Dentistry ends 2025 on a high

The global dental market concluded 2025 with significant momentum, driven by strong fourth-quarter performances from leading manufacturers and a recovery in the North American sector. Major players like Align Technology and Envista reported growth in key areas such as clear aligners, digital implants, and diagnostic equipment, signaling a stabilization of the industry following years of macroeconomic volatility. This year-end surge is particularly significant for the dental sector as it reflects a return to growth in diagnostic sales and a robust expansion into the pediatric orthodontic market.

Align Technology reported a record-breaking fourth quarter with revenues reaching US$1.05 billion, a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. The company achieved a fourth-quarter record by shipping 676,885 aligners, supported by stable sales in North America and strong performance across the EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions. A critical driver for Align remains the teen and child demographic, which accounted for 935,800 Invisalign cases in 2025, representing a 7.8% year-on-year increase. CEO Joseph M. Hogan and CFO John F. Morici noted that these results reflect strong business fundamentals and a cautiously optimistic outlook despite a challenging global macroeconomic environment.

Envista Holdings Corp. demonstrated robust recovery, posting US$750.6 million in fourth-quarter sales, which translates to a core sales growth of 10.8%. CFO Eric Hammes highlighted that this growth was particularly evident in North American implant sales, specifically within the digital and regenerative solution categories. Furthermore, the company’s diagnostics business recorded its third consecutive quarter of growth, marking a significant turnaround after three years of contraction in that segment. CEO Paul Keel characterized the current dental market as 'slow but stable,' noting that Envista’s broad-based performance across its portfolio serves as a positive indicator for the wider industry.

Straumann Group also contributed to the positive year-end trend, reporting fourth-quarter sales of CHF 655.0 million, reflecting a 7.0% organic growth rate. While the North American market showed signs of improvement and distributor Henry Schein posted its highest growth in nearly four years, the industry faced some headwinds, including a slowdown in implant treatments in China. Additionally, industry analysts caution that while 2025 ended on a high note, the onset of conflict in the Middle East has since disrupted energy networks and patient traffic. These geopolitical factors, which emerged after the reporting period, may impact the momentum of the dental sector as it enters the first half of 2026.