Supply Chain Is Normalized—So Why Does Everything Still Cost More?

Supply chain is normalized. Shipping times are normal. Inventory is available. So why does everything still cost more? Because the price hike was never about scarcity. It was about power.

The actual situation: 2023-2024 supply shortages are gone. You can get composite, burs, gloves, impression materials in two days. Stock isn't an issue anymore. But prices stayed inflated. A box of gloves that was $0.08 per unit before COVID is now $0.15. Composite hit a ceiling. Instruments maintained higher margins.

Why vendors kept prices high: Once the supply crisis passed, they had a choice. Return to 2019 pricing or normalize at 2023-2024 levels. They chose option two. For public companies, admitting supply pressure is the only reason for price increases would crater margins in front of investors. So they bundled price into "new formulations," "improved quality," and "market conditions."

The frustrating part: It worked. Practices accepted the new price ceiling. And now it's sticky. Vendors know you'll pay it.

What to do: Consolidate suppliers. Get competitive bids quarterly. Negotiate volume discounts aggressively. You have leverage now. Use it. Most practices left 5-10 percent on the table by not renegotiating when supply returned to normal.