Research on the Introduction of 3D Printing Dental Applications to Taiwan Market

• Main Authors: Ting-Chun Kuo, 郭亭君
• Other Authors: 游張松
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/cfc784

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 商學研究所 === 105 === In the era of digital dentistry, the development of 3D printing dental applications becomes mature. 3D printing dental application brings great benefit to the market, such as the improvement of manufacturing effectiveness and the new market potentials for dental service. Although there are multiple 3D printer players (3D Systems, Stratasys, DWS…) providing 3D printing dental solutions to Taiwan market, the penetration rate is still far below expectation. Therefore, the study aims to identify the strategies of introducing 3D printing dental application to Taiwan market from distributor’s perspective, and also to verify the “Value Creation Cycle (VCC)” of 3D printing dental applications. The study is divided into five sections: The first sector explains research background, objectives, and research process ; the second part illustrates the relevant background knowledge and theory implemented in the study, including the explanation of theoretical structure applied in the study ─ value creation cycle (VCC, Value Creation Cycle), the categories of 3D printing technology, and the fields at which 3D printing dental applications benefit. The third sector is regarding the analysis of Taiwan dental industry, including the opportunities and difficulties of 3D dental application in Taiwan market. Based on the analysis of the third sector, the fourth part further infers the market entrance strategy and value creation cycle in 3D printing dental application market. Finally, the fifth part summarizes the findings of the study. The study started from analyzing the relationship of each stakeholder in dental industry through applying VCC structure and founded that “labs” and “dentists” have great influence over the introduction of new technologies. Since labs and dentists mainly greatly followed the standards and trend proposed by “industry alliance”, we concluded that “alliance” is the key to initiate value creation cycle in the dental industry. Next, the study further explored the opportunities and the challenges of 3D printing application in Taiwan market. The study found that the main two opportunities of 3D printing application are the manufacturing of “waxes ups” for crown & bridge, and also the “clear alignment” in orthodontics. For “waxes up”, compared with the traditional manufacturing process, 3D printing process greatly reduces the cost and increases the manufacturing efficiency, which brings great benefit to labs. As for orthodontics, the application of clear alignment creates a brilliant market potential for both labs and dentists. However, due to the requirement of compatible software and professional technicians when implementing 3D printers, both labs and dentists have concerns over the introduction of 3D dental application, afraid of “the high capital investment”, “the lack of professional technicians” and also “market uncertainty”. After realizing the opportunities and challenges of 3D dental applications, the study identified the key elements of introducing 3D dental application to Taiwan market and also came up with market entrance and expansion strategy. The study concluded that “the formation of alliance” is the key strategy to the 3D dental applications market entrance and expansion. With the development of an alliance between DKSH and the lab, the “standard” of 3D printing dental application could be set, which would further influence the “technology development” and “product manufacturing”, and creating “product innovations”. Continuing with product innovations, the establishment of “brand” would promote 3D printing dental application to “channels” and “customers” sides, which would bring up market & technology transformation, create value innovation, and lead to value creation cycle.