What Happens If You Lose Your Invisalign® Trays?

When Invisalign® clear aligners hit the market in the late 1990s, they revolutionized the field of orthodontics and have since changed the lives and smiles of over 15 million people. Invisalign quickly became the most desirable teeth-straightening method due to its nearly invisible appearance, removability, and impressive success rate.

But Invisalign only works if it’s in your mouth, so if you lose your trays, you lose your treatment.

Dana Samet, DDS, Bethany Jung, DDS, and Alyssa Nowlen, DDS have been straightening teeth with Invisalign for years at Dental Art of South Bay in Torrance, California, and often deal with lost and damaged trays. The upside of removable trays is that you have no food restrictions; the downside is that you can lose them. Here’s what you need to know about lost Invisalign trays.

The impact of losing your Invisalign trays

Misplacing your Invisalign trays may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it significantly impacts your treatment and teeth. Here are the consequences of losing your Invisalign trays:

Setbacks in treatment

Your treatment plan hinges on the regular changing of your aligners. If you lose them and can’t replace them immediately, you could face delays, extending the length of your treatment.

Discomfort or pain

We precisely craft each tray to fit your teeth at a specific stage of your treatment. If you skip a tray because it's lost, the next one might not fit correctly, causing discomfort or even pain.

Increased costs

While some insurance plans may cover part of the cost of lost trays, there could still be out-of-pocket expenses.

Possible damage to teeth

Sometimes, prolonged periods without the correct aligner can cause teeth to shift back toward their original position, potentially damaging your progress.

Tips to prevent losing your Invisalign trays

To prevent these setbacks, here are some tips to keep your aligners safe:

Always store your trays in their case when you're not wearing them. It's easy to misplace or accidentally throw them away if you wrap them in a napkin or leave them on a tray.

Consider having a designated spot in your home for your case. Consistency reduces the chances of misplacement.

If you're traveling, pack a spare set of aligners. This way, if you lose one set, you have a backup.

What to do if you lose your Invisalign trays

The first thing to do after losing your Invisalign trays is call us. Some insurance plans cover the cost of one or two lost or damaged trays, so check with our staff. We order new trays immediately, so you can get back on track with your treatment. 

The next step is to pull out your last trays and pop them in your mouth. It’s better to wear the last set in the series than to allow your teeth to go “trayless” and risk the potential of significant shifting and regression.

We may advise you to advance to the next set of trays, depending on your stage of treatment. Don’t advance to the next set unless we give you the green light, though, as you may damage your teeth if you move them too fast, too soon.

Learn more about Invisalign clear aligners by scheduling an appointment with one of our experts — contact us at 310-272-5490.