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Dentistry plays a crucial role in maintaining our oral health, but much of the equipment, materials, and supplies used to care for teeth in dental practices and at home are made from plastic. Dental practices generate a substantial amount of single-use plastic pollution that is discarded after each patient’s treatment. At home, individuals typically use an average of 3-4 single-use plastic toothbrushes and numerous spools of single-use plastic floss per year.

There are also health concerns. What are the long-term implications of having a dental filling made primarily of plastic resin inserted permanently in your mouth, using plastic corrective devices and retainers, or plastic toothbrushes and floss? Let’s explore the current state of plastic use in dentistry and examine plastic-free alternatives for maintaining our oral health.

Modern Dentistry Is Overrun with Plastics

Image by Meredith Andrews. Instagram: @meredithphoto, @plasticmermade

Plastics have become a key material used in dentistry and dental care due to their affordability and versatility. However, plastics’ widespread use directly in our mouths raises significant concerns about plastic’s negative impacts on our health, as well as plastic pollution and harm to the environment.

Plastics don’t just gradually disappear when discarded: they break up into microplastics and nanoplastics, plastic particles that persist in the environment rather than degrading naturally like organic materials. Plastics can also contain more than 16,000 different chemicals, with at least 4,200 of them already proven to be harmful to both human health and the environment. The entire endless toxic existence of plastic (from fossil fuel extraction through plastic production, storage, transportation, use, and disposal) 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, are used for bridges, crowns, and fillings. In the past, these restoratives were made with ceramic or porcelain, as well as gold or other metals. Plastic composites are now preferred for their ability to match the color of natural teeth and to bond with the tooth structure, yet they can release both microplastics and harmful additive chemicals—such as the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA)—that have been linked to cancer, heart disease, infertility, and other serious health problems.

Prosthetics and Orthodontics: Dentures, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances (including some types of braces) are primarily made of acrylics and other plastic derivatives. These materials are lightweight and easy to mold, but are non-biodegradable and contribute to landfill waste when discarded.

Single-Use Items: Similar to hospitals, dental practices often use a significant amount of single-use plastic, including 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 often given to clients after their appointments, including plastic toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste tubes—and these are often put in a plastic bag.

Plastics in Dentistry Can Increase Our Exposure to Plastic Particles and Chemicals

The health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution are a growing global crisis, and the dental industry is a contributor to the problem. Here are the key impacts:

Long-term Exposure: The increasing presence of microplastics in the human body is a significant concern. Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected throughout the human body, including in the blood, gastrointestinal tract, heart, liver, lungs, and reproductive organs, with serious health consequences, such as an 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 discarded into landfills and the environment break down into plastic particles, leaching plastic chemicals. Meanwhile, incinerated plastics release toxic emissions into the air and the environment. An average of 21 single-use plastic items are used during a typical dental treatment.

Toxic Chemicals in Plastics: Certain plastics, such as those used in dental fillings, may contain harmful chemicals like Bisphenol-A (BPA), which can leach out 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 the replacements for BPA are just as problematic.

Plastic-Free Alternatives in Dentistry and Minimizing Use

As the negative environmental and human health impacts of using plastic in dentistry become clearer, alternatives are needed more than ever. Despite the widespread use of plastics in dentistry, new advancements in healthier and more sustainable dental materials have emerged. A growing number of plastic-free or low-plastic alternatives are now available.

Bamboo Toothbrushes & Other Alternatives: Bamboo toothbrushes are becoming a popular choice. Unlike plastic brushes, bamboo is biodegradable and can be composted. Many toothpaste companies are also shifting toward cardboard or aluminum packaging to replace plastic tubes. Chewable toothpaste tablets are another good alternative to toothpaste sold in plastic tubes, and many brands have eliminated microplastics in their toothpaste formulations. Silk floss is a great replacement for plastic floss.

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 aid in remineralizing 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, nontoxic material that doesn’t leach chemicals into the body. These fillings also offer greater strength than plastic composites, providing additional support to your teeth and lasting significantly longer.

Metal and Ceramic Crowns: Metal crowns, such as those made from gold or stainless steel, as well as porcelain crowns, offer longer-lasting and durable options that do not rely on plastics. These alternatives are particularly useful for patients looking for plastic-free restorative options.

Reducing Single-Use Plastics: Dental clinics can minimize single-use plastic items by opting for reusable alternatives, such as cloth patient bibs, metal trays, and sterilizable suction tips. Educating patients about reducing plastic in their personal oral hygiene routines can also be helpful.

The Future of Sustainable Dentistry

While the use of plastic cannot be eliminated totally, the dental industry can shift toward healthier and more sustainable materials. Educated consumers, particularly those who prioritize their health and the environment, are increasingly demanding healthier, plastic-free practices from their dental providers. Advances in material 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 plastic use in dentistry may seem like a daunting task, but with advancements in materials science and waste-management systems, it is becoming increasingly achievable. By adopting greener practices, choosing eco-friendly materials, and minimizing waste, dental professionals can have a significant positive impact when it comes to plastic pollution.