major market players, increasing healthcare investments for adopting novel and advanced technology, epidemiological shifts, and growing dental disease burden contribute to market growth in the region. Countries such as Brazil and Mexico provide high-quality dental services and implant treatment at very low costs compared to Western countries. The senior population in the region is growing due to decreasing mortality. Moreover, the growing number of international players and rapid clinical advancements drive the market. Various factors, such as poor reimbursement policies and relatively weak healthcare infrastructure in some countries, are expected to restrain market growth.

In the Middle East and Africa, due to a number of variables, including affluent living and spending standards, a well-established healthcare system, and a growing awareness of aesthetics among younger people in nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The increasing senior population and high prevalence of oral disorders, coupled with the increasing trend of cosmetic dentistry, are among the factors boosting the market. Moreover, growing government initiatives to increase reimbursement coverage for dental surgeries are some of the factors expected to boost market penetration during the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global dental laboratories market is bifurcated into products and equipment types.

Based on product, the global dental laboratories market is bifurcated into restorative, orthodontic, endodontic, oral care, and implant.

The oral care segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period. Dentures are among the oral care products. In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in public awareness of oral health. The increasing elderly population and escalating instances of dental caries, tooth loss, and periodontal illnesses will enhance the growth of this particular market. For instance, according to the World Bank, the 65-year-old and above population accounted for nearly 8.4% of the global population in 2016 and reached 9.3% in 2020. This is expected to propel segment growth over the forecast period.

Based on equipment type, the global dental laboratories market is bifurcated into dental radiology equipment, dental lasers, systems and parts, laboratory machines, hygiene maintenance devices, etc.

The dental radiology equipment segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.47% over the forecast period. Major factors driving segment growth are the increasing prevalence of dental disorders, growing attention to oral hygiene, high occurrence of oral malignancies, and increasing adoption of digital dental radiology and number of dental surgeries. There has been an increase in demand for modern, artificial intelligence-driven technology for accurate and quick diagnosis. As a result, demand for dental diagnostic imaging equipment is expected to increase.

Furthermore, the segment is further segmented into two broad categories, i.e., intraoral and extraoral radiology. Intraoral radiography equipment is mainly used for diagnosis and precision dentistry procedures, while extraoral is generally used for surgical and emergency diagnostic procedures. Moreover, new digital X-ray systems significantly reduce the processing time, owing to the use of wireless technology to transfer images and eliminate the chemical processing stage. These advantages of digital radiology equipment are anticipated to drive their market demand.

Recent Developments

• May 2023- A new Indian dental lab was started that employs AI to automate several dental prosthesis production procedures.

• February 2023- Glidewell Laboratories, one of the world's largest dental labs, announced its intentions to buy National Dentex Labs. The deal would establish a USD 1 billion-plus dental lab.