Unseen Dangers: Microplastics and Their Impact on Dentistry

Dental care today is deeply intertwined with plastic materials—from composite fillings and disposable suction tips to impression plastics and sterilization bags. While plastic has enabled many advances, there's increasing concern about microplastics (particles < 5 mm) shed during routine dental procedures. Dental Tribune USA

Dental practices discharge plastic particles into wastewater, which eventually reaches rivers, oceans, and ecosystems. Some studies suggest that these microparticles may even enter human organs and the bloodstream, posing potential health risks both for patients and for dental staff exposed over time. Dental Tribune USA

A study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety in 2024 analysed common dental materials and found resin-based composites and impression materials do indeed release measurable microparticle amounts under mechanical stress. This means that even well-established restorative techniques might contribute to environmental pollution. Dental Tribune USA

In addition to environmental pollution, lab experiments have shown that microplastics may trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage—though how this translates into clinical risk is not yet fully understood. Dental Tribune USA

To address this invisible threat, the article suggests that dental practices adopt strategies such as better waste segregation, exploring reusable or plastic-free alternatives where safe, and innovating in biomaterials that shed fewer microplastics. Dental regulation and materials science need to catch up to ensure that ecological and human health aren’t compromised. Dental Tribune USA

🔗 Original article: Dental Tribune – Microplastics in Dentistry: An Invisible Threat to Patients and Practitioners (3 September 2025)