Alexis Martino, Market Research Analyst, The Key Group

	Dental laboratories are currently witnessing a strong increase in demand for dental implant abutments. Dentists are performing implant procedures at an increasing rate, substantially driving the request for stock and custom abutments. On average, U.S. dental labs currently produce about 30 implant abutments each month, half of which are custom abutments. Of the implant cases handled by the dental labs, 75% are single unit cases and 15% are implant-supported bridges. Of the 33% of dental laboratories that offer mini implants, about 7 mini implants are produced per month. Several key trends prove that demand for dental implants will continue to grow, and certain factors will continue to affect the market over the next decade.

	The population of the United States is witnessing a major shift in demographics. The large population of the baby boomer generation has greatly impacted all aspects of the economy and the dental lab industry is no exception. The surgical dental implant procedure has become more popular over the past few years and patient requests are up.

	With the baby boomer population aging, implant production in dental labs is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decade. A desire by this particular demographic for more permanent teeth (not removable dentures) and a willingness to pay more for an esthetically pleasing profile will all continue to increase implant demand.

	The Internet also has given way to a plethora of information on dental implants to be shared with patients wishing to research more about the procedure.

	Several factors have led to the increased demand and higher production rates in dental labs. The baby boomer age group is willing to spend the extra money on cosmetic dentistry, and implant procedures for this generation are desirable because they are quick, natural looking and partially covered by insurance companies. If insurance coverage expands, implant procedures will accelerate at an even greater rate. Because of this, stock abutments are expected to increase in use by 3% over the next year. However, custom abutments are expected to see a larger increase at about 7% over the upcoming year.

	By enabling the dentist to achieve optimal design and profile of the implant and by providing patients a restorative product that is specifically designed to meet their individual anatomy, custom abutments are becoming a more popular requested product in the dental lab.

	Further analysis indicates that custom abutments are produced 20% more often in larger labs than in smaller labs. The demand for dental implants from labs will grow as general dentists increasingly incorporate this service as a core offering in their practices and because these procedures are now an important part of the dental school curriculum due to their advantages over traditional bridges.

	Mini implants will continue to see an increase in demand. This type of implant is less expensive than conventional implants and offers a single stage procedure. Mini implants also have risen in popularity because of their use in retaining dentures. Today’s current American demographic will drive the demand higher for this type of implant, as more sustainable, and implant-retained dentures have become popular choices.

	The average number of mini implants produced per month (currently seven cases) in dental laboratories is expected to grow as the population in America continues to desire simple, cosmetic procedures that do not break the bank or cost hours of time in the dentist’s office.

	Modifications in implant technology, a changing American demographic, and the increased occurrence of this procedure performed by general dentists will all impact the future of implant production in dental labs. The push and pull of these factors will cause dental labs to continuously adapt to a changing market environment.

Articles

 Dental laboratories are currently witnessing a strong increase in demand for dental implant abutments. Dentists are performing implant procedures at an increasing rate, substantially driving the request for stock and custom abutments. On average, U.S. dental labs currently produce about 30 implant abutments each month, half of which are custom abutments. Of the implant cases handled by the dental labs, 75% are single unit cases and 15% are implant-supported bridges.

The continuing evolution of implant production

Advances in technology continue to improve and change the way we live our day-to-day lives. These advances also have significantly impacted the dental industry.

Advances in digital dentistry are bringing substantial changes in today’s dental offices. The traditional partnership between dental laboratories and dental offices is built on a foundation of computer assisted design and the growing trend of digital impressions. CAD/CAM systems in dental offices and dental labs are becoming standard equipment. Approximately 31% of all dental labs currently own a digital scanner and a milling system while only 12% don’t fulfill CAD/CAM requests at all.

Several factors that are driving the digital revolution will continue to strengthen the bond between the lab and dental office in the future. To start, digital dentistry is beginning to prove itself as a more cost-effective and beneficial technology for both dental offices and dental labs compared to traditional methods.

The initial cost of the technology carries a considerable price tag; however this hasn’t deterred the larger labs (more than 25 employees) as they are running at full force toward purchasing this equipment. Research shows that roughly half (53%) of larger labs are operating with a CAD/CAM system and scanner and producing CAD/CAM crowns and bridges in their facility. Many of these large labs indicated the technology was worth the cost because of the results it delivers, the variety of material choices and the operational efficiencies. 

In addition to the dental labs that own complete CAD/CAM milling systems, another 24% of the dental labs currently own a digital scanner. The scanners have converted a very tactile process of building crowns and bridges into a precise design exercise driven by software on a computer. The vast majority (82%) of larger labs currently own scanners as the market continues to absorb this technology. The scanners are used for both models and impressions by the dental labs.

