Dental 3D Printing – What's Next?
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 22 July 2025 10:06
- Written by Peter Ingle
- Hits: 573
It is recognised that dentistry combines science and art. In 2025 it is also a business. That includes the vast majority of the UK‘s state controlled and funded NHS dental care, which is delivered by small, and not so small, businesses.
MarketsandMarkets is a competitive intelligence and market research platform providing over 10,000 clients worldwide with business to business research. Their first report on dental 3D printing was published in 2018. Even after considerable growth, the latest report portrays a market that is still expanding, and expected to increase in value by 20% between 2025 and 2030
The global 3D printing market in dentistry has grown from $3.4 billion to $3.96 in the last year. This is being driven by perceived benefits when compared to previous techniques. It can make applications such as custom splints, procedures using surgical guides, and accompanying implant supported restorations, more widely available. Greater understanding of the availability of these and other often elective treatments by the public, has combined with the profession’s increased willingness to provide them. All of this will continue to feed the increase in growth.
The progress of 3D printing has benefitted hugely from the growth of the aesthetic dental market, itself accelerated by the rise in influence of social media. The treatments that deliver whiter teeth, straighter smiles and attractive restorations, can all make considerable use of 3D printing.
MarketsandMarkets did recognise that there were also challenges to the growth of 3D dental printing. These included the entry cost of equipment, not yet universal availability of the required technologies, and a significant need for investment in training and skill development for dental professionals. The strict product approval requirements of organisations such as the FDA and concerns over long term durability of some products, could also slow market growth. Against this, the tendency of the profession to embrace new technologies and an aging global population, will support growth.
Global demographics will also play a part. The rapid economic growth in counties such as Vietnam and India, with a fast growing middle class will provide patients with the desire and required disposable income for more sophisticated treatments. This is borne out by the Asia Pacific region showing the highest rate of growth in 2024 to 2025 in the 3D dental market.
Overall, the market will become increasingly competitive, and new players will enter to challenge the already established names. This competition could bring a drop in costs as companies compete for custom. As the costs of labour and utilities increase, particularly in high cost countries such as the UK, the pressure on dental businesses and labs may well speed up the reduction in workforce that digital dentistry and 3D manufacture can provide.
GDC registrant figures have shown a decrease in the number of dental technicians for each of the last five years, with nearly 10% fewer dental technicians registered than in 2020. Overseas labs are now an established part of the UK landscape, and with the increased potential for in house production by practices that 3D printing can offer, remaining UK labs will be looking to maximise their efficiency.
You need to be logged in to leave comments.
Report
My comments