Plastics and Orthodontics: The New Challenge for Sustainability
by Anmol S Kalha OSRE
Col (Retd) AD Corps, BSc. BDS. MDS
Professor Emeritus, Chairman IQAC, Advisor for Research and Policy, CIDS
Director and Advisor (Dentistry), Max Health Care, New Delhi
Co-Founder and Chief Architect Medeva Knowledge Systems
Chairman Scientific, India International Orthodontic Symposium 2023
Abstract
Clear aligners are the current trend in orthodontics completely anchored on the prospects of invisibility, cosmetic and esthetics and are aggressively being promoted around the world by both the industry as well as the specialty. Plastics find their way into the human body as microplastics (less than 5mm) and nanoparticles, less than 1 m micron in diameter. The surge in use of plastics in orthodontics comes from the prolonged wearing of clear aligners, the possibility of leaching and swallowing of microplastics from secondary degradation of the material and as much as the use of composites as attachments and their removal. Studies report local irritation to the GI tract with microplastics and its interaction with colonic microbiota leading to local effects such as intestinal dysbiosis. If the size is between 5 and 20 μm, they can find passage through trans or para cellular route to enter the blood stream.
This presentation will explore all aspects of this plastic challenge in orthodontics and its impact on sustainable orthodontics practice.