Abstract Clear aligners are an increasingly popular orthodontic modality due to their aesthetics and convenience. However, concerns have emerged regarding their environmental impact across production, usage and disposal phases. This systematic review evaluates current literature on the environmental footprint of clear aligners, including plastic waste generation, energy consumption, carbon emissions and potential pollution. Despite limited direct studies, evidence suggests that aligner therapy has a notable ecological burden. Further research is essential to quantify these impacts and develop sustainable practices.
Thundukattil et al. (Thu,) studied this question.