21 November 2022

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Survey: Cosmetic dentistry state of the industry

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry looks at trends, practice details

Mary Guiden

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In a new survey published by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), clinicians said that the average amount spent by patients in 2021 was $4,680. The figure is higher than the 2019 average of $4,336 but lower than in 2017. Accredited members reported an average patient spend of $8,420.

The use of digital smile design and 3-D printing increased compared to 2019, with four in ten or 42% of respondents using digital smile design and one-third or 32% of practices using 3-D printing. Use of both technologies increased among all member types but more among AACD members, with digital smile design increasing 11 percentage points to 49% and 3-D printing increasing 17 points to 38% among members. Use of these technologies has grown more among group practices than among solo practitioners.

Esthetic considerations remained the top reason for selecting a lab at 69%, though fewer dentists of all member types selected this as a primary consideration. Procedure or specialty is the only consideration that increased compared to 2019, with accredited members selecting this option by an increase of 14 percentage points, more than general members or non-members.

Labs located in the U.S. are also less preferred, based on the survey results, with a decline among all members, down from 19% to five %.

Learn more about the AACD survey, which also analyzed scope of practice, total number of employees, practice location, respondent demographics and more at: https://aacd.com/  

About the survey

This single‐mode survey — email driving to an online instrument — of dental practices was conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Acuitim Marketing Research and Consultancy to better understand the dynamics of the cosmetic dentistry market and determine the size and impact— in terms of procedures and revenues—and the patient makeup of this market.

Data for the 2022 study was collected between Aug. 1 - 31, 2022. A total of 474 responses were tabulated, with fewer respondents completing the latter portion of the survey. The net number of respondents is noted on each exhibit.