Environmental impacts from intraoral polymer devices: A systematic review

Highlights

• Polymer nano- and microsize particles in operatory air and wastewater rise during intraoral polymer devices fabrication and processing, though estimates vary widely.
• Intraoral polymer devices release monomeric eluates or degradation compounds and polymer nano- and microsize particles into the air, wastewater, and body fluids.
• New analytical methods detect low levels of monomeric eluates and degradation compounds in saliva following the placement of intraoral polymer devices.
• Polymer nano- and microsize particles from intraoral polymer devices interact with biofilms and contaminants, with their effects on humans and the environment remaining unknown.
• Standard research protocols are needed to quantify environmental impacts of monomeric eluates and polymer nano- and microsize particles from intraoral polymer devices.