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OUT OF SIGHT! OUT OF MIND! - THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALIGNER DISPOSAL

USEAGE VS WASTAGE:

An estimated 12+ million people undergo aligner therapy producing around 1,875 tonnes of plastic waste from aligner alone. The common materials are PET, PET-G, Polyurethane and copolyesters resisting degradation for centuries. In addition, the scraped polymer which are trimmed off during the manufacturing process are rarely recycled.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Surprisingly, a large percentage of dentists and orthodontists are unaware of specific regulations for aligner disposal.  Surveys and analyses show that most used aligners are thrown away with household waste or incinerated. In a recent study conducted by Elbe Peter et al in 2025 showed the release of carcinogens like Benzene and tetrahydrofuran in PET-G in incinerated smoke sample and in polyurethane sample respectively.  

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

RECYCLING:

  • In western countries, company like TerraCycle has made the initiative in encouraging the customers to return the used and unused aligners. 
  • They then disinfect the aligners and process them into raw materials for use in other industries. 
  • Orthodontic practices can partner with such services for the proper waste management.

SUSTAINABLE ORTHODONTICS:

Theodre Eliades et al in an article in Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontics in 2025 emphasized the need for the sustainable materials. Promotion and use of 
  • Biodegradable aligners like GT FLEX GREEN - faster breakdown of waste
  • Shape memory polymers - comparatively lesser number of trays are appreciated

RESEARCH:

  • This grossly lacking guidelines of aligner disposal have to be addressed. 
  • Research on long term environmental impact of aligners and to assess their true severity of their ecological footprint is required including potential micro and nano plastic pollution to promote awareness.
  • Studies on more sustainable materials and the efficiency of already existing materials for reliability.

CLINICAL TAKEAWAY:

·  Clinics & Patients: Follow best-practice disposal and support recycling initiatives like TerraCycle.

·  Industry: Invest in biodegradable, recyclable, and smart-material technologies to reduce long-term environmental damage.

REFERENCE:

  • How environmentally friendly is the disposal of clear aligners? A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry study by Peter, Elbe et al - AJODO 2024.
  • Environmental blueprints in orthodontics: The world federation of orthodontists’ white paper on sustainable practices, challenges and research imperatives by Theodre Eliades et al – Journal of the World federation of orthodontists - 2025



Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 20, 2025 at 2:31 AM

    Informative

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 20, 2025 at 5:15 AM

    Another thought provoking study! - consumers and the orthodontist/dentist need to be aware of. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

    ReplyDelete

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