Every single piece of plastic ever made is still around on our planet, in one way or another. From islands of waste in the Pacific to microplastic contamination in our very bodies, the plastic crisis is a cascading problem that will take effort from every industry to address. That includes health care. Research by the University of Sheffield in England estimates that the health-care industry is responsible for 53 percent of the total volume of plastic waste produced by the U.K. in a year. And as you might expect, the dental industry is a heavy contributor to that figure, with The Journal of Dentistry reporting an average of 21 single-use plastic items used per patient.
And plastic isn’t the only way the dental industry contributes to environmental damage. Though not nearly as common now, metal amalgam fillings are often created using heavy metals, which can leak into the environment if not properly disposed of. Thankfully, dental waste-water can be filtered to capture these harmful particles. “Devices like amalgam separators are crucial in preventing mercury and other heavy metals present in dental amalgam from entering wastewater systems, thus mitigating potential environmental pollution,” explains Rockville, MD cosmetic dentist Joe Kravitz, DDS.
In addition to responsible disposal, dental offices can take steps to reduce their environmental impact, explains Dallas cosmetic dentist Salvator La Mastra, DMD. “We recycle all paper materials and make sure we allot the correct amount of material for each procedure,” he says. “But the most important part of dealing with waste is utilizing more digital dentistry, such as AI scanning and digital X-rays, which reduces so much waste from film X-rays and the materials that are used for old-school goopy impressions.”
Digital Takeover
“In-house and 3-D printing technologies have significantly transformed dental workflows,” says Cranberry Township, PA cosmetic dentist Robert Klaich, DMD. “With the ability to design and fabricate restorations like crowns, bridges, dentures and surgical guides directly in the office, dentists can often complete complex treatments in a single visit. This eliminates the need for temporary restorations and off-site lab coordination, reduces turnaround time, and improves treatment customization.
And some of these upgrades are even more accurate than traditional methods. “Digital scanners are a big deal in dentistry,” says The Woodlands, TX periodontist Hamid Atabakhsh, DDS. “They’re more accurate than conventional impressions, and they reduce waste by eliminating the need to send material back and forth from a lab.”
Cranberry Township, PA cosmetic dentist Brian Klaich, DMD adds, “In our office, we’ve especially appreciated how much cleaner and more efficient the process has become. On top of that, the accuracy of our 3D-printed models is far more consistent, which has led to more predictable fits and better outcomes for our patients.”
The Oral Care Plastic Problem
But the dentist’s office isn’t the only part of the oral health-care industry that has a plastic problem. “Plastic toothbrushes are the industry default now for a few reasons, says Los Altos, CA cosmetic dentist Joseph Field, DDS. “There are regulations involved when we’re talking about products that go into people’s mouths, and that drives costs up. So, to make these products feasible for consumers, cheaper materials like plastic are often the choice compared to aluminum.”
Additionally, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), we throw away nearly 1 billion plastic toothbrushes in the United States per year. “From an environmental standpoint, the best option is to use a quality electric toothbrush with a refillable brush head for when it’s time to swap,” adds Dr. Field.
Cofounder and CEO of SURI Sustainable Toothbrush, Gyve Safavi, explains that this approach to plastic in oral health has led to a culture of convenience where “products are sealed shut, built to be thrown away, and largely ignored in sustainability conversations.” Creating a toothbrush that had sustainability built into the design led SURI toward plant-based biopolymers made from renewable corn starch. “It’s tough enough for daily use, but also has built-in climate benefits: The plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and the material itself reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. Just like conventional plastic, it’s strong, sleek and easy to mold, but it’s far more responsible in its origins and end of life.”
Where the Sustainable Smile Goes Next
Plant-based brush heads are just the beginning, too. “Looking ahead, I anticipate that sustainable dentistry will continue to evolve with advancements in biodegradable materials, further integration of digital technologies, and a growing emphasis on the environmental footprint of dental products and practices,” says Dr. Kravitz.
Certainly, we’re already on our way. “Outside of electric brushes, even products like whitening strips can be refined to produce less waste,” Dr. Field adds. “Products like Pooof! By Dr. Bill Dorfman use gelatin to create dissolvable strips, giving you whitening without the waste.”
And in dentists’ offices, sustainability is becoming a bigger consideration. “Biodegradable dental implants, for example, represent an exciting frontier in dental materials and regenerative care,” Dr. Robert Klaich says. “While they’re not yet widely used for load-bearing applications like traditional implants, they show promise in areas such as bone scaffolding and temporary support during healing.”
Did You Know?
The American Dental Association suggests replacing a plastic toothbrush three or four times a year. If all 8.14 billion people on Earth followed this advice, a whopping 32 billion toothbrushes would be thrown away each year.
Tooth Picks
Our favorite eco-friendly smile swaps to minimize waste and upgrade your routine.
