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Losing or breaking a clear aligner tray is more common than you might think. It typically happens at the worst possible time, such as when you are travelling or between check-ins. Here is what to do if it happens and how to prevent it.
If You Lose an Aligner
The most common scenarios for losing an aligner involve removing it to eat and wrapping it in a napkin, leaving it on a restaurant table, or leaving the case behind somewhere. Once a tray is in a bin or left in a hotel room, it is usually gone.
If you lose an aligner, contact the Jawology clinical team as soon as possible. Depending on where you are in your tray cycle, the options include wearing the previous tray to maintain tooth position while a replacement is organised, moving forward to the next tray if you are close enough to the end of the current cycle and teeth are tracking well, or having a replacement tray made.
Do not simply leave your teeth without any aligner in for an extended period. Teeth can begin shifting back quite quickly, which can create fit issues with your next tray.
If Your Aligner Breaks or Cracks
Aligners can crack or split, particularly along the edges or at thin sections. This can happen from biting down hard, dropping the aligner, or from the natural stress of regular insertion and removal.
A small crack that does not affect the fit or create a sharp edge may not require immediate replacement, but contact the clinical team to assess. A crack that causes a sharp edge that irritates the mouth, or that has split the tray in a way that affects how it sits on the teeth, needs to be addressed promptly.
What to Do Right Away
Contact the Jawology clinical team as soon as you realise a tray is lost or broken. Do not wait until your next scheduled check-in. Describe where you are in your tray cycle and whether you have the previous and next trays available. The team will advise the best immediate course of action for your specific situation.
If you are close to the end of the current tray period, the team may advise moving to the next tray early. If you are early in the cycle and teeth have not had enough time to complete the movement, the previous tray may be the better option as a holding measure.
How to Avoid Losing or Breaking Aligners
Always put aligners directly into their case when you remove them. Never wrap them in a napkin or tissue. Keep the case in the same consistent spot in your bag so it becomes habit. Avoid placing aligners on surfaces where they can be knocked onto the floor.
When removing aligners, use an even, careful technique rather than forcing from one side, which can put stress on the tray material. If the tray is difficult to remove, an aligner removal tool can help reduce the mechanical stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately if I lose my aligner?
Contact the Jawology clinical team as soon as possible. Note where you are in your tray cycle and whether you have your previous or next trays. The team will advise whether to go back to the previous tray, move to the next, or order a replacement.
Can I just move to the next tray if I lose my current one?
Not necessarily, and not without checking with the clinical team first. Whether it is safe to progress depends on how much of the current tray cycle has passed and whether your teeth have completed the intended movement. Moving forward too early can cause tracking issues.
How do I stop leaving my aligners in napkins?
The habit that prevents this most reliably is never placing aligners anywhere except their case. Train yourself to go case first before touching the aligner. Keeping the case visible and accessible on the table rather than in your bag helps.
Will a cracked aligner still work?
It depends on the crack. A small surface crack that does not affect the fit may be tolerable temporarily. A crack that splits the tray, creates a sharp edge, or affects how the tray sits on your teeth needs to be assessed and likely replaced. Contact the clinical team.
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