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CAD/CAM – international magazine of digital dentistry No. 3, 2017

business cone beam supplement | these systems to also incorporate both panoramic and cephalometric capabilities, resulting in so-called ‘combo-units’, which has resulted in a drastic change in the market. The popularity of these CBCT ‘com- bo-units’ has increased significantly in recent years and is expected to continue outpacing all other mar- ket segments in terms of growth. Consequently, the outlook of the extraoral X-ray system market in Europe is negative. Already being a replacement market without much innovation, the demand for traditional 2-D systems is on the decline as consumers continue to opt for technologically su- perior CBCT scanners. Manufacturers have also recog- nised this, and as such have shifted their focus to cap- italise on this trend, investing in producing combo 2-D and 3-D units with the option for future upgrades, greatly improving the marketability of these systems. Analysis of the current situation of CBCT scanners CBCT scanners are extremely efficient machines that are capable of performing a quick and non-invasive scan, resulting in a high level of patient comfort. It is also possible to instantly show the patients a 3-D image of their jaw and teeth structure, making it easier for dental professionals using these scanners to convince patients regarding necessary treatments. However, the biggest advantage of CBCT scanners is their low cost relative to traditional CT systems found in hospitals. While CBCT scanners are quite a bit more expensive than other dental imaging equipment, they are a much more affordable alternative for capturing 3-D images of a patient’s jaw compared to past methods. In the European market, sales of CBCT systems have increased considerably, with growth rates surpassing that of nearly all other dental imaging devices. This will most likely continue to be the case throughout the next several years as the technology is constantly im- proving and prices are dropping. Although most units now offer a variety of field of views (FOVs), the most popular choice continues to be 8 cm x 8 cm, as this size is sufficient to capture the complete maxilla or man- dible in one image. Anything above this size has a much more niche usage and typically comes at a greater cost, thus dentists opting to purchase a CBCT scanner are less likely to be persuaded by anything larger, as it is more of a luxury than a necessity. As such, all of the major competitors, including Carestream, Planmeca, Sirona, Danaher Group, Vatech, and Cefla Group, have multiple systems with this size already incorporated into their product line. Today, smaller FOV (sizes smaller than 8 x 8) scanners have essentially all been consolidated with medium FOV scanners, and large FOV scanners are extremely expensive and represent only a very minor percentage of the market. Fig. 2 Fig. 2: Cone beam computed tomography scanner market breakdown, Europe, 2023. Final thoughts All in all, the market for dental imaging equipment in Europe is relatively static in terms of growth, but it is in a state of transition. Companies are continu- ously improving the technology in their products, and the stiff competition is placing intense pressures on prices. Consequently, a growing demand for CBCT scanners is neutered by these falling prices, and in the end, the companies that will be the most suc- cessful are the ones who provide the greatest value with their products. The intraoral X-ray imaging sec- tor has almost completely transitioned into a digital market, but is now split between digital sensors and PSP scanners. With new entrants in various seg- ments of the market, the future of this market seems promising and exciting, with many new opportuni- ties on the horizon._ about Sasha Stephanian is a research analyst at iData Research and was the lead researcher for the 2016 European Dental Operatory Equipment and CAD/CAM Materials, U.S. Medical and Dental Imaging Equipment, 2017 European Robotics and Surgical Navigation, U.S. and European Dental Lasers, and European Dental Imaging Devices Market Report Suites. His current work includes the 2017 U.S. Soft Tissue Regeneration Market Report Suite. Jeffrey Wong is the strategic analyst manager at iData Research and has been heavily involved with the company’s dental division throughout his tenure. As a research analyst, he led several research projects on the global dental markets, including dental prosthetics, digital dentistry, CAD/CAM mate- rials, dental implants, bone graft substitutes, hygiene, dental imaging and dental lasers. CAD/CAM 3 2017 45

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