Middle Eastern dental imaging market

Donna Santos

Dr Kamran Zamanian

Mon. 5. January 2026

save

Dental imaging has been a corner-stone of diagnostic and procedural dentistry for well over a century. The first foundational principles of dental radiography emerged in the 1890s and evolved over subsequent decades. This progress was followed by broader clinical adoption of extra-oral imaging technologies, which became commercially available by the mid-twentieth century and enabled a comprehensive view of the entire oral and maxillofacial region. A further transformation in treatment planning for complex procedures such as those involved in implant therapy and orthodontic care came with the advent of CBCT between the 1980s and 1990s.¹

In the following decades, intra-oral scanners were developed, ushering in the era of digital impressions and CAD. The market has seen rapid launches of advanced imaging products, fuelled by digitisation, modernisation, and the demand for more effective and cost-efficient diagnostic tools. Now, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to catalyse a major shift in dental imaging, bringing enhanced diagnostic accuracy and greater workflow automation and efficiency.

Market value and trends

According to iData Research, the Middle Eastern market for dental imaging devices encompasses countries such as Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as other markets in the region. This market was valued at over US$130 million (€124 million^*) last yar and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.5% through to 2031, exceeding US$180 million.²

CBCT technology stands out as the dominant segment, accounting for the largest share of overall market value (Fig. 1). This substantial share is primarily attributable to the significantly higher average selling prices of CBCT units compared with those of other diagnostic imaging devices. Importantly, CBCT is not only the largest segment but also projected to be the fastest-growing (Fig. 2).² Following CBCT is the intra-oral radiography segment.

Fig. 1: Middle Eastern dental imaging market by segment in 2025. (Source: iData Research)

The role of AI

AI is moving from trend to infrastructure in dental diagnostics. The role of deep learning algorithms in dental imaging has expanded significantly in recent years. AI now supports automated detection of dental disease from 2D radiographs, CBCT scans and intra-oral scans with high accuracy, and predictive models are being developed to anticipate the progression of conditions such as periodontal disease based on longitudinal imaging data. These tools support earlier intervention and may help to reduce the need for more invasive treatment.

In a 2022 cross-sectional survey among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia, approximately one-quarter reported having used dental AI applications, and overall attitudes towards AI in dentistry were positive.³ Against this backdrop, the use of AI—not only in devices but throughout the dental workflow—is expected to continue to expand.

This shift is illustrated by continuous product innovation by leading manufacturers. Planmeca, for example, has integrated AI into its ProMax 3D platform and Romexis 7 software. AI tools within Romexis 7 automatically recognise and segment major oral anatomies and detect the mandibular nerve in CBCT images, acting as a smart assistant that supports implant planning and other complex procedures.

“CBCT is not only the largest segment but also projected to be the fastest-growing.”

AI is also being applied to challenges in the image acquisition process itself. Patient positioning is a well-recognised source of error in panoramic and cephalometric imaging, potentially necessitating retakes and thus additional radiation exposure. To address this, Dürr Dental’s VistaPano S 2.0 employs S-Pan technology, which selects the areas that best represent the individual’s anatomy from multiple slices to generate a clearer image and streamline the workflow.

Intra-oral scanners are following the same trajectory. Several manufacturers launched scanners with embedded AI last year, including Dentsply Sirona, 3Shape and SHINING 3D. SHINING 3D’s Aoralscan Elf intra-oral scanner is an ultra-lightweight device with AI capabilities that transform plaque visualisation into quantifiable digital data, enabling full-mouth plaque analysis and visit-to-visit comparison.

Dentsply Sirona’s Primescan 2, positioned by the company as the first cloud-native intra-oral scanning solution, combines AI with near-infrared and fluorescence imaging to assist in caries detection. Advanced algorithms help distinguish stable structures from movement artefacts and stitch the sharpest data into a ready-to-use file, reducing the need for manual clean-up and tracing.

Beyond processing and artefact removal, AI is helping to overcome workflow challenges such as strict scanning strategies. With conventional intra-oral scanners, deviating from the recommended scanning path often results in stitching errors and the need for repeat scans. Introduced with 3Shape’s TRIOS 5 ScanAssist engine—and further expanded in TRIOS 6—AI-based scan alignment allows scanning in virtually any direction while still achieving accurate results.

