Friday, November 30, 2007

Americans Paying Premium For Perfect Teeth

According to Millennium Research Group's US Markets for Crown & Bridges 2008 report, the value placed on aesthetics is driving the US all-ceramic crown and bridge market. To meet the demands of patients seeking more natural-looking results, dental labs are increasingly adopting computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. As a result, the US market for CAD/CAM-produced all- ceramic restorations will grow more than 30% over the next five years, exceeding $1 billion by 2012.

All-ceramic material is being combined with CAD/CAM technology to improve patient results. These restorations avoid the dark lines that may appear below the gum line, as can be seen with porcelain-fused-to metal treatment. In addition, CAD/CAM systems can be used to customize all-ceramic restorative work to improve the fit of dental restorations. CAD/CAM technology creates a 3-D image of the restoration site before manufacturing a personalized prosthetic. These systems are often able to reduce turnaround times in manufacturing, enabling patients to receive their final restorations sooner. Chair-side CAD/CAM systems (located in the dental office), have the additional advantage of eliminating the need for temporary crowns or a second visit to complete the restoration process. Together, the material and technology allow for a more natural smile in a shorter time.

"People want their teeth to look great and they don't want to wait for the results," says Poonam Jassi, Analyst at Millennium Research Group. "Because CAD/CAM systems provide rapid customized crowns and bridges for each individual, patients will pay a premium for them, which is supporting growth of this market segment."

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