ReviewMaterials (Basel, Switzerland)2024
Towards Sustainable Orthodontics: Environmental Implications and Strategies for Clear Aligner Therapy.
Review in Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Sustainable clear aligner practice in esthetic and prosthetic dentistry: a scoping review for practical implementation.Frontiers in oral health · 2026Pooled it
- Assessing the environmental impact of clear aligner therapy: a scoping review.Frontiers in dental medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Does Thermoforming Setup Affect Thickness in Thermoplastic Orthodontic Appliances? A Comparison of Single vs. Dual-Model Fabrication.Polymers · 2026Article
- Direct-printed aligners in orthodontics: Integrating digital design, materials science, and clinical biomechanics.Korean journal of orthodontics · 2026Review
- Comparative Assessment of Dimensional Accuracy and Fit of Aligners Manufactured by Direct Printing and Thermoforming: AnTurkish journal of orthodontics · 2026Article
- Sustainable Production of Dental and Orthodontic 3D Models Through Fused Granular Fabrication of Recycled Polymers.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Environmental impact of orthodontic treatment: a simplified fast-track comparative life-cycle impact assessment of self-ligating metal brackets and clear aligners.European journal of orthodontics · 2026Article
- The Environmental Burden and Sustainability Challenges of Clear Aligners: Implications for Public Health, Practice, Policy, and Future Research-A Scoping Review.International journal of dentistry · 2026Review
- Microplastics Release From Clear Aligners: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence, Health Implications, and Policy Directions.International journal of dentistry · 2026Review
- Assessment of the Accuracy of Clear Aligner Therapy for Maxillary Expansion: A Prospective Clinical Study.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry · 2026Article
- Evaluating chemical and surface stability of thermoformed and 3D-printed clear aligners after intraoral exposure.PloS one · 2026Article
- Clear aligner therapy beyond esthetics: oral health, polymer materials, and the environmental cost of digital orthodontics.Frontiers in dental medicine · 2026Review
- Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Dental Professionals Regarding Biomedical Waste Management for a Green Dentistry: A Scoping Review.Dentistry journal · 2025Review
- Article
- Microplastics and nanoplastics in clinical dentistry and orthodontics: leaching, health implications, and future directions: a narrative review.Progress in orthodontics · 2025Review
- Medico-Legal Implications and Risk Management Strategies in Orthodontic Practice: An Analytical Literature Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Sustainable Dental and Periodontal Practice: A Narrative Review on the 4R-Framework-Reduce, Reuse, Rethink, Recycle-And Waste Management Rationalization.Dentistry journal · 2025Review
- Cytotoxicity and Endocrine Disruption in Materials Used for Removable Orthodontic Retainers: A Comprehensive Review.Dentistry journal · 2025Review
- Review
- Microbial Consortium-Mediated Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate in Orthodontic Aligners: A Comprehensive Review.International journal of microbiology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The increasing concern over environmental sustainability has prompted various industries to reassess their practices and explore greener alternatives. Dentistry, as a significant contributor to waste generation, is actively seeking methods to minimize its environmental footprint. This paper examines the environmental implications of clear aligner therapy (CAT) in orthodontics and explores strategies to prioritize sustainability in aligner manufacturing and usage. CAT has gained popularity as a viable alternative to traditional fixed appliances due to advancements in biomaterials and computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) technologies. The global market for clear aligners is expanding rapidly, with significant growth projected in the coming years. To address these challenges, this paper proposes adopting the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink (4Rs) in orthodontic practices. Strategies such as minimizing resource consumption, incorporating recycled materials, and promoting proper aligner disposal and recycling can significantly reduce environmental harm. This paper explores emerging technologies and materials to mitigate the environmental impacts of CAT. Additionally, initiatives promoting aligner recycling and repurposing offer promising avenues for reducing plastic waste and fostering a circular economy. In conclusion, while CAT offers numerous benefits in orthodontic treatment, its environmental impact cannot be overlooked. By implementing sustainable practices and embracing innovative solutions, the orthodontic community can contribute to a more environmentally conscious future while continuing to provide quality care to patients.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.