The aftermath of the dreaded COVID-19 and its variants on economies worldwide left little to the imagination. Amid the scene of devastation that followed the pandemic, there was massive turmoil in the global healthcare arena. The onset of the coronavirus was particularly destructive for sectors such as dental care, elective surgeries, and medical device manufacturing. The dental implants industry, pre-pandemic, was thriving with advancements in implant technology and increasing demand for aesthetic dental solutions.
All was not lost, as the world soon found out. According to recent reports, the dental implants market is expected to grow significantly, with a projected CAGR of over 6.6% from 2023 to 2030, indicating a positive turnaround in the industry. During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, the dental sector seemed to be in one of its worst phases. Already faced with many challenges, such as high treatment costs and regulatory hurdles, dental care providers had to deal with further issues as COVID-19 spread, like reduced patient visits and supply chain disruptions.
While the sector has witnessed improvement and an influx of major technological advancements, it still faces many challenges. The following paragraphs comprise a gist of some existing and new concerns facing the dental implants industry, to help understand the present scenario in the dental care and implants space.
Challenges in the Dental Implants Industry
The high cost of dental implant surgery is expected to hinder the global dental implant market growth during the forecast period. Here are some key insights:
- Cost Variation: The cost of dental implants varies depending on the patient. A single dental implant typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,000, excluding surgery costs. Additional expenses include the crown, abutment, tooth and root extraction, dental visits, and pre-op and post-op care, which can range from $1,500 to $2,800. Thus, the total cost for a single implant ranges from $3,000 to $4,800.
- Overall Expenses: From start to finish, the cost per tooth in a dental implant procedure can range from $3,000 to $45,000. For a full mouth of implants, the expense can escalate to between $60,000 and $90,000.
- Regional Costs: In Canada, the average cost of dental implants is around $3,000. A full jaw implant can exceed $50,000, depending on factors such as tooth position and the dentist's choice.
- Additional Procedures: Some individuals may require additional procedures such as a bone graft or sinus lift, increasing the overall cost. Implants are a significant financial investment, which deters many individuals from opting for dental implant procedures, thereby slowing market growth.
These high costs pose a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of dental implants, impacting the market's growth potential.
The shortage of dental practitioners to serve the growing number of individuals suffering from oral disorders is expected to impede the global dental implant market growth during the forecast period. Here are some key insights:
- Limited Access to Dental Care: According to the Delta Dental Plans Association, the American oral health system has made significant progress in improving access, patient safety, and care delivery to enhance oral health. Despite these efforts, approximately 72 million individuals in the U.S. have limited or no access to high-quality dental care, posing a threat to the nation's overall health and well-being.
- Dental Practitioner Shortage: Currently, around 750,000 oral health practitioners are operating in the U.S. However, an estimated 12,288 additional dental professionals are needed to fill the gaps in underserved U.S. neighborhoods where skilled dental care is scarce.
- Medically Underserved Regions: According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), over 54 million Americans live in areas that lack adequate dental health services, with a requirement for over 10,600 dentists to meet this care deficit.
- Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs): The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) reports that around 65.8 million U.S. residents live in HPSAs. To adequately serve the more than 6,300 communities identified as HPSAs, over 10,600 dental practitioners are needed.
The significant shortage of dental professionals in critical areas contributes to limited access to dental care, impacting the global dental implant market's growth potential.
