Clear Aligners Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Age (Adults, Teens), By End-Use (Hospitals, Standalone Practices, Group Practices, Others), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global clear aligners market size was valued at USD 4.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.08% from 2023 to 2030. Clear aligners are a series of tight-fitting custom-made mouthpieces or orthodontic systems that are useful in correcting misaligned or crooked teeth. Clear aligners are virtually discreet and removable alternatives to braces designed around patients’ convenience and flexibility. Factors such as the growing patient population suffering from malocclusions, rising technological advancements in dental treatment, and growing demand for customized clear aligners are driving the overall market growth.

The pandemic had a positive impact on the market globally and key players recovered with high revenues in 2020 as compared to previous years. For instance, according to Dental Tribune, Align Technology sold a record 1.6 million cases of clear aligners in 2020 as compared to 1.5 million cases in 2019.

The company also stated that the adoption of Invisalign aligners by adults and teenagers increased by 36.7% and 38.7%, respectively in 2020 and the adoption of aligners among teens or younger patients was highest during the pandemic. The major factor for the growth of this marker was that people were more reluctant to go to an orthodontist’s office to get traditional teeth braces which increased the adoption of clear aligners. The advent of pandemics helped the industry prosper in terms of adoption, sales, and revenue, and this trend is expected to continue in the future.

In the advent of escalating dental disorders, advancements like 3D impression systems, additive fabrication, Nickel and Copper-Titanium Wires, digital scanning technology, CAD/CAM appliances, temporary anchorage devices, and incognito lingual braces, clear aligners are among the latest advancements that are making orthodontic treatments more efficient, predictable and effective. Dental treatments have become customized and technologies like a digital impression system like iTero by Align Technology is assisting in developing accurate and customized clear aligners systems to treat mild to moderate misalignment conditions.

These invisible aligners are developed through virtual digital models, computer-aided design (CAD-CAM), and thermoformed plastic materials like copolyester or polycarbonate plastic. Inconvenience caused by the metal and ceramic braces and the long-term gum sensitivity has caused an increased adoption of clear aligners by patients and dentists. The aligner is designed for the wearer’s comfort and is flexible. According to Dental Tribune, clear aligners technology has quickly become an increasingly popular alternative to fixed appliances for tooth straightening, since it is an aesthetically appealing and comfortable choice. Invisalign is the largest producer of clear aligners, and other brands include Clear Correct, Inman Aligner, and Smart Moves. However, factors like the high cost of clear aligners, less number of dentists in emerging areas, and limited insurance coverage for orthodontic treatments are likely to hinder the market growth.

The advent of COVID-19 was eminent on the dental market as the majority of elective procedures were postponed. As dentistry is considered an elective and high-contact service, most of the dental practices were closed. However, In the U.S., 27 states allowed dental offices to open for elective care by May 2020, and by June around 48 states opened for elective dental care. The American Dental Association predicted spending projections to be more optimistic in the future due to resuming of dental practices and recovering patient volume. The ADA also predicted that dental expenditures will grow and bounce back completely to pre-pandemic levels or 80% of pre-pandemic volume by October 2020 or January 2021.

Age Insights

The adults segment held the largest market share of 61.2% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Based on age, the market is segmented into adults and teens. Dental conditions like malocclusion are widely prevalent amongst the population and apart from affecting the quality of life, it can also lead to problems such as impaired dentofacial aesthetics, disturbances of oral function, such as mastication, swallowing, and speech, and greater susceptibility to trauma and periodontal disease. Nowadays, acceptable aesthetic appearance including dental appearance plays a vital role in society. An increasing concern for dental appearance is seen more among the adolescent population. Aligner therapy is one of the fastest-growing areas in orthodontics, driven significantly by patients who regard it as a more comfortable, convenient, and discreet alternative to fixed appliances.

However, the teens segment is expected to reciprocate high growth over the forecast period. The FDA approved, Invisalign clear aligners developed by Align Technology, have been used in the treatment of 5 million people as of 2018 and worldwide Invisalign shipments to teenagers were about 87.1 thousand cases as of 2018. As per NCBI, the prevalence of Class I and Class II malocclusions are highest among the population, and the adoption of clear aligners that is effective in treating these conditions has gradually increased. This is because many teenagers prefer avoiding discomfort caused by the metal braces and also look aesthetically appealing. For these reasons, teenagers are highly opting for clear aligners to get treated for their dental conditions. To date, over 1 million teenagers have started orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners.

