Freedonia Market Research Analyzes Dental Product Industry

Demand for dental products (excluding equipment) in the US is forecast to rise 4.5 percent per year to nearly $11 billion in 2012, aided by favorable population trends, as well as a continued interest in cosmetic dentistry applications.  A greater number of individuals are viewing oral care as a requirement for good overall health, providing added opportunities for a variety of dental products. These and other trends, including market share and company profiles, are presented in Dental Products & Materials, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. 

The repair and restorative segment will show solid growth, due in part to the over 55 population, as older individuals are more likely to require such products as crowns, bridges and dentures.  Individuals are increasingly likely to engage in cosmetic procedures in order to maintain a youthful appearance.  Cosmetic procedures are also becoming increasingly important to dental professionals as these treatments are highly profitable.  The continued introduction of advanced over-the-counter dental products will also provide opportunities through the forecast period.

In 2007, professional dental products accounted for 65 percent of total dental product demand.  Professional dental products will grow faster than the consumer segment and comprise two-thirds of demand in 2012.  The professional dentistry industry continues to increasingly focus on aesthetics, due in part to the falling incidence of tooth decay as well as greater profit opportunities.  Cosmetic dental products such as ceramic fillings, and clear or tooth colored orthodontic appliances and tooth colored veneers will achieve above-average gains.  Implants will also achieve strong growth, not only for aesthetic purposes, but also due to their use as an alternative permanent securing method for crowns, bridges and dentures.  By 2012, implants will exceed $1 billion.

Growth in the smaller consumer market for dental products will continue to be below average due to market maturity, although there will be pockets of healthy growth opportunities.  In general, new product development is critical to gains in market value.  For example, toothpaste demand grew in the mid-1990s, spurred by the introduction of tartar control toothpaste, while more recently tooth whitening formulations have provided growth momentum. Toothpaste will continue to account for 60 percent of the consumer market through 2012. 

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.