Microplastic Exposure From Clear Aligner Wear (MPE)
Start Date
8/8/2025
Completion Date
7/1/2035
Summary
An observational longitudinal study measuring microplastic exposure and physiologic uptake in orthodontic patients receiving clear aligner treatment.
Detailed 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 and scanning electron microscopy approaches.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 10 years to 75 years
Interventions
Clear Aligner Treatment
Conditions
Locations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
United States