Lost or broken aligner? What to do next

Losing or breaking an aligner is common, and in most cases it is easy to sort out. If you are searching for "lost aligner what to do", the short answer is: do not panic, do not go without an aligner for long, and contact your dentist. This guide walks you through the next steps for a lost, cracked or warped aligner.

Lost aligner: what to do first

Search the usual places. Napkins and tissues at the last meal, your bag, the car, bedside table, and anywhere pets can reach.
Contact your dentist or clinic. Tell them which aligner number you are on and when it was lost. They will advise on the next step.
Do not leave your teeth without an aligner for long. Teeth can start to drift within a short time. Your dentist may ask you to wear your previous aligner, or move to the next one early, while a replacement is arranged.
Follow your dentist's instructions exactly. Which aligner to wear depends on where you are in your plan and how well the current one was fitting.

This is why it helps to keep your previous aligner, cleaned and stored, until your dentist tells you otherwise.

Previous aligner or next aligner?

There is no single rule. If you were near the end of the current stage and teeth were fitting well, your dentist may ask you to move to the next aligner. If you had only just started the current stage, they may ask you to go back to the previous one. Do not decide on your own: moving ahead too early can mean the next aligner does not seat properly.

Cracked or broken aligner

Small crack, no sharp edge, still fits: contact your dentist. You may be able to keep wearing it for a short time while they advise.
Sharp edge or a piece missing: stop wearing it if it cuts your mouth, and contact your dentist about wearing the previous or next aligner.
Do not glue or repair it yourself. Glue is not safe in the mouth and changes the fit.

Warped aligner

Heat warps aligners. Common causes are hot drinks with the aligner in, washing in hot water, or leaving the case in a hot car or in the sun, which is easy to do in a Lahore or Karachi summer. A warped aligner may not seat fully, so it will not move teeth as planned. Treat it like a lost aligner and contact your dentist.

What if an aligner feels loose or does not seat?

Sometimes the aligner is fine but does not fit properly, for example after a few days of missed wear or if an attachment has come off. Signs include a visible gap between the aligner and the biting edges of the teeth. Contact your dentist. If your clinic uses the Alignova patient app, your progress photos also help your dentist see fitting problems between visits. See aligner monitoring.

Getting a replacement

For Alignova cases, replacement aligners are arranged through your dentist, who orders them from the Alignova lab. Alignova supplies dentists and does not sell aligners to patients directly, so always go through your clinic. Your dentist may also decide that a new scan is needed if your teeth have moved since the plan was made. Ask your clinic how replacements are handled and whether there is a charge, ideally at the start of treatment.

What not to do

Do not stop wearing aligners and wait for your next routine appointment.
Do not skip ahead several aligners to catch up.
Do not wear someone else's aligner or an old aligner from a much earlier stage.
Do not try to reshape a warped aligner with heat.

How to avoid losing aligners

Always use the case. Never wrap aligners in a napkin at a meal or a wedding.
Keep the case visible. A brightly coloured case is harder to leave behind.
Same place at home. One spot for the case, away from pets and young children.
Keep the previous aligner as a backup.
Keep them cool. Not in the car, not in direct sun.

Our guides to caring for clear aligners and eating and drinking with aligners have more practical habits.

Travelling with aligners

Travel is when aligners most often go missing. If you are going home for a wedding or flying abroad, pack your current aligner case, your previous aligner as a backup, and the next aligner if your dentist says you may need it while away. Keep them in your hand luggage, not in a suitcase that could be delayed. Make sure you have your clinic's phone number saved so you can call for advice from wherever you are.

Losing a retainer after treatment

The same principle applies to retainers: contact your dentist promptly, because teeth can move without them. Read retainers after aligners.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just move to my next aligner if I lose one?

Sometimes, but only if your dentist says so. It depends on how far through the current stage you were and how well it was fitting.

How quickly do teeth move without an aligner?

Teeth can start to drift fairly quickly, which is why you should contact your dentist promptly and wear the aligner they recommend in the meantime.

Can I order a replacement aligner myself?

For Alignova cases, no. Replacements are ordered by your dentist from the lab, as your dentist supervises your treatment.

My dog chewed my aligner. Can I still wear it?

Probably not, as chewing deforms the plastic and can leave sharp edges. Contact your dentist.

Clear aligners are a prescription treatment. Whether they suit you is decided by a licensed dentist or orthodontist after an examination.

Take the free smile check and a partner dentist will contact you about an assessment.