Aligner Wastage: A Review
Abstract: Clear aligner therapy has become a mainstream orthodontic option because of its aesthetics, comfort, and digital workflow. Alongside these benefits, however, comes a growing environmental concern: aligner wastage. Waste is generated not only from the used aligners themselves, but also from thermoforming offcuts, 3D-printed models, packaging materials, shipping, and refinement stages that require additional trays. This review summarizes the current literature on aligner-related waste, outlines the main sources of material loss across the treatment chain, and discusses emerging strategies to reduce the environmental burden of clear aligner therapy. Current evidence suggests that the scale of plastic waste is substantial, but precise quantification remains limited. Proposed solutions include direct 3D printing of aligners, recycled or bio-based materials, fewer unnecessary refinements, and organized take-back or recycling schemes. More standardized reporting and lifecycle assessment studies are needed to define the true environmental cost of aligner systems and guide sustainable orthodontic practice.
Keywords: clear aligner therapy, orthodontic waste, sustainable dentistry, plastic waste reduction, recyclable aligners
How to Cite?: Dr. Sinchana K, Dr. Praveen Kumar T, Dr. Roopak Naik, Dr. Hanoch M, "Aligner Wastage: A Review", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 672-673, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26702100302, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26702100302