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Can Clear Aligners Release Microplastics That Impact the Patient’s Overall Health? A Systematic Review
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This systematic review investigates whether clear orthodontic aligners release microplastics during use in the mouth. The findings raise concerns about a previously overlooked source of direct microplastic exposure, since millions of people wear these plastic devices against their teeth and gums for months or years at a time.
This systematic review aims to further current knowledge on the effects of microplastics from orthodontic clear aligners, identifying potential implications for human health and providing a basis for further research and development of alternative materials. A literature search to find all peer-reviewed citations relevant to the review topic was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library on 31 December 2024. A manual search of grey literature was also performed. There were 62 citations retrieved by the search query, and 11 were selected for inclusion in the review. Four selected studies were in vitro, while seven were in vitro following intraoral material aging studies. Ten studies evaluated the surface morphology of the material after aging, among the mechanical characteristics assessed, while only one article evaluated the chemical characteristics and size of the microplastic particles released from the aligners after simulated in vitro use. Discussion: From the evaluation of the studies included in this review, it is possible to state that there is a gradual increase over time in the surface roughness of the material, and modifications occurred in the morphology and surface topography of the aligners. Furthermore, it emerged that dispersion of microplastics occurs during the use of different types of aligners, with microplastic particle sizes ranging from 5 to 20 μm The findings suggest that clear aligners may cause microplastic dispersion in saliva during therapy, and this could cause a problem for the general health of patients, due to the absorption or ingestion of these released molecules. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of microplastics released from aligners and to find alternative materials that can reduce this occurrence.
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Orthodontic Clear Aligners as a Potential Source of Microplastic Exposure: Implications for Human Health and Environmental Sustainability
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If you're using clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth (like Invisalign), this review of existing research suggests that everyday wear and tear from chewing and saliva may cause them to shed tiny plastic particles into your mouth. Scientists don't yet know how much this affects your health, but it adds to growing concerns about microplastics — tiny plastic fragments already found throughout the human body — while also raising questions about the environmental waste from millions of discarded aligners. More research is needed before we know if this is something to actually worry about.
Microplastic Release from Clear Aligners: a Clinical Study
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Clear plastic teeth aligners, worn by millions to straighten teeth, can shed tiny plastic particles (microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics) into your saliva as you chew and wear them over time. This study is the first to measure this shedding directly in people's mouths, looking at how wear time and cleaning habits affect how much plastic breaks off. Since we don't yet fully know the health effects of swallowing these particles, this research is an important first step in understanding a possible hidden source of microplastic exposure in everyday dental care.
Experimental assessment of damage and microplastic release during cyclic loading of clear aligners
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Researchers tested three popular brands of clear orthodontic aligners under simulated chewing conditions and found that all released microplastic particles during use. Since patients wear aligners for extended periods each day, this represents a direct and ongoing source of microplastic ingestion, raising questions about the cumulative exposure from dental devices that are growing in popularity.
Microplastics and orthodontic aligners: The concerns arising from the modernization of practice through polymers and plastics
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This review highlights that clear plastic orthodontic aligners release microplastics and the chemical BPA (bisphenol A) during normal use in the mouth. The released particles can be swallowed and potentially affect the gut, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and brain. The authors urge the orthodontic field to prioritize patient safety and develop materials that minimize microplastic release from dental devices.
Clear Aligner Treatment: Indications, Advantages, and Adverse Effects—A Systematic Review
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This systematic review of clear aligner orthodontic treatment identified microplastics release as a potential adverse health effect, alongside decreased condyle bone volume. While clear aligners offer oral hygiene advantages over fixed braces, they remain inferior for complex tooth movements, and the microplastic exposure risk from wearing plastic aligners warrants further investigation.
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