US Orthodontics Market Size and Forecast 2026 to 2035
The US orthodontics market size accounted for USD 7.02 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 7.87 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 20.63 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 11.40% from 2026 to 2035. The market is driven by rising demand for clear aligners and cosmetic dental procedures, increasing awareness of oral health, technological advancements in digital orthodontics, and escalating insurance coverage.
Key Takeaways
- By product, the supplies segment dominated the market in 2025.
- By product, the instruments segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
- By end user, the dental clinics segment dominated the market in 2025.
- By end user, the hospitals segment is expected to show lucrative growth during the forecast period.
- By age group, the adults segment held the largest market share in 2025.
- By age group, the children segment is expected to grow at a notable CAGR during the forecast period.
Market Overview
The U.S. orthodontics market refers to identifying, preventing, and treating misalignment of teeth and/or jaws using multiple methods, including traditional orthodontic braces, clear aligners, associated accessories like retainers, lingual braces, and more recent technological innovations building on "digital orthodontics" like CAD/CAM, AI-assisted treatment planning, 3D imaging/digital scanning.
The growth of this sector is supported by many factors, including increased awareness of oral health, increased demand for aesthetic-based treatment options, and a larger number of patients obtaining treatment through clear aligners. Technological advances in orthodontics, like 3D imaging, CAD/CAM systems, artificial intelligence-assisted (AI-assisted) treatment planning, and digital scanning, are also resulting in improved accuracy of treatments and overall outcomes for patients. The recent increase in availability of orthodontic care due to increased disposable income and a growing preference for less visible forms of orthodontics continues to support the growth of this market throughout the U.S.
How is AI Transforming the U.S. Orthodontics Market?
The advent of AI-based technologies is transforming the market by improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and outcomes. Orthodontists are now able to utilize AI software to assess dental x-rays more quickly, forecast how teeth will shift, and produce more individualized treatment plans more effectively than ever before. Advancements in the use of clear aligners in combination with digital scanning and cloud-based orthodontic systems are propelling the growth of the market.
Additionally, by providing automated workflow processes and real-time monitoring systems, AI reduces the time needed for orthodontic treatment from beginning to end. As more clinics and dental service organizations in the U.S. invest in digital dentistry, there will be increasing opportunities for clinics and dental service organizations to develop and install state-of-the-art AI-enabled orthodontic systems.
U.S. Orthodontics Market Trends
- The U.S. is the world's largest orthodontics market due to increased awareness of aesthetic dental appearance, an increase in adults seeking to align their teeth, and a rapid increase in the use of clear removable aligners and digital orthodontic technology. As stated by the American Association of Orthodontists, there are approximately 4 million people in orthodontic treatment in the U.S.
- Pediatric orthodontic services are a major source of demand. Data from Industry and Public Health entities indicate that approximately 45% of children between the ages of 12 and 15 years are affected by malocclusion and will therefore require early orthodontic intervention and corrective procedures to treat malocclusion.
- More adults are seeking out orthodontic treatment, and this has resulted in a growing percentage of treatment volumes. An increased acceptance of clear, removable aligners and cosmetic dental procedures for adults is driving this increase. Advanced use of digital treatment planning systems and 3D imaging technologies is making orthodontic treatments more efficient.
- Government-funded research supports innovation in orthodontic technology and craniofacial care. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) operates with an annual funding budget of over $520 million and gives approximately 785 grants supporting research into dental, oral, and craniofacial markets, including technologies associated with orthodontic treatments and diagnoses.
Market Report Coverage and Key Metrics
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 7.02 Billion |
| Market Size in 2026 | USD 7.87 Billion |
| Market Size by 2035 | USD 20.63 Billion |
| Growth Rate from 2026 to 2035 | CAGR of 11.40% |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 to 2035 |
| Segments Covered | Product, Age Group, and End User |
Market Dynamics
Drivers
Increased Demand for Aesthetic Dentistry
An increasing awareness of both dental appearance and the aesthetics of the face has driven the high rate of demand for orthodontic treatments. New treatment options such as clear aligners, adult orthodontics, and less visible braces also contribute to the high demand for orthodontic services. Additionally, growing disposable income and social media activity are both contributing factors to the market.
Restraint
High Costs of Treatment and Limited Insurance Reimbursement
Most individuals who require orthodontics will incur significant expenditures for their orthodontics. Advanced aligner system costs and long-term treatment durations result in a majority of patients incurring out-of-pocket expenses. Many dental insurance plans only provide limited orthodontic coverage, resulting in high out-of-pocket costs for most patients. When a patient has no dental insurance or doesn't have enough income to afford their orthodontics, they will likely not pursue orthodontics.
Opportunity
Expansion of the Digital Orthodontics and use of AI
The use of AI with digital technology, including 3D imaging and remote patient monitoring, provides an excellent growth opportunity for the market. Digital technology enables a more precise treatment plan for the patient and provides added convenience. Additionally, increased investments to further advance digital dental technology will lead to additional advancements in the market.
