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Orthodontic Clear Aligners as a Potential Source of Microplastic Exposure: Implications for Human Health and Environmental Sustainability
Summary
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.
The widespread adoption of clear aligners has transformed contemporary orthodontic practice by providing an aesthetic and comfortable alternative to conventional fixed appliances. These appliances are primarily manufactured from thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyurethane, and polycarbonate. Although aligner therapy offers numerous clinical advantages, increasing attention has been directed toward the potential release of microplastics resulting from the mechanical and chemical degradation of these materials in the oral environment. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have recently been detected in various human tissues and environmental systems, raising concerns regarding their potential biological and ecological impact. This narrative review aims to summarize current scientific evidence regarding microplastic release from orthodontic clear aligners and to discuss its potential implications for human health and environmental sustainability. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify English-language publications published between 2020 and 2026. Studies addressing aligner materials, polymer degradation mechanisms, experimental evidence of microplastic release, and the biological or environmental effects of microplastic exposure were included. Available studies indicate that orthodontic aligners may release micro- and nanoplastic particles due to mechanical wear, cyclic loading, and chemical interactions with saliva. Additionally, the increasing global use and disposal of thermoplastic aligners may contribute to environmental plastic pollution. Further interdisciplinary research is required to clarify the clinical significance of these findings and to support the development of safer and more sustainable orthodontic materials.