Dentistry plays a critical role in maintaining our oral health, but much of the equipment, materials, and supplies used for dental care in dental offices and at home are made of plastic. Dental practices generate a significant amount of single-use plastic pollution that is discarded after each patient’s treatment. At home, individuals typically use an average of 3-4 disposable plastic toothbrushes and several spools of disposable plastic floss per year.
There are also health concerns. What are the long-term consequences of permanently inserting a dental filling made primarily of plastic resin into your mouth using plastic braces and retainers or plastic toothbrushes and floss? Let’s explore the current state of plastic use in dentistry and consider plastic-free alternatives to maintaining our oral health.
Modern dentistry is flooded with plastics
Plastics have become a staple material used in dentistry and dental care due to their affordability and versatility. However, the widespread use of plastics directly in our mouths raises significant concerns negative effects of plastic on our healthas well as plastic pollution and damage to the environment.
Plastics do not gradually disappear when discarded: they break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, plastic particles that remain in the environment instead of breaking down naturally like organic materials. Plastics can also contain more than 16,000 different chemicals, at least 4,200 of which have already been shown to be harmful to both human health and the environment. The entire endless toxic existence of plastic (from the extraction of fossil fuels through the production, storage, transportation, use and disposal of plastics) contributes significantly to human health problems and environmental degradation, as well as serious social and environmental injustices.
Dental restoratives (bridges, crowns, fillings): Dental composites, which often contain plastic resins, they are used for bridges, crowns and fillings. Another timethese restorations were made with ceramic or porcelain, as well as with gold or other metals. Plastic composites are now preferred for their ability to match the color of natural teeth and bond with tooth structure, but they can release both microplastics and harmful additional chemicals—such as the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA)—that have been linked to cancer, heart disease, infertility and other serious health problems.
Prosthodontics and Orthodontics: Dentures, retainers and other orthodontic appliances (including some types of braces) are made mainly of acrylic and other plastic derivatives. These materials are lightweight and easy to mold, but are non-biodegradable and contribute to landfill when disposed of.
Disposable items: Similar to hospitals, Dental offices often use a significant amount of single-use plasticincluding plastic gloves, patient bibs, equipment barriers, suction tips and protective sheeting. While these items provide infection control, their single-use design creates significant pollution. There are also plastic bundles of items that are often given to clients after their appointments, such as plastic toothbrushes, floss, and tubes of toothpaste—and often placed in a plastic bag.
Plastics in dentistry can increase our exposure to plastic particles and chemicals
The effects of plastic pollution on health and the environment are a growing global crisis, and the dental industry is contributing to the problem. Here are the key implications:
Long-term exposure: The increasing presence of microplastics in the human body is a major concern. Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected throughout the human body, including the blood, gastrointestinal tract, heart, liver, lungs and reproductive organs, with serious health consequences such as increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
Non-biodegradability and pollution: Plastics are notorious for their toxic pollutants and non-biodegradable nature. Plastic dental products that are disposed of in landfills and in the environment break down into plastic particles, leaching plastic chemicals. Meanwhile, incinerated plastics release toxic emissions into the air and environment. An average of 21 single-use plastic items are used during a standard dental treatment.
Toxic chemicals in plastics: Some plastics, such as those used in dental fillings, may contain harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), which it can be washed away over time and are known to harm both human health and pollute the environment. BPA in particular is a known endocrine disruptor, leading many to seek BPA-free alternatives. But sometimes it substitutions for BPA are equally problematic.
Plastic-free alternatives in dentistry and minimization of use
As the negative effects on the environment and human health from the use of plastic in dentistry become clearer, alternatives are needed more than ever. Despite the widespread use of plastics in dentistry, new developments in healthier and more sustainable dental materials have emerged. A growing number of plastic-free or low-quality plastic alternatives are now available.
Bamboo toothbrushes and other alternatives: Bamboo toothbrushes are becoming a popular choice. Unlike plastic brushes, bamboo is biodegradable and can be composted. Many toothpaste companies are also turning to cardboard or aluminum packaging to replace plastic tubes. Chewable toothpaste tablets is another good alternative to toothpaste sold in plastic tubes, and many brands have eliminated microplastics in their toothpaste formulations. Silk thread it is an excellent replacement for plastic thread.
Biocompatible composites: In recent years, manufacturers have developed dental composites with improved biocompatibility. These newer materials often incorporate bioactive ingredients, such as calcium and phosphate, that can help remineralize teeth and reduce the need for additional fillings.
Ceramic (porcelain) fillings: Ceramic or porcelain fillings are used in dental restoration as a more sustainable alternative to plastic-composite resins. Porcelain is an inert, non-toxic material that does not leach chemicals into the body. These fillings also offer greater strength than plastic composites, providing extra support to your teeth and lasting significantly longer.
Metal and Ceramic Crowns: Metal crowns, such as those made of gold or stainless steel, as well as porcelain crowns, offer longer-lasting and durable options that do not rely on plastics. These alternatives are especially useful for patients looking for plastic-free restoration options.
Reducing single-use plastics: Dental clinics can minimize single-use plastic items by choosing reusable alternatives such as cloth patient bibs, metal trays and sterilizable suction tips. Educating patients about reducing plastic in their personal oral hygiene routines may also be helpful.
The Future of Sustainable Dentistry
While the use of plastic cannot be completely eliminated, the dental industry can shift to healthier and more sustainable materials. Educated consumers, especially those who prioritize their health and the environment, are increasingly demanding healthier, plastic-free practices from their dentists. Advances in materials science have created options for dental procedures, with innovations such as biodegradable resins, more efficient 3D printing materials and bioactive glass already on the horizon.
Reducing the use of plastics in dentistry may seem like a daunting task, but with advances in materials science and waste management systems, it is becoming increasingly feasible. By adopting greener practices, choosing environmentally friendly materials and minimizing waste, dental professionals can make a significant positive impact on plastic pollution.
Additional resources
American Dental Association (ADA) – Sustainability in Dentistry
ADA Sustainability Page
Office of Chief Dental Officer England
Sustainability in Dentistry: Driving Change
Alternative solutions without plastics in Dentistry
Ecological Dental Association
Royal College of Surgeons of England
What impact does dentistry have on the environment and how can dentistry lead the way?
