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A scoping review of sustainable orthodontic supply chains: innovations and waste management in clear aligner therapy.
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A scoping review found that clear aligner orthodontic therapy generates over 1,000 tons of plastic waste annually and produces microplastic contamination, raising significant sustainability concerns. Despite digital advances, the orthodontic supply chain has been slow to adopt effective waste reduction strategies.
BACKGROUND: Clear aligner therapy has become a popular orthodontic treatment, with over 14 million users globally. However, its environmental impact is significant, generating over 1000 tons of plastic waste annually, alongside microplastic contamination and high carbon emissions. Despite digital advancements, recycling rates remain low, ranging from only 12% in Asian clinics to 29% in the EU, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices in orthodontics. AIMS: This scoping review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the environmental impact of clear aligner therapy and evaluate sustainable strategies and implementation challenges, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). METHODS: This review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework (Registration ID: pnjd4). Twenty-seven studies from eight countries (2017-25) were analyzed, focusing on sustainability strategies, waste management, and innovations. Data were synthesized thematically using the 4R framework (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink) and aligned with relevant sustainable development goals. RESULTS: Key findings revealed that (i) staged aligner production and digital workflows reduce waste by 30%-41% and lower carbon emissions by 58%; (ii) bioplastics (e.g. silk fibroin) and 4D-printed shape-memory aligners show promise but face cost and material scalability challenges, and (iii) stakeholder collaboration across manufacturing, clinics, and policy is essential. Barriers include inadequate infrastructure and a lack of lifecycle data. CONCLUSION: This review fills a critical gap by linking clinical orthodontic innovations to broader environmental and public health goals. Future research must prioritize lifecycle analyses, enzymatic recycling, and AI-driven planning to bridge evidence gaps. By integrating these strategies, orthodontics can balance ecological responsibility with clinical efficacy.
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This review examines the environmental footprint of clear dental aligners, which are made from plastic polymers and generate significant waste since patients use multiple sets over treatment. The manufacturing and disposal of aligners contributes to microplastic pollution, and the paper suggests the dental industry should adopt more sustainable materials and recycling programs to reduce this impact.
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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.
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Clear aligners (the clear plastic teeth-straighteners many adults and teens use instead of metal braces) may come with hidden downsides: this review of existing research found that they can shed tiny plastic particles and chemicals into your mouth, plus generate a lot of plastic waste since they're replaced every one to two weeks. While researchers don't yet know exactly how much this affects your health, the paper calls for safer materials, better testing, and clearer rules so this popular orthodontic option doesn't come at the cost of your health or the environment.
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.
Getting your teeth fixed can be an environmental hazard
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This commentary discusses the environmental hazard of discarded dental aligners, which end up in landfills and take decades to decompose, releasing microplastics in the process. The author calls for aligner manufacturers and dental practitioners to adopt take-back and recycling programs to reduce the contribution of orthodontic plastic waste to the global microplastic burden.
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