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Chemical leaching and microplastics from clear aligner materials: Current evidence and future perspectives
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This review found that orthodontic clear aligners can release microplastics and chemicals like BPA into the mouth during normal use. While most products meet current safety standards, the combination of mechanical wear, saliva, and temperature changes in the mouth accelerates material breakdown, making dental appliances an underrecognized source of daily microplastic exposure.
Clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic therapy by providing a more aesthetic and comfortable alternative to fixed appliances. However, increasing concerns have emerged regarding their biocompatibility and potential health risks associated with chemical leaching and microplastic release. This review explores the composition, degradation behavior, and biological implications of commonly used thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyurethane, and polycarbonate. Evidence from in vitro and systematic reviews indicates that while most aligners comply with international safety standards, variable levels of bisphenol A (BPA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), and other additives can leach into the oral environment, particularly during initial wear periods. The release of these compounds and microplastic particles poses possible cytotoxic, estrogenic, and systemic risks, including endocrine disruption and microbiome alterations. Despite advancements in manufacturing, data from human studies remain limited, and the long-term biological impact of chronic exposure remains unclear. Future research should prioritize standardized testing protocols, robust clinical trials, and the development of safer, sustainable biomaterials for aligner fabrication.
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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.
Biocompatibility and Safety of Orthodontic Clear Aligners and Thermoplastic Retainers: A Systematic In Vitro Review (2015–2025)
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This systematic review examined whether orthodontic clear aligners and retainers release harmful chemicals or microplastics in the mouth. While most products met safety standards, some materials did release detectable levels of bisphenol A and other chemicals, especially during initial wear and after aging, raising questions about long-term oral exposure.
The Biosafety or Biocompability of Clear Aligner
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This review examined the biosafety of clear aligner orthodontic appliances, finding that prolonged intraoral wear can cause release of chemical leachates (including bisphenol A and residual monomers) and microplastic particulates, with potential biological effects that remain inconsistently characterized in the literature.
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.
Intraoral ageing of aligners and attachments: Adverse effects on clinical efficiency and release of biologically-active compounds
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This review examines how clear dental aligners and their attachments break down inside the mouth during use, releasing microplastics and chemical compounds from wear and friction. The aging process also reduces the aligners' ability to move teeth as planned. The findings raise questions about the safety of chronic microplastic exposure in the oral cavity from orthodontic appliances.
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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.