Dental caries is a breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria. It is also called as tooth decay or cavity. The bacteria tends to convert sugar and carbohydrates (starches) present in the foods to acids. This acid dissolves minerals in the hard enamel that covers the tooth's crown and results in enamel erosion or pits/plaque on the tooth. This leads to decaying of the softer dentin layer. Thus, due to break down of dentin, a cavity is created. Symptoms of dental caries include tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, black or white staining on teeth, and a visible hole in teeth. Risk factors associated with dental caries are dry mouth, acid reflux diseases, anorexia, and bulimia.

Dental Caries Market- Drivers

Increasing number of pipeline studies to develop treatments for dental caries is expected to boost the dental caries market growth. For instance, in February 2017, Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Eastern Norway in collaboration with Public Dental Service from Ostfold, Oppland, and Hedmark, announced the post market surveillance (Phase 4) for fluoride varnishes and fissure sealants to evaluate its effectiveness in a pragmatic randomized clinical trial. Fluoride varnish is a highly concentrated form of fluoride used to apply on tooth's surface and fissure sealants are used to prevent tooth decay. The study is expected to be completed in December 2022.

Dental Caries Market- Restraints

However, the side effects associated with dental caries treatment and failure of the treatment, owing to lack of knowledge of the operators is expected to hamper growth of the dental caries market. For instance, in April 2015, as per study report by Department of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Aljouf, KSA, the failure rate of endodontic treatment performed by the general dental practitioners (GDPs) was 78.8%. The factors responsible for endodontic failures were underfilled canals (33.3%), unfilled, and missed canals (17.7%).

Dental Caries Market- Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, the global dental caries market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

North America is expected to boost the dental caries market share, owing to increasing number of pipeline studies in this region. In November 2017, Virginia Commonwealth University initiated the clinical study on device, OpalSeal, for evaluation of protective effects of Opalseal against early dental decay in orthodontic patients. Opalseal is a fluoride-releasing primer that reduces cavities in patients using braces.

Moreover, increasing number of pipeline studies to develop treatment for dental caries is also driving growth of the market in this region. For instance, in October 2018, University of Michigan in collaboration with three other universities, New York University School of Medicine, University of Iowa, and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), initiated phase 3 clinical trial for Silver Diamine Fluoride. The aim of study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride (Sdf) in arresting cavitated caries lesions. The study is expected to be completed in June 2020.

New product launches by key players in Asia Pacific region is expected to drive growth of Asia Pacific dental caries market. For instance, in 2015, Colgate-Palmolive Singapore launched new toothpaste for cavity prevention technology. The toothpaste contains sugar acid neutralizer, which neutralizes the sugar acids before they can harm the teeth. Moreover, the toothpaste also helps in preventing cavity formation by reducing demineralization, and strengthen and restore the tooth enamel.

Key players operating in the dental caries market include Sanofi, Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co, Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Dr.Reddy’s Lab, Novartis AG., Dentsply Sirona Inc., 3M Company, Danaher Corporation, Zimmer Inc., Straumann AG, and Henry-Schein Inc.

Dental Caries Market- Taxonomy

By Treatment Type