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Study of Damage and Microplastic Release in Clear Aligners Under Cyclic Loads
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Researchers tested clear dental aligners under repeated compression forces simulating normal swallowing over a full usage period. They found that while the aligners maintained stable mechanical performance, the wear process did release microplastic particles, though most were relatively large in size. The study suggests that the microplastics shed from dental aligners are likely too large to pass through the gut lining, indicating limited health risk from this source.
In this research work, the mechanical performance of a thermoformed clear dental aligner is studied. Its performance is evaluated under the cyclic compression test, which is designed to simulate the occlusal forces applied on the aligner during swallowing operations for its entire usage period. The mechanical results show that the aligner exhibit stable energy absorption and stiffness behaviour throughout its use period and thus can potentially be used for clinical applications. The microplastic released from the aligner due to the fatigue-like damage is analysed using optical microscopy. Most of the microplastics released have larger dimensions, which may be excreted from the gastrointestinal tracts and have less possibility to pass through the epithelium passively. Therefore, the use of aligner may not pose any cytotoxic health risks.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.