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Demise of analogue and rise of digital intra-oral X-ray systems is imminent as photostimulable phosphor systems take over market
In 2013, the intra-oral X-ray device market was sustained through the replacement of analogue systems and increasing popularity of photostimulable phosphor (PSP) systems in Western Europe. As analogue systems are replaced by digital imaging systems, the analogue film market will wither away, with a compound annual growth rate of close to -10 per cent up to the end of 2019. Digital imaging companies offer two alternatives to ageing analogue systems: PSP and digital sensors. Larger clinics with several rooms opt for PSP systems owing to the affordability of additional PSP plates, while smaller clinics with a single examination room more commonly use digital sensors.
Although intra-oral X-ray devices comprise a larger share of the digital sensor systems market currently, the forecast analysis predicts a reversal in which PSP system sales will grow at a higher rate. The thickness and rigidity of sensors are a substantial barrier to patient comfort. Along with high replacement costs and cord damage issues, digital sensors will gradually lose their prominence to PSP systems in the course of the next decade.
Extra-oral X-ray imaging systems continue to stagnate owing to low replacement rates and cross-cutting capabilities of CBCT scanners
Extra-oral X-ray imaging systems are predominantly used for viewing a patient’s teeth relative to his or her jaw and skull. They aid in monitoring impacted teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder, and possible tumours in and around the intra-oral cavity. These specific uses of extra-oral X-ray systems limit their market to orthodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons, who prefer a CBCT scanner for 3-D imaging and better accuracy. More importantly, the latest development in CBCT technology, the incorporation of panoramic and cephalometric capabilities into a 3-D scanner, dealt the final blow to the standalone extra-oral X-ray system market. Together, these factors have ensured a steady decline of this segment. Except for a slight recovery in 2013, the market declined and will continue to decline up to the end of 2019.
The future of the extra-oral X-ray system market in Europe is bleak. Although unit sales will grow very slowly during the next decade as a result of replacement, it will not be sufficient to outweigh price drops, leading to a declining market value. The majority of these machines will be replaced by CBCT scanners, which can accomplish what they do and more. Companies in this market are gradually shifting their resources to combination systems, which are both more marketable and profitable.
CBCT scanners: The future of digital imaging in dentistry
CBCT scanners are highly efficient devices that ensure patient comfort in a variety of ways. Firstly, they are fast and non-invasive, and provide an overall pleasant experience for the patient. Secondly, dentists can instantly show their patient a 3-D image of the jaw and teeth structure, making it easier to convince the patient of the necessary treatment. Finally, CBCT images tend to be more affordable than traditional CT scans. These features enhance the attraction of 3-D imaging for both the clinician and the patient. The market for CBCT scanners in Europe is expanding to the point where it will hit the €100 million mark by 2015, even amidst declining prices.
CBCT system unit sales are increasing at a faster rate than any other imaging device in the dental industry. The sales volume growth will be sustained above 5 per cent over the next decade at a moderate level in the absence of another economic recession. The number of units sold will surpass 2,000 per year by 2016 across Europe, a substantial quantity given the relatively high price of these systems. Lastly, as surgical implants become more widely used in dentistry, CBCT scanners will increasingly be used for pre-surgical assessments, accelerating the sales volume growth over the next decade.
Convergence and competition
CBCT scanners have different sizes of the field of view (FOV), which can be categorised into small, medium and large. The average European dentist’s scanner of choice has been the 8 × 8 FOV scanner, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of all sales. This size is sufficient to capture the complete maxilla or mandible in one image. Ultimately, the 8 × 8 CBCT scanner with panoramic/cephalometric capabilities will become the gold standard in the dental industry.
Companies such as Carestream, Planmeca, Sirona, Gendex and Vatech have already incorporated this system into their product line. Smaller and larger FOVs will continue to exist in the market with dwindling sales, as large FOV scanners predominantly serve hospitals, where smaller FOV scanners cannot capture the entire jaw without stitching images together, resulting in loss of time and patient discomfort. For these reasons, competition will concentrate on the 8 × 8 systems, transforming the dental digital imaging equipment market into an exciting one to follow in the upcoming years.
Additional information
The information contained in this article is taken from the detailed and comprehensive report series published by iData Research, an international market research and consulting firm focused on providing market intelligence for the medical device, dental and pharmaceutical industries. The series includes U.S. and European (15 countries) markets for dental imaging equipment. For more information and a free synopsis of this research, please contact iData Research.
