Abstract
WinterGreen Research announces that it has a new study on Worldwide
nanotechnology dental implant markets. Worldwide dental implants are poised to
achieve significant growth as patients become aware of the health benefits
achieved from having viable teeth. Dental implants are in the category of
optional surgery and represent the type of consumer spending that is postponed
in challenging economic environments.
The companies participating in the dental implant market have found ways to
manage infection, providing a higher implant success rate. Implantable devices
are more stable in the mouth, permitting fewer dental implant failures. 69% of
adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident,
gum disease, a failed root canal, or tooth decay. By age 74, 26% of adults
have lost all of their permanent teeth. With the number of Americans over 55
growing by 60% in the next 20 years there is plenty of U.S. market
opportunity. The baby boomer generation buying power exceeds $2 trillion in
2009.
The leading six dental implant manufacturers control of the market is based on
the need for marketing in this segment, with Nobel Biocare holding the number
one market position and Straumann holding a share of almost one-fifth and
ranking as the firm number-two player. A large number of small manufacturers
earlier accounting for a third of the market have shrunk to 14% of it.
Dental implant market innovations are those that position the vendor companies
to meet aesthetic demands and increase clinician productivity. Positioning for
profitable business patient care delivery can be challenging for clinicians.
Tooth loss, gum and bone disease affect millions of people worldwide, on every
continent, in every age group. Globally, several hundred million people are
missing one or more teeth. More than 40 million people are fully edentulous in
the Western developed world. These numbers are substantially higher in Asia,
Africa and other parts of the world.
Worldwide, weaknesses in the global economy and sagging consumer confidence
have led to an unprecedented slowdown in the dental market. Reduced income has
kept many patients away from the dentist. People with steady incomes fear
losing their jobs and are not spending even if they can afford to. Elective
procedures are being postponed.
General practitioners are tending to treat patients in house with conventional
alternative treatments, rather than referring them for implant treatment,
despite its superiority. Customers are reducing stocks. Dental labs are more
hesitant to invest in dental equipment, such as CAD/CAM scanners.
Dental implant market innovations are those that position the vendor companies
to meet aesthetic demands and increase clinician productivity. Positioning for
profitable business patient care delivery can be challenging for clinicians.
Tooth loss, gum and bone disease affect millions of people worldwide, on every
continent, in every age group. Globally, several hundred million people are
missing one or more teeth. More than 40 million people are fully edentulous in
the Western developed world. These numbers are substantially higher in Asia,
Africa and other parts of the world.
For 2008 the global dental implant market was 2.3 billion Euros. The market
for crowns and bridges is 3 billion Euros. These estimates size the
opportunity of the global restorative and esthetic dentistry market. Nobel
Biocare is the clear market leader in this market. The outlook for 2009 is one
of a demanding market environment. Deteriorating economic conditions in most
markets continue to impact dental implant markets because consumers have less
discretionary income. Visibility in economic recovery time remains low.
Nanotechnology Impacts The Dental Implant Market One of the most active and
important current areas of research and application of nanotechnology is in
the field of life sciences and healthcare. Many industry and business analysts
now expect nanotechnology to revolutionize the pharmaceutical, medical
devices, diagnostics and imaging sectors with annual markets of billions of
pounds likely within five-ten years.
According to Susan Eustis, lead author of the study, gNanotechnology has begun
to impact the dental implant market in a dramatic manner. By increasing the
complexity of the surface topography with the addition of nano-scale calcium
phosphate (CAP) crystals new capabilities are available to clinicians. Surface
topography plays a determinant role in the bone bonding phenomenon.h
Through a discrete crystalline deposition (DCD"!) Process in which nano-scale
crystals of calcium phosphate are added to the BioMet 3i OSSEOTITER Dual Acid
Etched Surface, a topographic complexity at the sub-micron scale is
established. Changes in the surface improve healing and represent dramatic
breakthroughs in technology.
Smaller market participants are active in their national markets and compete
mainly on price, with limited investments in R&D, training, education,
marketing and sales. In countries like Brazil, Russia and India these
companies hold over 50% of the market. With the Internet evolving as a
channel, larger participants gain market visibility and strategic advantage on
return on investment for the dentist.
Expanding use of dental implants by dental surgeons and general practitioners
indicates a growth market as soon as consumer confidence is stabilized.
Markets for dental implants at $3.4 billion in 2008 are anticipated to reach
$8.1 billion by 2015, growing in response to demand for better teeth
worldwide. The technology is achieving a maturity level that makes the
implants last longer and work in a more reliable manner, stimulating demand
from an aging population. This market is poised for rapid growth as soon as
the global economy recovers. The technology is more mature, leading to
implants that last longer.
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