U.S. Clear Aligners Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Age Group (Teenage and Adult), and By End User (Dentist & Orthodontist Owned Practices and Others), and Forecast, 2023-2030

The U.S. clear aligners market size was valued at USD 1.79 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 1.98 billion in 2023 to USD 7.62 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period.

In recent times, there has been an increasing adoption of clear aligners as an orthodontic treatment option. This is because they can improve patient outcomes due to robust research and development, which ensures high efficacy. Furthermore, their usage will continue to grow in the future as well, as an increasing proportion of the American population is keen on improving their dental aesthetics. This is especially relevant as several players in this market are focusing on strategies including advertisements to generate consumer awareness.

The U.S. possesses a robust healthcare infrastructure, which is expected to increase the adoption from the adult age group. A stronger need for better oral health, in conjunction with an increased awareness of dental aesthetics, is expected to contribute to the U.S. clear aligners market growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Negatively Impacted due to Cancellation of Orthodontic Procedures

The U.S. healthcare system experienced a mixed impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some healthcare markets registered robust growth trends, while other markets witnessed a significant decline. The reason for the market decline was the lockdown restrictions imposed across various states in the U.S. during the initial days of the pandemic to curb the spread of the virus. These preventive steps further caused a strong negative impact on the average patient footfall of dental and orthodontic clinics as they closed down during this period.

The pandemic had a limited negative impact on the market as the restrictions led to a reduction in the number of orthodontic procedures. Moreover, the market started experiencing strong trends of sales rebound during the later financial quarters of 2020. This was due to the strong pent-up demand for transparent aligners after the cancellation of orthodontic procedures in the initial months of the pandemic. Hence, the outbreak had a limited effect on this industry. This effect was minimized by the greater adoption of digital tools, such as Align Digital and Practice Transformation (ADAPT) service by Invisalign and iTero doctors.

Furthermore, key players of the U.S. market in 2022 promoted dental research and executed various strategies to increase their customer reach and maintain their dominance in the market. For instance, in July 2021, uLab Systems, Inc., launched its new custom packaging service for uSmile aligner customers.

The digital treatment planning for orthodontics and restorative dentistry is continuously evolving to provide doctors with greater flexibility, consistency of treatment preferences, and access to real-time treatment plan with modification capabilities. For instance, in February 2022, Align Technology, Inc. introduced innovations in its Invisalign system which included ClinCheck Live Update for 3D control, the Invisalign Practice App, Invisalign Personalized Plan (IPP), and Invisalign Smile Architect. Such innovations will enhance planning quality, efficiency, and scale, driving the market growth during the forecast period.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increased Adoption of Digital Tools is Expected to Surge Market Growth

The strong adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools are expected to strengthen the market trends. The incorporation of these digital technologies can help orthodontists make informed decisions for routine procedures, such as tooth extraction. For instance, Align Technology utilizes a mobile platform, the My Invisalign app, which serves the dual purpose of helping patients coordinate with their doctors and attract new customers.

Furthermore, in October 2020, Align Technology, Inc. launched Invisalign G8 with a new smartforce aligner activation feature to optimize tooth movements and improve predictability of frequently treated cases, such as crowding, crossbite, and deep bites. Also, the company’s proprietary Invisalign Go System software for tailored treatment planning offers 3D images of planned tooth movements to guide practitioners throughout the treatment. With this visualization tool, dentists and orthodontists can generate a comprehensive clinical visualization of their patient’s teeth. These emerging trends are expected to contribute strongly to the market’s growth during the forecast period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Considerable Benefits of Clear Aligners over Traditional Orthodontics to Aid Market Growth

The most important driver for the market is the considerable benefits offered by clear aligners over traditional orthodontic techniques. Some of these advantages include the invisible nature of these orthodontic devices, greater convenience & comfort, and a superior degree of customization. For instance, the product causes less irritation to the gums and cheeks and requires fewer visits to dentist and orthodontist clinics.

Individuals prefer transparent aligners over conventional wire braces due to superior comfort and greater aesthetics. For instance, according to statistics published by the American Association of Orthodontics in 2019, an estimated 50%-75% of the American population could benefit from new-age orthodontics. Such driving factors are expected to further boost the adoption of clear aligners during the forecast period.

Growing Demand for Orthodontic Treatment to Drive Market Growth

The increasing awareness among adults regarding dental aesthetics might drive the growth of the market. This is particularly relevant as factors, such as rising awareness of better oral health, availability of convenient payment options, and greater treatment outcomes associated with clear aligners are expected to drive the market’s growth.

A steady rise in the proportion of adults looking for routine dental check-ups has increased awareness regarding the need for orthodontic treatments. It has resulted in a high number of patient referrals to orthodontists. For instance, according to the Advantage Dental Oral Health Centre 2020 statistics, 95% of Americans regard their oral health as a critical part of their well-being and overall health. The growing awareness about available orthodontic treatment options and increased need for better dental appearance is anticipated to boost the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Product Costs and Lower Awareness of Malocclusion to Hamper Market Growth

One of the most critical growth restraining factors for the market is the high costs of products. Despite numerous advantages, such as the high convenience & comfort offered by them and their effectiveness in treating various forms of malocclusions, the high cost of the product may impact its adoption in the future till they become more affordable.