Material Type Insights

The polyurethane segment held the largest market share of 76.7% in 2022 owing to the presence of invisalign clear aligners that are made of polyurethane material type. Based on material type, the market is segmented into polyurethane,plastic polyethylene terephthalate glycol, and others. When employed as a component of an aligner, polyurethane offers a number of advantages. It can be used for both hard and soft parts because of its wide range of characteristics. This substance can be used to make products that are so powerful that teeth can be pushed into alignment. While still being soft enough to be worn for extended durations.

For aligners to work, it’s essential that patients keep them in and don’t remove them. These aligners also won’t get damaged from common processes such as grinding and biting. Furthermore, polyurethane (PU) PU foils are considered to offer more benefits than PETG when used for aligners production.

End-use Insights

The standalone practitioners segment held the highest market share of 52.7% in 2022 and is also reciprocating significant CAGR over the forecast period. The end-use segment is divided into hospitals, standalone practices, group practices, and others. The standalone segment reciprocated the largest share in 2022 as standalone practitioners are readily adopting clear aligners systems and are equipped with advanced digital technologies.

According to Today's RDH, a digital media company for Registered Dental Professionals, there are many benefits of choosing a private/standalone dental services and some of the benefits include a wider range of dental treatments, shorter wait times, specialist and quality service as well as high adoption of latest equipment and quality materials for both diagnostics and treatment.

The dentistry news reported that almost half (46%) of NHS dentists are planning to move to private dentistry. In 2019, Dentistry Confidence Monitor surveyed more than 400 dentists working in NHS and in private settings and reported that 84% of private dentists were happy as they can provide the level of care they want, compared to 17% of NHS dentists. Moreover, 79% of private dentists said they could carry out their work without feeling overly stressed, compared to 8% of NHS dentists. Factors like flexibility, lesser administrative work, patient-centric customized service, and control over the practice is expected to boost the demand for standalone dental practices.

Dentist Type Insights

The orthodontists segment held the highest market share of 67.9% in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR over the forecast period. The dentist type segment is divided into general dentists and orthodontists. Orthodontists a held major market share in 2022 owing to the fact that the majority of the patients are referred to specialists for treatments like clear aligner therapy. As per Canalyst, a data analytics site, GD can and does prescribe Invisalign at a much lower rate than orthodontists. Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of misalignment of the teeth or jaw. They go through additional training and education to specialize in the field and are, therefore, found to be more reliable among patients opting for clear aligner therapy. As per Dr. Rohde, a GD in the U.S., a majority of his patients with misalignment opt for orthodontists as they can treat complicated issues and are experts in taking corrective actions for misalignment.

Duration Insights

The medium treatment duration segment accounted for the highest market share of 49.3% in 2022 and is expected to grow over the forecast period. The duration segment is divided into comprehensive malfunction, medium treatment, and small beauty aligners. As per the European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, in 2021, a retrospective study to evaluate maxillary arch changes in patients treated with Invisalign was carried out in 20 patients—12 females and 8 males. The study reported that the average treatment time for maxillary expansion was 8 months. The first aligner was worn for 14 days, and then, new sets were provided weekly. This indicates the fact that the majority of misalignment conditions are treated within the time frame of 6 to 12 months. Moreover, the duration of treatment also depends on the severity of orthodontic problems. Issues like minor gaps between the teeth can be treated within 6 months, but the duration may vary, depending on the condition. As per Fine Orthodontics, an orthodontic clinic in the U.S., the average time for clear aligner treatment is 12 months, especially among teenagers.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline segment held the highest market share of 75.0% in 2022, since, Align Technology is the most dominant player in the global market, and the company carries out its sales operations solely through offline channels. Invisalign can offer discounts as high as 35%, encouraging dentists and orthodontists to actively sell as many teeth-straightening aligners as possible, which increases their per-patient profits.

