written by Dr Shaik Farhatulla, Reviewed by Dr satish Chandra date: 08.07.2025 "What to Do If Your Aligner Cracks or Breaks" Clear aligners like Invisalign or other custom-made systems are designed to be strong, but they’re still made of thin plastic—and accidents happen. Whether it’s a hairline crack, a complete break, or a misplaced tray, knowing what to do immediately can prevent delays in your treatment. 🧩 1. Don’t Panic – Assess the Damage Aligner damage can range from a minor crack (often along the edge) to a full break (split into two or more pieces). If the crack is small and the aligner still fits snugly, you may be able to continue wearing it temporarily. If it’s broken completely, stop using it immediately to avoid injury or misalignment. 🔍 According to Phan & Ling (2007), the integrity of aligners directly influences force delivery and fit, so continued use of a damaged tray may compromise results. Reference: Phan X, Ling PH. Clinical limitations of Invisalign. J Can Dent Assoc. 2007;73(3):263–266. 🛠️ 2. Do NOT Attempt to Repair It Yourself Some people try to glue or tape broken aligners—don’t. DIY fixes can: Distort the shape Irritate your gums or cheeks Alter force application, disrupting tooth movement Aligners must maintain their original shape to apply the correct biomechanical force. Reference: Kravitz ND, Kusnoto B, et al. How well does Invisalign work? A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009. ⏳ 3. Decide: Go Back, Stay Put, or Move Forward Depending on your progress and your orthodontist’s instructions, you might: ✅ A. Continue Wearing the Cracked Aligner If the crack is minor and the aligner is wearable without discomfort: Use chewies to keep the fit tight Handle it gently when inserting/removing Use it as a temporary solution until a replacement arrives 🔁 B. Go Back to the Previous Set If the damaged tray can’t be worn, switch to your previous aligner to maintain tooth position and prevent relapse. ⏩ C. Advance to the Next Set (With Caution) If you were very close to the switch date (within 1–2 days), your orthodontist might advise progressing early—but only if: The next tray fits well You experience no pain or pressure inconsistencies 📞 4. Contact Your Orthodontist Immediately Always notify your orthodontist or dental clinic as soon as possible. At Mydent, we offer: Same-day appointments for urgent aligner issues Digital consultations to evaluate your next step Fast replacement tray ordering if needed Most aligner systems, like Invisalign, allow quick reordering of a specific tray using digital records. 💡 5. Prevention Tips for the Future Use two hands to remove aligners (don’t pull from one side) Avoid hot water – it can warp plastic Store aligners in their protective case when not in use Keep aligners away from pets – they love to chew on them! Never eat or drink (except water) with aligners in