Dental Biomaterial Market – An Overview

Like medicine, dentistry too has been subjected to advancements due to a myriad of developments that fall under the purview of biomedical engineering, biomedical science, pharmacology, pharmacy, among others. Further the evolution of tissue engineering, which in the present times has become a state-of-the-art medical science and is expected in the near future to supplant traditional therapies that cause significant side effects.  In view of the principles that are integral to tissue engineering which include cells, environmental factors, and molecules signaling biomaterials have emerged as a key constituent ensuring the successful functioning of tissue-engineered products facilitating dental tissue replacements. Additionally, it is important to note that currently among the most common methods used in the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds like hydrogels, molecular self-assembly, particulate-leaching techniques, solvent casting, thermally induced phase separation, electrospinning process is the most widely used method in the production of tissue-engineered teeth.

Significant developments in the dental biomaterial market during the forecast period is expected to result in healthy growth

The area of oral health in the healthcare industry has witnessed the remarkable development of biomaterial. For use in dentistry, it is important to note that biomaterials are either directly prepared and placed in a tooth cavity or indirectly made in a laboratory and cemented in the cavity. To this end, a variety of biomaterials like dental amalgams, glass ionomer cement, gold, polymer composites, and resin cement have been used as directed restorative materials. Among the above dental amalgam is the popular most biomaterial that has been used successfully in dentistry for quite a few years. It is made out of a mixture of metal alloy and liquid mercury and is primarily intended for dental restorations. The metal alloy component of this biomaterial constitutes of composition that comprises copper, silver, tin, and traces of other metals. Moreover, the useful properties like excellent durability and strength rendered by the unique composition are partly responsible for d the long service life of the aforementioned type of biomaterial market. Metallic biomaterials like dental amalgam are relatively cost-effective and widely used mainly for the restoration of tooth cavities. Nevertheless, the inclusion of elemental mercury within the composition of amalgam fillings has been subject to a major concern since mechanical friction from the teeth onto the amalgam and dissolving of mercury in saliva results in the release of mercury. Moreover, according to FDA, the build-up of or steadily increasing concentration of a chemical in organs or tissues in the body which is known as bioaccumulation is one of the reasons that make dental amalgams potentially threatening and led to a decline in use in certain countries.

Nevertheless, the dental biomaterial market is also witnessing the development of ceramics-based biomaterials intended for teeth repair. For instance, Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is a ceramic biomaterial that has been explored for various applications and showed promising mechanical properties Viz. hardness, strength, wear-resistance and physical properties Viz. resistance to thermal shock and high-temperature stability. Besides, medical-grade Si3N4 is stable, biocompatible, and partially radiolucent material. In terms of dental implant applications, its antibacterial properties can potentially be beneficial compared to the titania particles, which may shed in the peri-prosthetic tissues, thus lowering the risk of failure. Another important development that has the potential to positively impact the dental biomaterial market is the increase in the number of implant-mediated microbial diseases. This is due to the widespread use of implants through the means of dental biomaterials which has reportedly altered the ecological conditions of treated parts of the oral cavity subsequently leading to quantitative and qualitative changes in biofilm formation on or around dental restorations. Moreover, stemming from the same requirement the additional possibilities of incorporating phyto-derived compounds into biomaterials as well as the discovery of new phytotherapeutic compounds have been of high relevance to dentistry due to the feasibility of phytotherapy for the control and prevention of the development of oral pathologies. As a result, there lie ample opportunities for market players to invest in antimicrobial dental biomaterials product development leading to the growth of the dental biomaterial market.

The rise in health tourism is expected to drive the growth of the dental biomaterials market during the forecast period.

Both the APAC and the MEA have emerged as the hub for medical tourism. Health tourism just like global healthcare is an industry that is primarily driven by the consumer whereby the services are distinctively sought by patients who seek elective procedures as well as complex specialized surgeries such as dental surgery, and cosmetic surgeries among others. To this end, it is important to note that a triple entry has been enabled by the Government of India which has been reportedly permitted for e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa. There also is an extension that may be granted up to 6 months on case to case basis as deemed fit by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) concerned. Besides, as of 2018, the approximate foreign exchange earnings derived from tourism were in the order of US $25.8 billion [Source: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India].

In the case of the UAE, the healthcare industry has been profoundly impacted by health tourism. A special emphasis was given to the sector when in 2014, the crown prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, had reportedly approved the Dubai Health Tourism Strategy, with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) overseeing its execution resulting in the formation of Health Tourism Council- DHA to enable Dubai to attain global recognition for being the trusted destination for elective health and wellness treatments. This has effectuated in the marked shift consequently the healthcare sector of UAE. Furthermore, the number of overseas patients was 1,207 during the year 2018. The UK sought overseas treatments by the highest proportion of patients (28.3%), followed by German (25.9%), then followed by Thailand (15.8%) Then the USA (6.9%). [Source: Dubai Annual Health Statistical Report]. Considering the growth of medical tourism thus the influx of patients from foreign countries, the need for effective dental biomaterials is poised to drive healthy growth of the market during the forecast period.