Introduction
In today’s world, people are increasingly conscious of their oral health and the appearance of their smiles. Invisible Teeth aligners have become increasingly popular nowadays to address issues of crooked or crowded teeth. These are transparent, thin plastic trays that help in correcting teeth alignment by gently moving them into their desired positions. By doing this, aligners not only improve the appearance of your smile but also contribute to overall oral health by preventing cavities, gum problems, and other dental issues.1
As their use increases, it’s important to explore how these aligners used for teeth straightening affect the environment and how we can make them more eco-friendly. Understanding these effects can help us balance the benefits of better oral health along with the responsibility of minimising environmental harm.
Impact of aligners on the environment
Aligners are made from plastics like Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), Polyurethane (PU), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). While these materials are designed to be effective and comfortable, they also have environmental impacts.2
These types of plastics are non-biodegradable, meaning they do not break down easily and can remain in the environment for a long time. Burning these plastics can release harmful chemicals.3
However, more sustainable options are coming up. For instance, improving technologies in aligner fabrication and implementation of recycling programs can minimise the environmental impact of aligners.2 Additionally, certain biodegradable plastics and other compostable materials are being considered for manufacturing of aligners.4 Exploring these strategies can help reduce the environment impact due to the use of aligners.
Eco-friendly ways to use Dental aligners
If you’re looking to make your use of dental aligners more eco-friendly, there are several simple steps you can follow:
- Return Aligners for Recycling: Many aligner companies offer recycling programs. After you finish your treatment, you can return your used aligners to the provider. They will then recycle it properly, helping to reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact.2 These recycled aligners on incineration can be used as a fuel or the recycled plastic can be utilised by automotive industries and as land treatment to produce fertilisers.5
- Stay Informed about Innovations: Look out for the latest advancements in aligner technology like shape-memory materials, 3D-printed aligners, and new materials that improve how aligners work. Innovations like 3D printing use materials which are more eco-friendly and generate significantly less waste during aligner fabrication.6
- Support Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Choose an aligner manufacturing company that follows recycling procedures legally as per the waste legislation policy.2 They must be working towards reducing their manufacturing waste and energy use, contributing to a more sustainable production process.
- Use of Biodegradable materials: While recycling aligners is important, there are also new options like biodegradable aligner sheets which can reduce harm to the environment. For manufacturing aligners, fully compostable and biodegradable materials are being explored. They are reported to be more flexible and stronger compared to the traditional plastic ones, but more research is needed in this regard.4
By making these choices, you can help reduce the environmental impact of your orthodontic treatment and support more sustainable practices in the dental industry.
Top 5 aligners to consider in India
To get the best smile, you need to choose the right aligner considering the quality, affordability and advantages it offers. Here are the top five aligners in India to consider:
- Toothsi Clear Aligners: Toothsi is a direct-to-customer brand. It is more affordable, costing 70% less than other standard brands. They are FDA-approved and use German technology for manufacturing their aligners. They even provide home visits for 3D scans and customised treatment plans. Their plans start from just Rs. 50,000 which is why it is cost effective for many. 7
- 3M Clear Aligners: They provide aligners through certified orthodontists and have a tracking app to monitor your treatment progress. Their treatment is costly starting from Rs. 1 Lakh or more.8
- Snazzy Clear Aligners: They provide a straightforward process for smile correction, including an initial scan, a preview of the results, home delivery of aligners, and ongoing progress monitoring.9
- Invisalign: They are a globally recognised brand for clear aligners. They provide comprehensive treatment options offering aligners for kids, teens and adults. However, these are quite expensive ranging from Rs. 1.5 lakh to 4 lakhs.10
- 32 Watts Clear Aligners: They are custom-made aligners offered at competitive prices. They follow ISO standards and use software to track your progress.11
Each brand comes with its unique benefits. Though Invisible teeth aligners cost may vary between brands, you need to evaluate your needs and budget to select the right option for achieving a confident and beautiful smile.
Conclusion
Dental aligners are very useful to maintain our oral health as well as give us a perfect smile. But their environmental effect can be a concern. By choosing eco-friendly aligners, recycling and supporting sustainable practices we can reduce the harm to our environment.
