Dental aligners are plastic too!
Given the increased volume of articles reporting the dangers of microplastics, I am sure most of you are trying to avoid plastic as much as possible. As an orthodontist, I feel I should share my concerns regarding plastic appliances in the mouth.
I was one of the first practitioners to be introduced to plastic aligners. I was invited to go to Costa Rica to learn how Invisalign made them. It was obvious to me that plastic aligners could never completely move teeth to the desired position due to their inherent limitations. Regardless, as the number of aligner companies increased, we saw the start of direct-to-consumer advertising. People were excited to buy them. Many aligners are now being produced en masse by large global corporations (with undisclosed types of plastic) and sent from all over the world to be sold online and in dental offices.
Over the years, I have noticed a large increase in the number of aligners recommended for each patient. This leads to increased time the plastic is in the mouth shedding microplastics, along with all the other sources of plastics we are exposed to. Now we are learning the consequences. Microplastics are found in the brain, lungs, blood, liver, placenta, new borns, human breast milk, and maternal and fetal tissues.
My goal is to inform people of the best options to improve their bite and smile. As an orthodontic specialist, I can discuss alternatives to plastic and/or ways to minimize time in aligners.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to speak with you.
Deirdre J Maull, DMD, MS
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Craniofacial Orthopedics
6845 Elm Street, Suite 505
McLean, VA 22101
maullortho.com
*Dr. Maull studied mechanical engineering before receiving a BS in Biology from George Washington University, a DMD from Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Postgraduate Residency in Orthodontics and MS from University of Alabama at Birmingham, Fellowship in Craniofacial Orthodontics at NYU Langone's Tisch Hospital (formerly Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery).
Research:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36603638/
https://www.jwfo.org/article/S2212-4438(24)00085-7/fulltext
https://www.moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/microplastics-found-in-human-brains-study-reveals/