What To Do if You Lose or Break an Invisalign Retainer

Many people have chosen to use Invisalign® retainers to correct dental issues and improve smiles. One of the perks of this type of treatment is the structure of the aligners. Invisalign® retainers are removable and thin. Because of this, the trays can sometimes fall out and get lost, cracked or broken. Here are some options for action if a retainer has become misplaced or compromised.

Assess the damage                                                                                                 

Each case is different. Sometimes, cracked aligners are still wearable. Examine the damage carefully to make a wise decision on how to proceed.

Crack

Unless the crack has split the tray, it is most likely fine to continue wearing it. In many cases, an aligner will still hold together fairly well even with a minor crack. Be sure to use caution when inserting and removing the retainer since these actions can cause a crack or tear to worsen.

Split

When the aligner is split in such a way that even slight bending causes it to alter its shape, the tray should not be worn. Wearing it will no longer provide any benefits. Also, immediately discontinue use of an aligner completely split into more than one piece. A retainer in this condition may have rough edges that can scratch the mouth or gums. Under no circumstances should any form of glue be used to attempt to repair the tray since glue often contains toxic chemicals unfit for the mouth.

Assess the timeframe

There are different courses of action to take depending on how much time is left on the damaged or lost aligner.

Switch retainers

If the retainer had less than three days left, the typical recommendation is to begin using the next scheduled one. Because this subsequent aligner will have a different structure to continue moving the teeth, it may feel a bit awkward at first. Be careful not to force the next tray on, however, as this can cause it to break as well. It is unwise to begin the next aligner more than three days early since attempting to move the teeth too quickly can cause root loss and other complications.

Replace the retainers

When the missing or damaged retainers were supposed to be worn for more than one additional week, it may be prudent to order replacements. Dentists generally know the patient's present stage of treatment and can reorder the current aligner. Because it can take up to two weeks to get a replacement tray, it typically makes sense to use the previous aligner until the new one arrives. This prevents the teeth from shifting too much and reversing progress.

Conclusion

Invisalign® retainers can become broken or lost and may need replacement. Because the effectiveness of the treatment relies on the functionality of the aligners, it is important to know what to do when they are misplaced or damaged. Correctly assessing the problem and the timeframe can be critical to making the right decision on when to continue wearing the trays, when to switch to the next pair and when to reorder them.

Are you considering Invisalign® in the Huntsville area? Get more information at https://www.yourhuntsvilledentist.com.

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