Your Invisalign Treatment is Working Great, But What Happens if Your Tray Breaks?

You have been using Invisalign as offered by Dr. Brady Camp and the team at Magnolia Park Dental in Coppell, Texas when suddenly you notice that your aligner has broken. You did not even realize this was a possibility! If this happens, the critical thing to remember is that there is no need to panic. You can take steps to ensure your treatment stays on track.

Invisalign is a prevalent orthodontic treatment that utilizes clear aligner trays to correct mild to moderate teeth crowding, crookedness, misalignment, and gaps. While the clear aligner trays in Invisalign are durable and tough, they are not indestructible.

Invisalign Trays Can Break

While Invisalign trays are constructed using durable plastic, they are not impervious to damage. In some instances, Invisalign trays can develop cracks or even break. When this happens, Invisalign advises you to reach out to your dentist as soon as possible following the moment you notice the damage. Your dentist can advise you on what you need to do next.

How Bad is the Damage?

The advice your dentist will give regarding your cracked or broken aligner will depend on the extent and severity of the damage. If the tray has just a minor crack but is not split, your dentist may tell you it is ok to keep wearing it until you are ready to move on to your next tray.

If the tray is split completely or broken to the point where it can no longer hold its shape, you will likely have to stop using that tray. This is because the shape of the aligner is what shifts your teeth. When an aligner tray has lost its stiffness and can no longer hold its form, you will gain no benefit from continuing to wear it.

Even if you believe the damage to the tray is minor, you should reach out to your dentist immediately to discuss your options and next steps. A replacement may be necessary, or, in some cases, your dentist may be able to repair it. It may be recommended that–if a new tray is needed to be ordered–you go back to your previous tray until the new one arrives or the broken one can be repaired. 

Avoid DIY

If your Invisalign aligner breaks, you do not want to find yourself in a position where you are searching online for fix-it-yourself tutorials from non-professionals. While you may read that last sentence and think that you would never do that, the truth is that there are those out there who do exactly that. It is never recommended that you try to repair cracks or breaks in your Invisalign tray. While you may think that you could fix it easily with some form of super glue, this is a bad idea due to the toxic materials from which these glues are made. You do not want these materials in your mouth for the 22 hours a day you should be wearing your aligner. You should leave any repairs to the professionals.

What You Can Do to Keep Your Aligners Safe from Damage?

While we have covered many situations detailing what you can do when your Invisalign aligner breaks, the goal is always to keep your aligners safe from damage. One of the most common reports dentists hear from patients who have broken their aligner is that they did so when taking it out of their mouth. While these aligners are made to be durable, you should be careful when taking them from your mouth. It is best not to pull them off in one motion. Instead, loosen it until you can easily remove it from your teeth.

Another easy-to-follow recommendation is always to have your case on you. This way, when you remove your aligner, you can put it right into the case where it will be safe. You have no idea how many people report removing their aligner and, because they do not have the case, they have to lay it on a table, where they accidentally either knock it off onto the hard floor or accidentally drop something on top of it. Having your case with you ensures you have a safe place to store your aligners when not in your mouth.

To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brady Camp, please call (972) 573-4600 today.