Microplastic Exposure From Clear Aligner Wear: An In Vivo, Longitudinal Study of Orthodontic Patients
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Summary
An observational longitudinal study measuring microplastic exposure and physiologic uptake in orthodontic patients receiving clear aligner treatment.
Description
This study is investigating whether orthodontic patients already scheduled to receive clear aligner treatment have changes in their microplastic exposure and physiologic uptake pre- and post-treatment. Consented and enrolled participants will provide unstimulated saliva and urine samples at three timepoints before regularly scheduled orthodontic appointments: Pre-treatment (Visit 1), 6-12 weeks post-treatment (Visit 2), and 16-24 weeks post-treatment (Visit 3). The saliva and urine samples will be filtered and then analyzed for microplastic content using mass spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 10–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals (all sexes, genders, races, and ethnicities) aged at least 10 years (in adult dentition) and at most 75 years * Receiving comprehensive, Phase II orthodontic treatment with clear aligner therapy * Stable physical health (ASA I or II), as determined by study coordinator or PI * Able to comprehend and follow requirements of study (including availability on scheduled visit dates) * Patient and parental consent (and assent for minors) for participation in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances * Receiving hybrid tr…
Interventions
- OtherClear Aligner Treatment
This study is observational. Only patients who are previously scheduled to receive clear aligner treatment from their orthodontic provider will be recruited.
Location
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, North Carolina