Digital impressions are currently accepted by 27% of all dental labs but the trend is growing. Roughly 13% of small labs currently accept digital files from dental offices, while 67% of large labs are actively receiving digital files.

Many of the small labs have indicated they have no incentive to purchase the software until their dental clients make the switch. As more and more dentists implement digital impression taking technologies, dental labs originally reluctant to spend the money on the technology will either have to meet this demand or risk losing valuable clients.

Today’s new generation of dentists is greatly impacting the state of digital dentistry as they graduate from dental school. Younger dentists fresh out of school recognize the return on investment they can receive from digital dentistry technologies. The entire restoration process is expedited more quickly and the precision is increased compared to traditional methods, all the while enhancing the patient experience.

As younger and more tech savvy dentists continue to enter the market, the number of dental labs buying the CAD/CAM systems and ancillary support systems will continue to grow. The relationship between the dental labs and dental offices will be forever connected by the Internet highway as digital patient information easily passes between computers. Dentist and dental laboratories will embrace the digital revolution together as their businesses evolve to keep up with the growing technology.

Digital Dentistry: The connection between dental labs, dentists

	Modern day dental laboratories are currently operating in a constantly evolving environment. New technologies and changes in preferred materials are altering the way dental labs operate and produce various restorations. Additionally, the rise in the dental implant category has added to the shift in the U.S. dental lab’s production mix. Even with these changes, crown and bridge production still makes up a dominant part of the core dental lab manufacturing output, as a typical dental lab will produce an average of 350 crowns and 112 bridge units in a month.

	A variety of current market dynamics have increased the overall demand for higher production throughout and quicker turnaround of crowns and bridges. Factors such as the rise in life expectancy in the United States have greatly driven the need for more crowns and bridges in our senior demographics. In addition, the obsession with the cosmetic value of a “good smile” through reality TV shows and Hollywood style icons has increased the demand for esthetic dentistry in the United States.

	Crown and bridge restorations were typically driven by optimal dental structure and support, but now patients expect to achieve enhanced esthetics with their dental restorations. Technologies, offshore manufacturing, a changing labor pool and new preferred materials will continue to impact the production of crowns and bridges.

	Over the past year, growth in digital dentistry continued to play an important role, with CAD/CAM all-ceramic crown and bridge production in dental labs increasing 2.9% when compared with the previous year.

	Approximately half of larger sized labs have completely embraced the CAD/CAM technologies (both scanners and milling systems) in their labs, as this technology serves as a competitive advantage against offshore outsourcing. This technology actually creates new and more desirable jobs, as the software requires digital designers to work alongside the equipment.

	Furthermore, for these larger labs, CAD/CAM technology has the capability to lower production costs when used on a daily basis. Web portals between dental labs and dentists have made it easier to process crown and bridge orders, creating a more cost effective and convenient solution for both labs and dentists. As dental labs continue to incorporate CAD/CAM technology, they also will produce more crown and bridge restorations without added labor costs.

	However, smaller labs are slower to adopt the technology, as roughly 40% indicate they outsource all CAD/CAM restorations. This outsourcing strategy allows smaller labs to offer various CAD/CAM all-ceramic solutions without the initial capital expenditure.

	As the market research indicates, the dental lab industry is witnessing a steady shift from porcelain fused to metal (PFMs) to all-ceramic crowns and bridges as materials and CAD/CAM systems continue to improve. The use of metal in dental restorations also has raised a variety of concerns because metal-based crowns can cause tissue sensitivity and allergic reactions in some people, and they lack the esthetic properties of all-ceramics.

	In the last few years, the shift away from PFMs has been accelerated by the rising cost of precious metals. But, even as all-ceramics grow, PFMs still account for more than half of the crown and bridge restorations. To compete, labs have migrated from High Noble to Noble and Non-Precious alloys, with only 38% of PFMs using High Noble alloy.

	Over the coming years, crown and bridge production will continue to evolve as the market dynamics change. A constantly evolving world of technology, increased life expectancies and emphasis on dental esthetics will continue to influence patient requests, dental restorative solutions offered by the dentist and the way dental labs operate. Dental laboratories will continue to adapt to meet the needs of their customers. 

 Modern day dental laboratories are currently operating in a constantly evolving environment. New technologies and changes in preferred materials are altering the way dental labs operate and produce various restorations. Additionally, the rise in the dental implant category has added to the shift in the U.S. dental lab’s production mix.