Europe Clear Aligners Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Age Group (Teens, Adults), By Material Type, By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By End-use, By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The Europe clear aligners market size was valued at USD 834.9 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.4% from 2023 to 2030. Clear aligners are transparent orthodontic appliances that are used to straighten up crooked or misaligned teeth. The market for clear aligners in Europe is driven by factors such as the increased number of patients with malocclusions, technological developments in dental care, and the rising demand for personalized clear aligners. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing and online service providers who offer clear aligner treatment packages are rapidly driving the expansion of the clear aligner industry in Europe. People are increasingly becoming aware of cosmetic dentistry. The "Zoom effect" has accelerated this trend as participants in online meetings are continually seeing themselves on screen and are becoming conscious about their misaligned teeth.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the market as the majority of elective dental procedures were delayed due to the imposed lockdowns. The pandemic widely disrupted routine orthodontic appointments as most of the dental clinics were closed as dentistry is considered a high-contact and elective service.

However, the demand for clear aligners increased as people were opting for clear aligners since it requires a few doctor visits compared to traditional braces and wires. Furthermore, the key players observed a surge in the sales of clear aligners in 2020 as compared to prior 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 WHO ranks malocclusion as one of the most significant oral health issues after dental caries and periodontal disease. Malocclusion is a common condition that affects people of all ages and a wide range of geographic locations. Its prevalence in children and adolescents varies greatly and is estimated to range from 39% to 93%. According to the study published by the National Library of Medicine, Europe had the highest rates of Class II, Class III, and open bite malocclusions, in 2018 respectively. Furthermore, compared to other regions, Europe had a significantly greater rate of deep bites (37.3%).

It is anticipated that the demand for aligners in orthodontics will increase due to new techniques and technology in intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and more esthetic dental materials. Intraoral scanners, a new form of oral digital technology, provide rapid therapeutic effect visualization, enabling patients to preview the results of their therapy before selecting whether to continue with orthodontic treatment.

For instance, Align Technology launched an application, SmileView in 2019. Potential Invisalign patients can use this cutting-edge software as an online tool to visualize a straighter smile before deciding to undergo treatment. Prospective patients can preview how their straighter teeth may appear by their facial features within 60 seconds of snapping a smiling selfie.

Age Insights

In 2022, the adults segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 61.2% owing to the increasing prevalence of malocclusion occurrence among adults. The adult population is increasingly showing concern for their teeth aesthetics. According to the British Orthodontic Society, orthodontists have observed an increase in adult patients opting for clear aligners due to the rising awareness of adult orthodontics and the influence of celebrities and bloggers. Since the clear aligners are translucent and generally invisible to others, adults are more comfortable wearing them in professional settings.

The teens segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 33.1% over the forecast period due to teenagers being more self-conscious than any other age group. Teens prefer clear aligners over any other teeth straightening solutions available in the market due to their nearly invisible nature. Clear aligners are frequently chosen by teenagers who struggle with social anxiety.

End-use Insights

The standalone practices segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 52.7% in 2022 as these practices are equipped with the latest digital technologies and are quick to adopt advanced clear aligner systems. Patients opt for standalone practices due to shorter waiting lists, a wider range of dental treatments, high-quality service, and high adoption of advanced technology for diagnosis and treatment.

The group practices segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 31.4% from 2023 to 2030. There has been a significant growth in the number of dentists and orthodontists joining group practices. This shift has been facilitated by the numerous social, therapeutic, and financial benefits of group practice. For new dentists, operating a solo practice has grown increasingly challenging. The shift to group practice has been pushed by market forces as well as insurance reforms.

Materials Insights

In 2022, the polyurethane segment held the majority of the market with a revenue share of 76.5% as they can be used for both soft and hard parts because of its wide range of characteristics. Polyurethane has excellent elastomeric characteristics and is resistant to chemicals and abrasion. Due to the elasticity of the material, polyurethane can extend and recover after being loaded, returning to its former shape when the weight is removed.

The plastic polyethylene terephthalate glycol segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 30.7% over the forecast period. PETG materials are the preferred materials for the creation of intricate and complicated designs for clear aligner therapy because of their remarkable durability, high impact strength, and resistance to chemical changes.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline segment held a majority of the market share of 74.4% in 2022 and is expected to retain its position during the forecast period. The leading market players such as Align Technology, Inc., Envista, and Institute Straumann carry out their sales operations mainly through offline distribution channels. The market players encourage orthodontists and dentists to aggressively market and sell as many clear aligners as they can by providing discounts of up to 35%, thereby raising their per-patient revenues.

The online segment is likely to witness a significant CAGR of 32.5% over the forecast period. Digital smile simulations, treatment planning, and teledentistry technologies are enhancing treatment knowledge and accessibility in the clear aligner industry, which is fueling direct-to-consumer (D2C). Direct-to-consumer approaches have made clear aligner treatments more accessible and affordable for patients.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Leading industry players are adopting strategies such as partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions & mergers, and agreements to survive the highly competitive environment and expand their business footprints. For instance, in July 2019, Align Technology, a global manufacturer of clear aligners, launched the company's first Invisalign Connect pop-up store at the Westfield London shopping center, U.K. Invisalign Connect is a consumer program to inform customers about the advantages of clear aligner treatment under a doctor's supervision and to put customers in consultation with a doctor who has received Invisalign training.

Key players are focused on product innovation and strategic partnerships to strengthen their competitive power while expanding their global reach. For instance, in July 2019, SmileDirectClub, a major US teledentistry company, launched operations in the U.K. to provide clear aligner therapy at an affordable price. SmileDirectClub launched nine SmileShops in Manchester, London, and Birmingham.Some prominent players in the Europe clear aligners market include:

• Dentsply Sirona

• Institute Straumann

• Align Technology, Inc.

• Henry Schein, Inc

• 3M

• Argen Corporation

• Envista

• TP Orthodontics, Inc

• K Line Europe GmbH

• DENTARUM GmbH & Co.KG

Europe Clear Aligners Market Report Scope

Europe Clear Aligners Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the 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 Europe clear aligners market report based on age group, end-use, material type, distribution channel, and country:

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

  • Teens

  • Adults

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

  • Hospitals

  • Stand Alone Practices

  • Group Practices

  • Others

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

  • Polyurethane

  • Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol

  • Others

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

  • Online

  • Offline

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

  • U.K.

  • Germany

  • France

  • Italy

  • Spain

  • Norway

  • Sweden

  • Denmark