Dental 3D Printing To Be Valued at $7.9 Billion

Research firm Markets and Markets recently released its new report on dental 3D printing, which is expected to generate $7.9 billion by 2027, growing at an annual rate of 20.2% from this year. This study is divided into the most common applications, products & services, end users and regions where 3D technologies are most used. It is clear that more and more industry professionals are using service providers and outsourcing the production of 3D printed dental devices. Though, stereolithography remains the most widely used technology because of its ability to produce highly detailed parts with excellent surface finish.

We have already covered numerous studies on dental 3D printing, all showing promising growth rates for the sector. It must be said that 3D technologies offer very competitive advantages for market players, including the ability to produce custom, on-demand devices in a variety of materials, from polymer to metal to ceramic. However, the Markets and Markets study shows that light curing remains the most popular process, accounting for 53% of the market by 2021. SLS, PolyJet and FDM are next. The finesse of the resin processes would probably explain this statistic: the user can design implants, prostheses and guides with a high resolution. It should also be noted that the technology remains fairly accessible and easy to learn, which could remove some barriers.

3D technologies now offer multiple solutions in terms of materials (photo credits: EOS)

Users and Applications of Dental 3D Printing

The report looks at dental specialties that use additive manufacturing, dividing its study into three segments: prosthodontics, orthodontics and implantology. Prosthodontics accounted for 55% of the market in 2021; this field specializes in the restoration or cosmetic replacement of damaged or missing teeth with fixed or removable dentures. This market share can be explained by a growing demand for crowns and bridges due to a prevalence of cavities and tooth loss. Thanks to additive manufacturing, dental professionals can offer custom-made solutions, perfectly adapted to each patient. Implantology is expected to have the highest growth rate at 21.5% between 2022 and 2027.