Is 3D Systems (DDD) Poised for a Comeback in 2026?

The question of whether 3D Systems (DDD) can reclaim its footing in 2026 hinges on its ability to leverage strategic regulatory milestones and product innovations in healthcare. After a challenging 2025 marked by revenue declines and margin pressures, the company has taken steps to reposition itself in high-growth markets, particularly orthopedics and dentistry. With recent FDA clearances, new product launches, and a broader industry tailwind in medical 3D printing, investor optimism is cautiously building.

Regulatory Breakthroughs: Expanding Access and Reimbursement

3D Systems' recent FDA 510(k) clearance for its VSP® Orthopedics platform to include skeletally mature adolescents represents a pivotal expansion. This approval eliminates the need for case-by-case compassionate-use authorizations and hospital IRB reviews, streamlining workflows for surgeons and converting off-label usage into reimbursable procedures. The platform now targets over 3,800 annual U.S. cases involving osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and primary bone cancers in young patients-a high-acuity, underserved market. By addressing this niche, 3D Systems is positioning itself to capture double-digit growth in its Healthcare segment, as noted in its investor communications.

Complementing this, the NextDent Jetted Denture Solution, launched in July 2025, leverages multi-material, monolithic jetting to produce durable, aesthetically superior dentures with 300% efficiency gains. The system, now in U.S. shipments via the NextDent 300 printer, is expected to bolster the company's digital dentistry portfolio, a segment projected to grow at a 20.5% CAGR through 2030.

Strategic Product Innovation and Market Positioning

Beyond regulatory wins, 3D Systems has introduced solutions like the SLA 825 Dual for high-throughput applications and ArrayCast™, a tooling-free investment casting system. These innovations aim to enhance design flexibility and reduce costs, aligning with the company's focus on high-margin, recurring revenue models. Analysts from Cantor Fitzgerald have raised their price target to $4.75 per share, citing confidence in the company's ability to execute its strategy.

However, the path to recovery is not without hurdles. Q3 2025 results showed a 22% year-over-year decline in Healthcare Solutions revenue, attributed to macroeconomic pressures and delayed capital expenditures. Despite this, the dental segment has shown stabilization, driven by demand for the NextDent line. The company's cost-cutting initiatives and refocused portfolio are critical to turning current losses into sustainable profitability by 2026.

Industry Tailwinds and Competitive Landscape

The broader 3D printing healthcare market is surging, with the medical implants segment valued at $2.66 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $3.15 billion in 2026 at a 15.91% CAGR. North America, led by the U.S., dominates this growth, driven by demand for patient-specific implants and advancements in bioprinting. 3D Systems competes with firms like Stratasys and Desktop Metal but holds a unique edge in polymer and metal printing systems for orthopedic and dental applications.

Investor sentiment remains mixed. While the median price target of $3.63 per share implies a 104.8% upside from current levels, the company's gross margins and net profit margins remain under pressure. A slight increase in the discount rate to 10.60% signals heightened risk perception. Yet, the market's rapid expansion-particularly in dentistry, where 3D printing revenue is expected to grow from $3.96 billion in 2025 to $10.06 billion by 2030-offers a compelling backdrop for 3D Systems' recovery.

Conclusion: A Cautious Optimism for 2026

3D Systems' 2026 comeback potential rests on its ability to capitalize on regulatory approvals, product efficiency gains, and industry growth. The VSP Orthopedics expansion and NextDent denture solution directly address underserved markets with strong reimbursement potential. Meanwhile, the company's cost discipline and innovation pipeline align with broader trends in personalized medicine. While challenges persist-such as macroeconomic headwinds and competitive pressures-the confluence of strategic execution and market tailwinds suggests a plausible path to renewed growth. For investors, the key will be monitoring Q4 2025 performance and the pace of global regulatory approvals for the NextDent 300 printer.