Clear Aligners Market

Clear Aligners Market Size (2023 to 2028)

As per our research report, the global clear aligners market is growing at a CAGR of 21.2% from 2023 to 2028. As a result, the market size is estimated to be worth USD 10.55 billion by 2028 from USD 4.03 billion in 2023. 

Clear Aligners Market Share Insights:

• Based on the patient's age, the adult segment held the largest share of the global clear aligners market in 2022.
• Based on the end-user, the hospital segment captured the major share of the global market in 2022.
• The North American market occupied 40% of the worldwide market share in 2022.
• The APAC market accounted for a substantial share of the global market in 2022 and is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Using clear aligners for consistent patients has prompted more productive and successful treatment results for dental patients than braces alone. Clear aligners are more comfortable than conventional braces and are intended to help shift the teeth into their legitimate position. Like braces, clear aligners apply continuous pressure on the teeth to give direction to the tooth development without metal wires or sections. The aligners are made of solid plastic material and are manufactured to fit individuals in a personalized manner. Aligners move each tooth into the correct positions until the ideal development is accomplished. Since the Tooth Positioner (TP Orthodontics) was present in 1944, removable machines such as clear aligners have been used for decades to coordinate orthodontic tooth improvements. Clear aligner treatment has been a piece of orthodontic practice for quite a long time; however, it has grown significantly since the presentation of Invisalign machines (Align Technology) in 1998, becoming an inevitably regular expansion to the orthodontic armamentarium.

Aligners are supposed to be worn 20 hours daily for the best results. Each aligner is worn for three weeks before changing to a new one. The length of treatment with aligners relies on the seriousness of each case. Commonly, aligner treatment can be as short as three weeks or up to a half year. Generally, aligners offer a lot more limited treatment than conventional supports. Clear aligners are an incredible option for patients needing a straighter grin but not wearing customary metal supports. 

Additionally, aligners are even more helpful for patients with past orthodontic treatment who need minor adjustments to their grins. There are a few benefits to utilizing clear aligners: Clear aligners are removable, so it is simpler for you to brush and floss after dinners; clear aligners are simpler to keep clean, Clear aligners are agreeable and more opposed to disturbing your gums and cheeks, Clear aligners can forestall tooth wear from granulating.

MARKET DRIVERS:

The growing demand for aesthetic orthodontic treatment is expected to propel the growth of the clear aligners market.

The adoption of aesthetic orthodontic treatment is growing continuously. People are willing to choose the more discreet and aesthetically appealing options to move their teeth toward the desired position, such as clear aligners. Recent studies say that patients are much more comfortable using clear aligners than traditional braces. Many healthcare providers believe that clear aligners provide improved patient care, convenience, and satisfaction. In addition, the benefits offered by clear aligners, such as comfort and improved oral health, boost the adoption of clear aligners.

The growing malocclusion patient population is anticipated to drive the clear aligners market growth.

Malocclusion is one of the common dental disorders, and millions of people worldwide are facing issues with malocclusion. Factors such as changing dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and genetic predisposition are majorly increasing the prevalence of malocclusion. As per the statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 20% to 30% of the world's population suffers from malocclusion. According to the data published by the American Association of Orthodontists, many people in the United States have been taking orthodontic treatment, most of which are for malocclusion. Likewise, the growing number of people suffering from malocclusion is expected to result in an increasing demand for clear aligners and the market's growth rate.

The growing demand for cosmetic dentistry is another factor accelerating the clear aligners market growth.

The trend of cosmetic dentistry has been growing steadily over the last few years and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.88% between 2022 to 2027, which is expected to favor the growth of the clear aligners market in the coming years. Smile appearance has become one of the people's priorities, and many people are showing high interest in orthodontic treatments to improve their appearance. For this concern, clear aligners are an effective solution are they are visible and offer a discreet way to straighten the teeth. According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 86% of the survey participants were willing to get their teeth aligned, and 71% agreed that clear aligner are a better choice than traditional braces considering their invisible nature.

In addition, factors such as increasing awareness of oral care, rapid adoption of technological advancements in the development of efficient, comfortable, and precise clear aligners, and increased accessibility of clear aligners are estimated to contribute to the growth of the clear aligners market. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of clear aligners and the rising demand for non-invasive procedures in dental treatments are expected to fuel the market’s growth rate.

MARKET RESTRAINTS:

On the other end, there are some factors that are showcasing a negative impact on the growth of the clear aligners market. For example, clear aligners are not advisable for people suffering from severe malocclusion issues, and such patients must undergo an extensive orthodontic treatment solution. In addition, high costs associated with clear aligners are expected to hamper the market’s growth rate. Due to these costs, the adoption of clear aligners is limited in some countries. Still, the availability of clear aligners is poor in rural areas of some countries, which is estimated to dilute the overall market's growth rate. Furthermore, factors such as longer treatment times with clear aligners, compliance issues, and the possibility of relapse are anticipated to impact the market’s growth rate negatively.

Impact of COVID-19 on the clear aligners market:

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a significant mixed impact on the clear aligners market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental professionals have used technological solutions such as teledentistry and virtual consultations to address the needs of the patients. However, due to the restrictions imposed by several governments, such as lockdowns and reduced business hours, there was limited scope to have in-person dental appointments. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many dental clinics and hospitals have delayed and canceled all non-essential treatment procedures, including clear aligner treatment procedures. Due to this, the number of people who planned to take clear aligner treatment could not go ahead, resulting in a decline in sales for clear aligner products and clear aligner treatment procedures, especially in the beginning days of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, many people have shown interest in taking in-person healthcare appointments to address their dental needs, which has favored the market slightly. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought several changes in the supply chain system and manufacturing activities of clear aligners that resulted negatively in the market growth at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the manufacturers of clear aligners have found ways to produce clear aligners with new safety guidelines, which resulted in the reduction of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clear aligners market. Likewise, the clear aligners market has been impacted positively and negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, considering the reduced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global market for clear aligners is expected to pose a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This market research report on the global clear aligners market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on the patient, end-user, and region age.

