ReviewBiomaterial investigations in dentistry2026
Health and environmental hazards of shape memory polymer used in orthodontic aligners - a scoping review.
Review in Biomaterial investigations in dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Upcycling Tunisian dental plaster waste into β-tricalcium phosphate: process optimizationRSC advances · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are gaining traction in orthodontics, particularly in clear aligners, due to their stimulus-responsive behavior and potential to improve treatment outcomes. However, their use in biomedical devices raises questions about biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. Objectives: This scoping review aims to map current evidence on the health and environmental risks of SMPs used in orthodontic aligners, identify knowledge gaps, and guide future research. Search methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and Cochrane databases was conducted, focusing on studies from the past decade. Search terms included SMPs, orthodontic aligners, toxicity, biodegradability, and environmental impact. Selection criteria: Eligible studies involved original in vitro, in vivo, clinical, or environmental research related to SMPs in orthodontic applications. Data collection and analysis: Key information from each study was extracted using a standardized Excel spreadsheet by one reviewer (SA) and validated by another (MKN). Extracted data included study design, polymer type, health and environmental risks, and conclusions. Due to heterogeneity, results were synthesized narratively. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence on SMP biocompatibility is emerging but limited. Certain SMP formulations released residual monomers and degradation products with potential cytotoxic or systemic effects. Environmental concerns included low degradability, accumulation of polymer waste, and lack of recycling strategies. Notably, there was a lack of long-term clinical data and environmental life-cycle analyses. Conclusions: While SMPs offer promise in orthodontics, their safety and environmental impacts are insufficiently studied. Future research should focus on standardized toxicological testing, long-term evaluations, and sustainable material development. Registration and Conflicts: This scoping review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022308725). The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.