However, due to the rise in the number of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), clear aligner companies globally have resulted in high adoption of the online sales channel. SmileDirectClub, a D2C brand that operates through online channels, reported, based on one of its internal research in 2021, that its product and customer experience are competitive with Invisalign, and its products are 60% less expensive. Business-to-customer sale is the current trend in the market; however, the new trend that is gaining momentum is DTC sales. This is when the company directly sells its products to patients without a dental professional being involved. Clear aligners have become a more popular choice among consumers and expand access to treatment.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market capturing 57.1% market share in 2022 and is expected to showcase a significant CAGR in the forecast period. This is attributed to increasing R&D investments and the local presence of global players & their efforts to obtain new patents. A survey conducted by the American Dental Association stated that 85% of individuals in the United States truly value dental health and consider oral health an essential aspect of overall care. There are four million people in the U.S. wearing braces out of which 25% are adults and the advent of clear tray-style aligners has attracted the attention of many patients wanting to improve their smile but would prefer to avoid the metal-mouth look of braces. Factors like increasing awareness regarding the recent development in dental hygiene, various convenient options available for treating teeth misalignment, and a surge in beauty standards have propelled people to opt for aligners, in turn, increasing the market growth in the region.

APAC region is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 32.02% over the forecast period due to increasing demand for clear aligners in developing economies, namely India and China. The surge is also due to the aesthetic appeal of the aligner systems. In February 2016, Align Technology announced the launch of Invisalign systems that include Invisalign Full, Invisalign Teen, and Invisalign Lite clear aligners, in India targeting over 80 million urban populations as they account for a considerable share of sales of premium oral care products in the country.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

One of the key factors driving competitiveness among market players is the rapid adoption of advanced digital technology like intraoral scans, digital tooth set-ups, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM appliances. Moreover, a prominent number of these players are rapidly opting for strategic expansions and collaborations for increasing their geographical presence, and increasing sales volume in emerging and economically favorable regions and product launches.

Recent Developments

• In April 2021, Align Technology expanded its global operations by opening a manufacturing plant in Poland. This expansion will allow the company to cater to a large and underpenetrated market for Invisalign in Europe and Middle East & Africa region

• In January 2021, Dentsply Sirona acquired Straight Smile LLC (BYTE)—a leading provider in the direct-to-consumer, doctor-directed Clear Aligners market. This will assist the company to strengthen its SureSmile aligner business

• In April 2021, Envista Holdings Corporation announced a partnership with Curaeos Clinics to provide them with the latest dental technologies. Curaeos Clinics has a wide network of dental clinics across the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Italy.

Some prominent players in the global clear aligners market include:

• Align Technology

• Dentsply Sirona

• Institute Straumann

• Envista Corporation

• 3M ESPE

• Argen Corporation

• Henry Schein Inc

• TP Orthodontics Inc

• SmileDirect Club

• Angel Aligner

Recent Developments

• In May 2023, SmileDirect Club declared the US launch of patented SmileMaker platform that will expand the technology for teeth straightening. This platform uses AI for capturing 3D scan of teeth, thus making it easier for consumers to undertake the clear aligner treatment.

• In April 2023, Henry Schein Inc. entered into a partnership with Biotech Dental Group for making expansion in its digital workflow, provide clear aligner solutions to customers, and improve clinical results for dental professionals.

• In October 2022, Align Technology introduced the iTERO Exocad connector for enabling doctors with advanced visualization in the field of digital orthodontics that includes the treatment of clean aligner.

• In May 2022, Straumann Group acquired PlusDental for expanding its position in the field of consumer orthodontics, and providing clear aligner treatments to potential patients.

• In December 2021, Henry Schein Inc. launched Studio Pro 4.0 which is a treatment planning software for clear aligners. This software allows dental practitioners to customize, visualize, and communicate plans for the treatment of clear aligner.

• In July 2021, 3M Oral Care introduced Clarity Aligners Flex+ Force. It is the next generation clear aligner system for empowering orthodontists to choose unique aligner materials for the alignment of teeth.

• In June 2021, Dentsply Sirona acquired the assets of Propel Orthodonics for strengthening its position in the clear aligners market. The orthodontic devices and solutions of Propel complemented the existing business of Dentsply, and expanded its reach to implement clear aligner technologies.

Clear Aligners Market Report Scope

Global Clear Aligners Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the clear aligners market report based on age, material type, end-use, dentist type, duration, distribution channel, and region:

• Age Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Adults

  • Teens

• Material Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Polyurethane

  • Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol

  • Others

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Stand Alone Practices

  • Group Practices

  • Others

• Dentist Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • General Dentists

  • Orthodontists

• Duration Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Comprehensive malfunction (treatment > 12 month/ > 40 sets of Aligner)

  • Medium treatments (treatment > 6-12 month/ 20-40 sets of Aligner)

  • Small little beauty Alignments (treatment <4-6 month/ <20 sets Aligner)

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Online

  • Offline

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Norway

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • Japan

    • China

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait