A New Twist on Aligners: Innovations That Up the Ante
In 1997, two Stanford University students invested the first clear aligner system known as Invisalign®.
A New Twist on Aligners: Innovations That Up the Ante
In 1997, two Stanford University students invested the first clear aligner system known as Invisalign®.
In 1997, two Stanford University students invested the first clear aligner system known as Invisalign®. Today, the market is jam-packed with such players as Candid, SmileDirectClub, Henry Schein, Inc. and Envista, filling the demand for non-traditional orthodontic products.
The future for aligners is especially bright.
A recent report by Fortune Business Insights™ predicts the U.S. clear aligners market to grow from $1.52 billion in 2021 to $4.55 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.0% from 2021-2028. Why the resurgence? The report credits increased product demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over. It also cites the increasing prevalence of malocclusion in the U.S. According to the World Health Organization estimates, around 15%-20% of the U.S. population suffers from malocclusion. Of course, not all aligners are created equal.
“It’s an exciting time in oral health,” says Dr. Jeremy N. Krell General Partner of Revere Partners, the first and only independent Venture Fund for oral health. “We’re seeing innovative solutions that add a powerful ‘twist’ to the aligner space.”
Case in point: biometric sensors can be safely placed in the oral cavity to monitor acidity and temperature. This is key since acidity below 5.5, the environment favors demineralization of the teeth. Another example are smart cases that could house a removable oral appliance in between uses. The case could not only determine location, but also remind the user to use the device and track that usage to improve compliance.”
Collaborating for better products and outcomes.
“We believe in collaboration,” adds Dr. Krell. “There’s never too little product choice in dental. All too often, it’s an issue, however, where the systems simply aren’t compatible with each other.” Revere Partners addresses that challenge head on by making investments in companies that seamlessly work together. In the microbiome space, collaboration would consist of a consumer education platform, a true diagnostic, and therapeutics. “You could easily also apply this to AI or intraoral tests that detect early decay and then lead to therapeutics to treat that decay.”
As the market for aligners continues to grow, so will the demand for innovative products. Companies such as Revere Partners are poised to help up the ante and take aligners well beyond the next level.
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Our investment thesis
The dental sector remains ripe for disruption, though has not seen the influx of investment capital that many other industries, including similar healthcare industries, have seen in the recent past. Our research shows that an exceptional investment opportunity exists in the dental sector, particularly in early-stage companies. The dental industry consists of many large corporations, private practices, and start-ups with great ideas, but they are fragmented and disconnected. Revere seeks to bring those disparate pieces together — Connecting like-minded founders or compatible products and services with the investment dollars and industry leaders they require to grow their businesses. We identify and elevate high-growth product and service sectors within dentistry that can ultimately optimize outcomes for both providers and their patients, serving in all roles from lead investor to strategic investor to founder-friendly advisor— and are always looking for an opportunity to follow on in future rounds.
