The global dental 3D printing market is expected to see vigorous growth over the next five years, according to a new report from market research firm MarketsandMarkets. The market, valued at $3 billion in 2023, is forecast to reach $6.7 billion by 2028, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%.
Dental 3D printing provides advantages like reduced product development times, higher quality complex components, and mass personalization of dental appliances. The growing elderly population and high rates of dental diseases are also fueling demand for innovative 3D printing solutions. These factors are expected to propel market expansion through 2028.
The report identifies key drivers like the rising prevalence of dental caries and other oral diseases globally. For example, over 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth currently. As more patients seek restorative treatments, the shift toward 3D printed dental prosthetics and implants will likely accelerate.
However, barriers like the substantial upfront investments and steep learning curve associated with additive manufacturing techniques could hamper smaller players’ adoption. The costs of printer materials also exceed those of traditional options, making the value proposition for 3D printing questionable for some end users.
Nonetheless, market leaders anticipate strong tailwinds from the expanding usage of computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing in dentistry. By enabling ultra-precise customization of crowns, bridges, and abutments, CAD/CAM complements 3D printing’s capacity for mass personalization. As these digital techniques see greater integration, the dental industry’s embrace of 3D printing looks set to widen.
The Asia Pacific region is also expected to present lucrative opportunities, with Japan, China, and India at the forefront given their enormous patient pools and aggressive infrastructure development.
Key players currently leading the global dental 3D printing space include 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys Ltd., and Desktop Metal Inc. These companies dominate through their diversified product and service portfolios, as well as their robust sales and distribution networks. Market entrants looking to make inroads will need to emulate such scale and access.
But niche opportunities also abound for startups bringing innovations in materials, software, and printing techniques. Such novel solutions could disruption the status quo rapidly if proven to overcome existing limitations around printer costs, speed, or quality. Partnerships with leading dentistry practitioners and institutions may offer the validation needed for newer technologies to displace today’s standard setters.
As dental care continues its digitization push worldwide, 3D printing looks set to revolutionize treatment personalization and complexity over the coming decade. Both incumbent giants and emerging disruptors have room to capture value in this high-growth market by focusing on customer needs and productive innovation.
