We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Macrophage extracellular trap formation and oxidative stress in periodontal cells associated with clear aligner-derived microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Clear aligners (the clear plastic teeth-straighteners) can shed tiny microplastic particles, and lab tests show these particles trigger immune cells to release inflammatory "traps" while causing oxidative stress that damages bone-forming cells near the gums. This early-stage cell study suggests long-term aligner wear might contribute to gum and bone irritation, though more research is needed to confirm this happens in real mouths, not just lab dishes.
Objectives: Microplastics (MPs) released from clear aligner materials may affect periodontal cell responses. This study aimed to investigate whether clear aligner-associated MPs (CAF-MPs) induce oxidative stress and macrophage extracellular trap formation (METosis) in a periodontal co-culture model. Material and Methods: CAF-MPs with different particle sizes were prepared from thermoplastic clear aligner membranes and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. A Transwell co-culture system consisting of RAW264.7 macrophages and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts was established to model macrophage-osteoblast interactions relevant to periodontal cellular responses following CAF-MP exposure. METosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), inflammatory cytokine expression, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling activity were assessed using immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) treatment was used to evaluate the potential contribution of extracellular DNA/METs to CAF-MP-associated cellular responses. Results: CAF-MPs-induced METosis, and different particle size fractions showed endpoint-specific effects on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory activation, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. CAF-MP exposure increased ROS accumulation, disrupted MMP, enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and suppressed Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling in co-cultured MC3T3-E1 cells. DNase I partially attenuated these effects, suggesting that DNase I-sensitive extracellular DNA/METs may contribute to CAF-MP-associated oxidative stress and antioxidant signaling impairment. However, DNase I degradation of extracellular DNA does not uniquely prove METosis as the exclusive upstream driver, and direct particle-induced oxidative injury or soluble leachate-mediated effects cannot be fully excluded. Conclusion: CAF-MPs can induce METosis and oxidative stress-related responses in in vitro macrophages stress-related responses. DNase I-sensitive extracellular DNA/METs may partially contribute to CAF-MP-induced ROS accumulation and Nrf2/HO-1 suppression.
More Papers Like This
Orthodontic Clear Aligners as a Potential Source of Microplastic Exposure: Implications for Human Health and Environmental Sustainability
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Can Clear Aligners Release Microplastics That Impact the Patient’s Overall Health? A Systematic Review
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Experimental assessment of damage and microplastic release during cyclic loading of clear aligners
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastic Release from Clear Aligners: a Clinical Study
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Aligners do shed microplastics: Evidence is clear, clinical risk is not
AI summary Read the abstract
Clear aligners (the plastic trays used instead of metal braces) do release tiny plastic particles called microplastics as you wear them, according to this review of existing research. However, scientists still don't know whether these small amounts actually cause health problems, so the takeaway isn't "stop using aligners" but rather "more research is needed" to understand any real-world risk.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.