TLDR
Tiny plastic particles from dental products and procedures can get into our bodies and the environment, but we don't yet know how much this affects our health. Using better cleaning, filters, and safer products can help reduce these plastics.
Summary
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1 Study Aim
This review aims to bring together current knowledge about how microplastics (tiny plastic pieces less than 5 mm) and nanoplastics (even smaller, less than 1 micrometer) are released from dental materials and oral-care products. The authors seek to explain where these particles come from, how people are exposed, what effects they might have on health, how they are detected, and what can be done to reduce their release. The review also highlights gaps in knowledge and suggests directions for future research. Simply put: The paper wants to explain where tiny plastics in dentistry come from, how they might affect us, and what we can do about them.
2 Study Design
The authors conducted a narrative review, searching scientific databases and reference lists for English-language studies published between July and November 2025. They included research on micro- and nanoplastic release from dental materials, oral-care products, and dental procedures, as well as studies on exposure, health effects, detection methods, and environmental impact. The review did not use a formal protocol or risk-of-bias scoring but instead graded evidence strength based on study type and relevance. The synthesis focused on summarizing findings rather than excluding studies. Simply put: The authors read and summarized many studies about plastics in dentistry, picking those most relevant to dental care and health.
3 Findings
The review shows that micro- and nanoplastics are released from common dental materials (like resin fillings, dentures, and clear aligners) and everyday oral-care products (such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss). People are mainly exposed by swallowing these particles with saliva or, less often, by breathing in dust during dental procedures. Laboratory studies suggest these plastics can stress or inflame oral cells, but there is little direct evidence linking dental plastics to disease in humans. Dentistry also adds to environmental plastic pollution through wastewater. The authors recommend using high-volume suction, better filters, wet polishing, and choosing lower-shedding products to reduce exposure. They stress the need for more research, especially studies that match real-world exposure levels and track health outcomes over time. Simply put: Dental products and treatments release tiny plastics, which might affect our health and the environment, so using better cleaning and safer products is advised.