Market Segmentation Analysis
Product Insights
Which Product Segment Dominated the U.S. Orthodontics Market?
The supplies segment dominated the market in 2025. Supplies include consumable products (brackets, archwires, bands, retainers, and aligners) that need to be continually purchased during treatment. Dental professionals potentiate the need for orthodontics to be repurchased, and many can be modified to fit each patient by custom fit. As the average number of orthodontic cases increases and more advanced treatment offerings become available via greater access to sophisticated solutions, the supplies segment will continue to dominate the orthodontic marketplace.
The instruments segment is expected to grow at a notable CAGR in the market during the studied years, due to increasing capital investments in advanced ortho technology and digital dentistry, which will improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall experience of the patients being treated by a dentist. Additionally, there is a growing patient preference for less invasive procedures, and there is a growing use of modern ortho techniques. Each of these factors will contribute to the rapid adoption of instrumentation that represents the next wave of orthodontic technology.
End User Insights
Why Did the Dental Clinics Segment Dominate the U.S. Orthodontics Market?
The dental clinics segment led the market in 2025, due to their role as the primary source for providing orthodontic consultations, diagnoses, and treatments. The broad coverage, high levels of expertise, and access to dentistry create a large number of patients who receive care from dental clinics that continue to grow through their adoption of digital treatment planning and aesthetic orthodontic solutions.
The hospitals segment is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years, due to the growing supply of specialized dental/maxillofacial care services. The increasing demand for multidisciplinary forms of treatment, including complex orthodontic and surgical cases, is a key driver for growth. Specifically, investment in advanced healthcare facilities and integrated forms of oral care service has positively impacted this segment's growth.
Age Group Insights
How the Adults Segment Dominated the U.S. Orthodontics Market?
The adults segment accounted for the highest market share in 2025, as adults are becoming more aware of oral aesthetics, and this has also increased the acceptance of adult orthodontic treatments in general. The availability of clear aligners, especially with the emergence of many companies that provide access to them, has enabled working professionals to use orthodontic treatment. A significant increase in the amount that working professionals are willing and able to spend on orthodontic treatment for themselves.
The children segment is expected to show lucrative growth in the predicted timeframe, as children are more prone to orthodontic disorders. In turn, parents and dental professionals are increasingly paying attention to excessively misaligned teeth during childhood through clear aligners. An increased number of children visiting a dentist for preventive care, the development of new preventive care programs, and recommendations for early orthodontic and dental treatment are driving the segment's growth.
Market Competitive Landscape: Leading Companies and Strategies
The U.S. orthodontics market is semi-consolidated and consists mainly of established healthcare technology vendors and specialized AI developers, all competing against one another for their share of the market. Many leading companies include GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Philips, and IBM, as well as several emerging AI-focused startups. Overall, they are characterized by having superior imaging technologies, being able to offer customers an extensive product portfolio, strong clinical partnerships with healthcare providers, and extensive national distribution networks.
Competition within the industry is driven by ongoing enhancements of AI algorithms, FDA-cleared product launches, strategic partnerships and acquisitions, and investments by companies in machine learning research to improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.
The major barriers to entry are high public regulation requirements, high research and development costs, compliance with consumer data privacy law, and various forms of intellectual property protections. As new companies begin to enter this space, the level of competition is likely to increase considerably due to the rapid adoption of AI throughout radiology and diagnostic imaging applications.
U.S. Orthodontics Market Companies
- 3M Company
- Align Technology, Inc.
- American Orthodontics
- Danaher Corporation
- Dentaurum GmbH & Co. KG
- DENTSPLY International, Inc.
- G&H Orthodontics, Inc.
- Henry Schein, Inc.
- Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, Inc.
- TP Orthodontics, Inc.
Recent Developments U.S. Orthodontics Market (2025-2026)
- In May 2026, Medit announced the creation of its global Orthodontic Business Division and acquired Progressive Orthodontics to strengthen its presence in digital orthodontics. The initiative combines Medit's 3D scanning and AI-powered software capabilities with orthodontic education and training, supporting the adoption of fully digital treatment workflows worldwide.(Source: https://www.dentistrytoday.com)
- In April 2026, LightForce launched LightBracket Metal™, the first patient-specific 3D-printed metal bracket designed from individual treatment plans. The innovation expands personalized orthodontic care by offering customized brackets for each tooth, aiming to improve treatment precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes compared with conventional braces.(Source: https://3dprintingindustry.com)
Segments Covered in the Report
By Product
- Instruments
- Supplies
- Fixed
- Archwires
- Brackets
- Bands and Buccal Tubes
- Others
- Removable
- Retainers
- Aligners
- Others
- Fixed
By End User
- Hospitals
- Dental Clinics
- Others
By Age Group
- Adults
- Children
For inquiries regarding discounts, bulk purchases, or customization requests, please contact us at sales@precedenceresearch.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask For Sample
No cookie-cutter, only authentic analysis – take the 1st step to become a Precedence Research client
Get a Sample
Table Of Content
sales@precedenceresearch.com
+1 804-441-9344
Schedule a Meeting