Furthermore, the absence or lower reimbursement of these products may also impact their adoption. Also, despite a significant proportion of the U.S. population suffering from tooth misalignment, many of them are not aware of their dental disorders. For instance, as per a research paper published by the European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry in 2020, the global prevalence of malocclusion among children and adolescents was 56%. Despite a strong prevalence of malocclusion among teenagers, the adoption of this treatment was restricted in this age group. Hence, such factors are expected to hinder the growth of the market in the forthcoming years.

SEGMENTATION

By Age Group Analysis

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Adults to Increase Demand for Transparent Aligners to Improve Their Dental Aesthetics

On the basis of age group, the market is segmented into teenage and adult.

The adult segment dominated the U.S. clear aligners market share in 2022 and is projected to continue this dominance during the forecast period. This dominance is attributed to the higher adoption of these products by the adult age group. Other reasons for the segment’s dominance include their increasing need to improve their dental aesthetics.

The teenage segment is expected to register a comparatively higher CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing demand for these aligners among teenagers as they are taking efforts to improve their dental aesthetics. This age group also has access to flexible payment options, leading to rise in the product adoption. For instance, in April 2021, Align Technology, Inc. announced that over 10 million people had undergone treatment with the Invisalign system, which included an estimated 2.6 million teenage patients.

By End User Analysis

Growing Patient Volume to Bolster Dentist & Orthodontist-owned Practices Segment’s Dominance

The end user segment is classified into dentist & orthodontist-owned practices and others.

The dentist & orthodontist-owned practices segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This segment's dominance is due to the high flow of patients suffering from acute malocclusion in various dentist & orthodontist-owned practices across the U.S. Furthermore, the adequate availability of reimbursement services at these healthcare facilities is also expected to contribute to this segment’s dominance.

The presence of a promising number of orthodontic clinics in the U.S. and the ease of access to patients are resulting in the segment’s dominance. For instance, according to data from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, the number of orthodontists in the U.S. increased from 10,885 in 2020 to 10,921 in 2021. Also, attending regular orthodontic appointments for a long time are contributing to the growth of this segment.

The others segment is anticipated to account for a lower market share during the forecast period. Some of the reasons for this include the comparatively lower number of orthodontists operating in large hospital settings. Furthermore, the hindrances faced by patients in traveling long distances to large hospitals for regular orthodontic appointments for a prolonged time are also expected to be a cause of the segment’s lower market share.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Brilliant Sales Performance of Align Technology & Growing Adoption of Digital Tools to Intensify Market Competition

In terms of the competitive landscape, the market depicts the presence of established and emerging orthodontic companies. Align Technology dominated the U.S. market in 2022. The company's apex position is attributed to the strong sales of its flagship system offering, the Invisalign system, coupled with greater emphasis on the adoption of digital tools by the company. This focus on the greater adoption of digital tools has allowed the company to streamline its clear aligner treatments, which has considerably improved its sales and volume shipments. Align Technology is also a leading player in the global market.

Some of the other companies with a considerable presence in the U.S. market include 3M, Institut Straumann AG, Dentsply Sirona, and Henry Schein. For instance, in December 2022, Henry Schein Inc., entered a strategic partnership with Biotech Dental Group, a leading provider of orthodontic solutions. The agreement is expected to help in improving patient outcomes by providing end-to-end integrated dental solutions. Such strategic moves are expected to further enable organizations to strengthen their market presence. The emerging Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) companies in this market include Candid Care Co. and SmileDirectClub, Inc.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Align Technology, Inc. (U.S.)


• 3M (U.S.)


• Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland)


• Ormco Corporation (Envista) (U.S.)


• Dentsply Sirona (U.S.)


• Henry Schein, Inc. (U.S.)


• Candid Care Co. (U.S.)


• SmileDirectClub, Inc. (U.S.)


• Byte (Dentsply Sirona) (U.S.)


• Argen Corporation (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 2023: Candid Care Co., partnered with Koninklijke Philips N.V. to advance orthodontic solutions. The collaboration aims to provide an integrated oral healthcare offering, which includes orthodontic treatments (clear aligners) along with teeth whitening (toothbrushes) in the U.S.


• May 2022: Align Technology entered a strategic partnership with Asana, Inc. to offer a new workflow solution for Invisalign-trained doctors in the U.S.


• February 2022: Ormco Corporation announced its Spark Clear Aligners Release 12, offering clinical enhancements, product optimization, and case-planning improvements.


• December 2021: Henry Schein, Inc. launched a new web-based treatment planning software, Studio Pro 4.0 for Reveal Clear Aligners, to achieve predictable outcomes for clear aligner treatment planning.


• July 2021: 3M Oral Care introduced Clarity Aligners Flex + Force, an aligner system that allows orthodontists to customize treatments for simple and complex cases.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of U.S. Clear Aligners Market

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The market report provides a detailed analysis of the market. It focuses on key aspects, such as an overview of technological advancements, prevalence of dental malocclusion in the U.S., and pricing analysis. Additionally, the research report includes an overview of the reimbursement scenario for orthodontic treatments, number of orthodontic procedures performed in the U.S. in 2022, number of dentists and orthodontists in the U.S. in 2022, new product launches, key industry developments, such as mergers, partnerships, & acquisitions, impact of COVID-19 on the market, and brand competition & analysis. Besides this, it also provides important insights into the latest market trends and highlights key industry dynamics. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation