Report Overview

The global clear aligners market was pegged at US$ 3.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 19.7% during the forecast period.

Market Fundamentals 

Clear aligners are orthodontic appliances that straighten teeth without the need of metal braces. They are made of clear plastic. Ideally, each aligner should be worn 22 hours each day for one to two weeks. Although treatment times vary depending on how difficult the anticipated tooth motions are, they generally last 13.5 months. Aligners are taken out for performing daily/routine hygiene regimen. Since clear aligners are constructed of plastic, heated liquids may cause them to warp. 

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Market Dynamics

Factors such as an increasing population of patients suffering from tooth misalignment, increasing technological advances in dental care, and increasing demand for custom clear aligners are driving the market. The main factor behind the growth of the global clear aligners market is that individuals have become more reluctant to go to the orthodontist's office to obtain traditional braces, which has increased the acceptance of clear aligners. Clear aligner technology is rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative to fixed braces for orthodontic teeth because it is an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable choice, and due to social media influence. However, factors such as the high cost of clear aligners, the decline in dentists in emerging markets, and limited coverage of orthodontic treatment can hinder the global clear aligners market growth.

Market Ecosystem

The global clear aligners market has been analyzed from four perspectives: age group, end-user, usage, and region.

Clear Aligners Market by Age-group

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Based on age group, the global clear aligners market has been subdivided into teenagers and adults. The adults’ segment holds the largest revenue share. Oral conditions like malocclusion are very common among people and, in addition to lowering the quality of life, can also cause issues with dentofacial aesthetics, speech, swallowing, and mastication abnormalities, as well as increased susceptibility to trauma and periodontal disease. Today, society places a high value on acceptable aesthetic appearance, including dental appearance. Therefore, the preference for clear aligners is tremendously increasing.  

The teenager’s segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period. This is because many teenagers prefer avoiding discomfort caused by the metal braces and look aesthetically appealing. Also, body image issues are at a constant high among teens, because of which this segment always opts for such options, directly impacting the growth of the clear aligners market. 

Clear Aligners Market by Mode of Dispensing

Based on the mode of dispensing, the global clear aligners market has been divided into dental & orthodontics clinics and hospitals. The dental and orthodontic clinic segment holds the largest revenue share of the clear aligner market and is also expected to register a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This is attributed to practitioners promptly adopting clear aligner systems and being equipped with advanced digital technologies. Private dental clinics have several advantages, some of which include a greater selection of dental treatments, reduced wait times, specialized and high-quality care, and widespread use of the most recent technology and high-quality materials for both diagnosis and treatment. Hence, more and more patients prefer visiting these facilities for treatment, hence contributing to huge return on investments for this segment. 

Clear Aligners Market by Usage

Based on usage, the global clear aligners market is segmented into in-office aligners and at-home aligners. Currently, in-office aligners are dominating the market because of the precision by which the dental professionals customize the aligners, especially in complicated orthodontic cases where professional supervision is required. However, demand for at-home aligners or direct-to-consumer aligners is growing because of the cost-effectiveness and fewer or no in-office appointments. 

Clear Aligners Market by Region 

The clear aligners market is dominated by North America. This is attributed to rising investments in R&D activities, the presence of key market players, and those corporations' efforts to get new patents. The adoption of technologically advanced products is one of the critical factors boosting the clear aligners market. In addition, the demand for invisible aligners due to the focus on aesthetics and favorable reimbursement policies and the presence of highly improved specialized orthodontic clinics drives the clear aligners market. 

Competitive Landscape

Some of the prominent players operating in the market are: -

• 3M Company
• Argen Corporation
• Danaher Corporation 
• Dentsply Sirona, 
• DynaFlex
• Align Technology 
• Patterson Companies Inc. 
• Dentcare Aligners
• Envista Holdings Corporation 
• Institut Straumann AG

Strategic Developments

• In March 2022 Align Technology launched an innovative Invisalign system for orthodontic and restorative dental treatment planning with the integration of CBCT into ClinCheck treatment planning software.
• In July 2021, 3M Oral Care introduced Clarity Aligners Flex + Force: a new aligner system that allows orthodontists to choose between two unique aligner materials in one treatment design, providing patients with a personalized treatment experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Report