Blog By Dr. Ron Mehran Hassanzadeh, Board Certified Orthodontist
Losing an Invisalign® aligner can feel stressful, but in many cases, it is not an emergency. The most important thing is knowing what to do next, so your orthodontic treatment stays on track.
First, Don’t Panic
If you lose your current Invisalign® tray, the first thing you can usually try is moving into your next aligner.
If you have been wearing your aligners properly — about 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing — your next tray will often fit well enough to continue treatment.
It may feel a little tight at first. That is normal. With consistent wear, the aligner should begin to settle and adapt as your teeth continue moving.
Wear the Next Aligner Longer
Here is the key: if you skip ahead to the next aligner, you should usually wear that aligner for extra time before moving forward again.
For example, if you normally wear each tray for one week, and you lose your current aligner, you may need to wear the next aligner for two weeks before progressing to the following tray.
This gives your teeth enough time to fully adapt and helps reduce the chance of tracking problems.
Do Not Force an Aligner That Doesn’t Fit
If the next aligner does not fit, feels extremely painful, will not seat properly, or keeps popping off, do not force it.
In that case, contact your orthodontist. You may need to go back to your previous aligner, order a replacement, or come in for an evaluation. Forcing an aligner that does not fit can cause discomfort, poor tracking, unwanted tooth movement, or delays in treatment.
Keep Your Previous Invisalign® Aligners
One helpful tip: always save your previous few aligners. If you lose a current tray and the next aligner does not fit, your orthodontist may ask you to wear the previous aligner temporarily to hold your teeth in position.
This is especially important during Invisalign® treatment because teeth can shift quickly when aligners are not worn consistently.
The Bottom Line
If you lose an Invisalign® aligner, the next tray may work — especially if you have been wearing your aligners as directed. Wear it consistently, give it extra time, and make sure it fits properly.
But if something feels off, contact your orthodontic office before forcing it.
At iSmile Orthodontics, we help make orthodontic treatment simple, convenient, and built to last.
Need help with your Invisalign® treatment? Contact iSmile Orthodontics or follow us on Instagram at @iSmileBayArea for more orthodontic tips.
