The Canadian dental implant market achieved moderate growth of 5.6% in 2009, while the struggling U.S. economy led to a shrinking market last year, according to Millennium Research Group (MRG).
The greatest discrepancy was seen in the North American market for regular-diameter dental implant fixtures, MRG noted. As volumes shrank in the U.S., prices dropped as manufacturers attempted to maintain volumes through discounting. As a result, the U.S. regular-diameter dental implant fixture market experienced a moderate decline, according to the company.
In Canada, however, the economic downturn had less of an impact on this market, with volumes continuing to grow, albeit at a slower pace.
"In 2009, the economy strongly affected the U.S. market for dental implants," said Emily MacIntosh, analyst at MRG. "This market was characterized by cost cutting, where dental practitioners sought discounts and low-cost components. Meanwhile, patients sought lower-cost solutions, which often excluded regular-diameter dental implants."
The Canadian market, which normally echoes U.S. trends, was in a better economic position in 2009 and continued business as usual, resulting in moderate growth, she concluded.
Copyright © 2010 DrBicuspid.com
