Global Digital Impression Standalone Scanners Market Is Estimated to Witness High Growth Owing to the Increasing Digitalization Trend and the Growing Dental Industry
Global digital impression standalone scanners market is estimated to be valued at US$ 283.6 Mn in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast period (2024-2031). Furthermore, rising adoption of digital dentistry is also fueling the market growth.
Market Dynamics:
The growth of the global digital impression standalone scanners market is driven by the increasing digitalization trend in dentistry and growing dental industry. Dentists are increasingly adopting digital impression systems over traditional impression materials owing to benefits such as enhanced accuracy, reduced operational costs, and improved workflow efficiency. Additionally, digital scanners help dentists detect oral health issues at an early stage, thereby improving patient outcomes. The growing demand for cosmetic and prosthodontics dental procedures from the rising middle-class population is also driving the uptake of digital impression scanners globally. Manufacturers are rapidly launching innovative standalone scanners with advanced features such as improved scanning speed and precision to capitalize on the lucrative growth opportunities in the market. However, the high costs associated with digital scanners and lack of reimbursement in some countries may restrain the market growth to some extent over the forecast period.
Rising Demand for Dental Implant Procedures is Driving Growth in the Market
The increasing demand for dental implant procedures globally is driving significant growth in the digital impression standalone scanners market. Dental implants require highly accurate digital impressions to scan the oral cavity and design prosthetics that precisely fit the implant placement. Standalone scanners are able to capture highly detailed 3D scans of dental arches comfortably and efficiently for implant planning and guided surgery procedures. With rising awareness about dental implants and their advantages over other tooth replacement options, more patients are opting for the treatment. This is fueling the need for digital impression solutions in the dental industry.
Advances in Intraoral Scanning Technology are Expanding Applications
Continuous technological advancements are another key factor propelling the digital impression standalone scanners market growth. Scanner manufacturers are integrating innovative imaging solutions, sophisticated optics, and advanced software in their devices. This is enhancing scan accuracy, shortening procedure duration, improving the user experience, and expanding handling abilities. For instance, updated cameras and optics allow high-definition 3D scans of full dental arches in under 20 seconds. Similarly, improved hardware designs have made scanners smaller, lightweight and portable for easy intraoral movement. Software advancements enable capturing fine embrasure detail, subgingival margins and palatal contours with greater ease and precision. As a result, standalone scanners are being used beyond dental implant planning for digital orthodontics, CAD/CAM restorations, surgical guides, and diagnostic procedures. The expanded application base is driving higher spending on standalone scanners.
Cost of Devices Relative to Chair-side Systems Acts as Restraint
The higher upfront cost of standalone intraoral scanners compared to chair-side solutions is a key restraint hampering their adoption, especially among individual dentists and small dental practices. While major advantages like independence, mobile scanning and increased workflow efficiency offset ongoing licensing and maintenance fees of chair-side options, the higher device acquisition cost presents a barrier. On the other hand, chair-side systems offer competitive monthly subscription plans that include software upgrades, free device swaps and service support. This flexible pay-per-use pricing model makes chair-side scanners more attractive for cost-conscious dentists. With affordability being a deciding factor, standalone scanners face limited demand from smaller practices as long as the pricing differential persists.
Requirements for Learning Curve and Additional Training Restrain Growth
Another challenge restricting the standalone scanners market expansion is the learning curve and additional training associated with efficiently operating these advanced digital devices. While not difficult to learn basic intraoral scanning, achieving optimal scanning protocols, techniques and proficiency takes considerable practice time under the guidance of an experienced mentor or with third-party coaching programs. This initial training period carries both time and cost implications which strain the budgets of dental practices, especially those new to digital workflows. Additionally, frequent software upgrades necessitate continuing education to stay updated on technology changes and maximize scanning performance. These restraints discourage some dentists who prefer the ease of plug-and-play chair-side systems over standalone scanners requiring a steeper technical learning phase. Until basic scanning skills acquisition is simplified through streamlined tutorials and refresher courses, this restraint will endure to an extent.
Rise of Dental Tourism in Developing Nations Spurs Opportunity
Growing dental tourism in Asia Pacific and Latin America is a huge market potential for standalone scanner providers. Developing nations like India, Thailand, Mexico and Costa Rica are attracting large numbers of international patients seeking high-quality yet relatively affordable dental treatments, especially implants, veneers, crowns and orthodontics care. Since these medical tourism destinations lack sufficient domestic demand currently, standalone scanner adoption is low. However, as dental clinics look to upgrade facilities and technologies to elevate services matching international standards, digital impression solutions provide an opportunity. Catering standalone devices, training, and service support specifically for these emerging tourism epicenters can help tap the largely untapped markets. Doing so establishes early-mover advantages and positions providers to grow with developing regional dental industries.
Key Developments:
- In February 2024, KaVo Kerr, a leading dental equipment manufacturer renowned for its innovative solutions in the dental sector, merged with a dental imaging technology provider to enhance its scanner capabilities. This strategic merger is intended to bolster KaVo Kerr's market position by integrating advanced imaging technologies into its product lineup.
- In June 2023, Medit, a prominent provider of dental 3D scanners and digital dentistry solutions, launched a new extraoral scanner designed to improve workflow efficiency in dental practices. This innovative scanner aims to streamline the scanning process, enabling dental professionals to boost productivity and enhance patient care.
- In January 2023, Carestream Dental, a leading provider of dental imaging and software solutions, expanded its product portfolio to include portable digital impression scanners. This new offering is designed to improve the efficiency of dental practices by providing a flexible and convenient method for capturing high-quality digital impressions.
- In November 2022, Dentsply Sirona, a global leader in dental products and technologies, collaborated with 3Shape, a Danish developer of 3D scanners and CAD/CAM software solutions, to integrate their scanning technology with digital workflows. This partnership seeks to improve the accessibility and efficiency of dental practices by facilitating better integration between 3Shape’s TRIOS intraoral scanner and Dentsply Sirona’s SureSmile Aligners.
- In August 2021, Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign system of clear aligners along with iTero intraoral scanners and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, acquired exocad GmbH, a notable dental technology firm specializing in CAD/CAM software. This acquisition, valued at approximately $418 million, aims to broaden Align's product offerings and enhance its digital platform for orthodontic and restorative workflows.
Key Player:
3Shape A/S, Align Technology, Inc., Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. (Dentsply Sirona), Planmeca Oy, Carestream Dental LLC, KaVo Kerr, Medit Corporation, Cadiant, Amann Girrbach AG, MyRay (Cattani S.p.A.), MouthWatch, LLC, Zirkonzahn, Dental Wings Inc., iTero (Align Technology), and Vatech Co., Ltd.
