3D printing: dedicated to the Art of Clear Aligners

Get your clear aligners for a quarter of the price compared to alternate processes

A recent survey of U.S. workers found 96% believe a pleasing smile is an important aesthetic feature. For many, however, achieving this winning smile requires a treatment plan to overcome orthodontic issues, namely braces. But the negative aesthetics associated with metal braces, as well as perception of the significant discomfort and pain associated with them has helped fuel the rise of clear aligners. Notably, studies indicate that clear aligners are associated with less pain of treatment and less impact on quality of life.

Consequently, the rise of clear aligners as a treatment method for crooked teeth is poised for explosive growth, both in the U.S. and globally. Estimates point to an expected compound annual growth rate of nearly 13% for the clear aligner market for the period 2016-2020. The expansion and acceptance of aesthetic procedures, growth in disposable income, and procedural availability, all contribute to these projections. North America is the largest market and is expected to account for more than 63% of the total market share by 2020. Specifically, clear aligners which dominate this segment, are forecast to generate revenue of roughly $2 billion by 2020.

Clear aligners are a valid treatment option for six million of the estimated 10 million orthodontic cases each year. However, to date, the current clear aligner market leader has captured only nine percent of those six million cases.

This means it is a critical time to enter this market, as large suppliers and manufacturers in the dental industry who are early-to-market with clear aligner production have the potential to capitalize on this high-growth industry. Both established labs and new entrants to the market can benefit from this growth by taking advantage of scalable, 3D printing solutions which offer an alternative to large-investment 3D printers. Regardless of the size of your current lab, there is significant opportunity to capitalize on the projected explosive growth in the clear aligner market in the next few years.

The Stratasys J700 Dental 3D printer is dedicated to the production of clear aligners; it is the only 3D printing solution optimized for clear aligner production out of the box. This specialized technology enables a stable, turnkey solution alternative to the lengthy setup and calibration of legacy printers, and produces high quality, accurate, repeatable clear aligners. The J700 does not sacrifice quality to achieve its high output capacity and ability to operate 24/7; it exceeds industry standards for accuracy.