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Can Clear Aligners Release Microplastics That Impact the Patient's Overall Health? A Systematic Review
Adriana Assunta De Stefano1, Martina Horodynski1, Gabriella Galluccio1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta, 600161 Rome, Italy.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Orthodontic clear aligners release microplastics (MPs) into saliva, with sizes ranging from 5 to 20 μm. This dispersion may pose risks to patient health, necessitating further research into aligner materials and potential alternatives.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Environmental Health
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Orthodontic clear aligners are increasingly used for dental correction.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential release of microplastics (MPs) from these devices.
- Understanding the health implications of MP exposure from aligners is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the current literature on microplastic release from orthodontic clear aligners.
- To identify potential human health implications associated with these microplastics.
- To provide a foundation for developing alternative, safer materials.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
- Grey literature was also manually searched.
- Eleven peer-reviewed studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review.
Main Results:
- Clear aligner use leads to increased surface roughness and morphological changes over time.
- Microplastic particles, ranging from 5 to 20 μm, are dispersed into saliva during aligner therapy.
- Limited studies have assessed the chemical characteristics and sizes of released microplastics.
Conclusions:
- Clear aligners can contribute to microplastic dispersion in saliva.
- The absorption or ingestion of these microplastics may present a risk to patient health.
- Further research is essential to quantify microplastic release and explore alternative materials.