Competitive landscape

A number of major manufacturers are shaping the dental imaging market dynamics across the Middle East. The following overview discusses the most prominent competitors in the market alphabetically.

Carestream Dental
Carestream Dental remains a major force in the extra-oral radiography and CBCT device markets. Last year, the company introduced the CS 8200 3D Advance Edition, expanding its CBCT offering. Its current portfolio also includes the CS 9600 system.

Also last year, Straumann and Carestream Dental announced a strategic collaboration to link the Straumann SIRIOS intra-oral scanner with Carestream Dental’s imaging portfolio, aiming to streamline digital workflows and enhance integration between scanning and imaging systems.

Fig. 2: Growth of the Middle Eastern dental imaging market by segment between 2025 and 2031. (Source: iData Research)

Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona competes across all major dental imaging segments and continues to strengthen its comprehensive portfolio. In 2024, the company launched the Primescan 2 intra-oral scanner in combination with the DS Core cloud platform, followed by AI-powered caries detection and further software enhancements in 2025. In intra-oral radiography, the Heliodent Plus generator is combined with the Schick digital intra-oral sensor line, including the Schick 33 and Schick AE sensors.

In the extra-oral segment, Dentsply Sirona offers the Orthophos line of panoramic units. The Orthophos S and Orthophos SL models are available in both 2D panoramic and CBCT configurations, and the portfolio is complemented by the high-end Axeos CBCT scanner. Dentsply Sirona has also collaborated with Siemens Healthineers to develop the MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition, an MRI system designed for dental and maxillofacial diagnostics.

DEXIS
DEXIS plays a significant role in digital imaging and is expanding its digital ecosystem. Following the acquisition of Carestream Dental’s intra-oral scanner business, the company launched the wireless DEXIS Imprevo intra-oral scanner last year.

In extra-oral imaging, DEXIS markets the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP 3D lines, including the EX and LX models. These are complemented by the i-CAT FLX V-Series, which provides a premium CBCT option for advanced 3D imaging indications. In intra-oral radiography, it offers the DEXIS Ti2 intra-oral sensor and the NOMAD Pro 2 handheld intra-oral radiography unit.

Planmeca
Planmeca remains a powerhouse in digital imaging. Last year, the company introduced the Planmeca Viso G1 CBCT unit, which combines high-end 3D imaging with the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol and the Planmeca CALM algorithm for patient movement artefact correction.

Also last year, Planmeca added the Planmeca ProX GO handheld device to its intra-oral radiography portfolio, which includes the wall-mounted Planmeca ProX radiography unit and the Planmeca ProSensor HD digital intra-oral sensors. These imaging devices are tightly integrated with the Planmeca Romexis 7 software platform, which embeds AI tools for anatomy recognition, tooth numbering and implant planning.

Vatech
Vatech is another key participant in the dental imaging arena. Its extra-oral portfolio includes the Green X and Green CT lines. The Green X 18 is its flagship four-in-one digital radiography system, combining panoramic, CBCT, cephalometric and model scanning capabilities.

For intra-oral imaging, Vatech offers the EzSensor line (EzSensor Classic and EzSensor P), complemented by the EzRay Air series of intra-oral radiography generators and the EzScan intra-oral scanner.

Conclusion

The dental imaging market in the Middle East is poised for continued growth, driven by strong demand for digitisation and modernisation that enhances both diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. AI is set to play a central role in device innovation, from acquisition and reconstruction to diagnosis and workflow orchestration, improving clinical productivity and supporting a more comfortable experience for patients. Combined with the aggressive product development and marketing strategies of major competitors, these technological advances are expected to be key drivers of market growth and transformation in the coming years.

Editorial note:

^* Calculated on the OANDA platform for 21 February 2025.

References

Hagi FS. The history of dental radiology: a review. Bull Natl Inst Health Sci. 2023 Mar;141(3):3345–56.
iData Research. Dental imaging market size, share & trend analysis | global | 2025-2031 | MedSuite | includes: intraoral X-ray imaging, extraoral X-ray imaging, CBCT, and 2 more. Burnaby (BC): iData Research; 2025 Feb 21 [cited 2025 Nov 28]. Available from: https://idataresearch.com/product/dental-imaging-market/.
Aboalshamat KT. Perception and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia. Open Dent J. 2022 Oct 6;16 Suppl 4:e187421062208110. doi: 10.2174/18742106-v16-e2208110.