Clear Aligners Market – By Age of the Patient:

• Teenager
• Adults

Based on the age of the patient, the adult segment captured the leading share of the global clear aligners market in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The segment's growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for aesthetic orthodontic treatments, rising awareness of the benefits of clear aligners, the growing demand for cosmetic dentistry, and the rising prevalence of malocclusion among adults.

On the other hand, the teenager segment has grown substantially over the last few years and is expected to register a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. An increased number of orthodontic treatment procedures happening among the teenage age group has been noticed in recent years, and this is expected to continue in the coming years, which is one of the major factors propelling segmental growth. Furthermore, the growing teenage population suffering from malocclusion, increasing awareness among people regarding orthodontic treatment options and rising desire for aesthetic treatment options among teenagers are further anticipated to contribute to the segment’s growth rate. In addition, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has favored this segment. Furthermore, with the closure of schools and limited scope for social activities due to the lockdowns and social distancing measures, teenagers have spent more time and given an opportunity for personal hygiene which resulted in the increasing number of clear aligner treatment procedures and boosted the demand for clear aligner products.

Clear Aligners Market – By End-User:

• Hospitals
• Dental & Orthodontic Clinics

Based on end-user, the hospital segment had a slight upper hand on the dental and orthodontic clinics segment in 2022. Factors include the rising adoption of clear aligner treatments in hospital settings, the growing patient population of malocclusion visiting hospitals for treatment needs, and raising awareness of the advantages of using clear aligners. Patients believe that hospitals are the best destination for improved patient comfort, reduced treatment times, and enhanced treatment outcomes for dental issues, further contributing to the segment's growth. In addition, hospitals have better access to the equipment and medical devices required to execute the clear aligner treatment procedures, which is favoring the segment’s growth rate.

On the other hand, the dental and orthodontic clinics segment accounted for a substantial share of the global clear aligners market in 2021 and is expected to have better occupancy than the hospital segment during the forecast period. The segment’s growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of clear aligner treatment by dental and orthodontic clinics and the growing demand for cosmetic dentistry. People’s awareness towards visiting dental and orthodontic clinics to address their oral issues has been increasing over the last few years and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years, which is expected to boost the segment’s growth rate.

Clear Aligners Market – By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Based on the region, in 2021, North America accounted for around 40% of the global market. Factors such as the high prevalence of dental diseases, malocclusions, and the growing popularity of Hollywood smiles are driving the market in this region. According to a survey by the American Dental Association, 85.0% of people in the United States prioritize dental health and consider it an essential part of overall health. In the United States, four million people wear braces, 25% of whom are adults. The introduction of clear aligners has interest from international companies due to high demand in the U.S and Canada and their local presence. Also, rising healthcare expenditure and the development of dental machines have boosted orthodontic treatment cases in this region.

Regions such as Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe are expected to witness the fastest growth rate in the global market during the forecast period. Growing awareness among the population about new technologies in dentistry, high incidence of dental disorders, growing popularity of dental tourism, and increasing healthcare expenditure are the important factors that will help the market growth in these regions. For example, according to a study published in the Global Health Journal, the dental prevalence in China was over 50% in all age groups. In addition, the dentist-population relationship has improved considerably over the past two decades. For example, according to an article, in 2014, in India, the dentist-to-population ratio had reached a higher number of 1:10,000 from 1:300,000 back in the 1960s.

The Latin American, Middle East, and African regional markets are anticipated to show low growth due to these regions' lack of qualified dentists and poor awareness. However, improving dental care infrastructure in emerging economies, positive dental education, and free dental camps are expected to boost the market growth.

KEY MARKET PARTICIPANTS:

Major players operating in the global clear aligners market include 3M, DynaFlex, Dentsply Sirona, Inc., TP Orthodontics Inc., SmileDirectClub, Clarus Company, Straumann Group, align technology, Danaher Corporation, Argen Corporation, Henry Schein, Inc., Great Lakes Dental Technologies, 3D Predict, Clear Correct LLC, Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, SmileDirectClub, and exceeded.

Recent Market Developments:

• In January 2023, With a global distribution network and more than 200 workers, Eon Dental became a market-leading supplier of clear aligner solutions. The company recently revealed its accomplishments and future expansion goals. The company, which has its headquarters in Amman, Jordan, has witnessed rapid development and just closed a $26 million Series B fundraising round to support its growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the US, Europe, and Asia.
• In December 2022, With its sponsorship of the 3rd International Saudi Orthodontic Clear Aligner Conference, Align Technology, Inc. ("Align"), a leading international medical device company that develops, produces and markets the Invisalign system of clear aligners, iTeroTM intraoral scanners, and exocadTM CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry reaffirmed its dedication to the Middle East.
• In January 2023, Glowsmiles Dental LLP announced to purchase of the whole Klearaligner transparent aligner company. The agreement's terms weren't made public. However, the goal of the acquisition is to increase Glowsmiles' production and expand its market share in India. With the acquisition, Glowsmiles can now produce about 1500 aligners every day. By 2024, the business hopes to have reached a minimum daily capacity of 3000 aligners.