It's rare for someone to crack their Invisalign braces, but it's not impossible. This usually happens due to mishandling, as in you had a mishap with the aligner during one of the brief periods when you took it out of your mouth. You might also have cracked it if you tried to eat while it's still in your mouth, against official advice. Still, this also depends on what you were eating. In any event, it's not worth the risk! Regardless of how it happened, a cracked Invisalign aligner is a problem. So how do you solve this problem?

A Constant, Gentle Pressure

Transparent braces work by applying constant, gentle pressure to slowly move your teeth to the desired angle. They only work when they're worn, and they are far less effective when they have been cracked since they might not be able to apply the necessarily consistent pressure across all your teeth. If you were to simply take the aligner out and wait until it's time to change to a new one, then you might be setting yourself back. When you're not wearing your aligner during the treatment process, your teeth might begin to move back into their previous formation.

The Aligner's Cycle

Simply not wearing your Invisalign is not an option, but your best option depends on when the aligner was cracked. Most people upgrade their aligners every two weeks until their treatment is complete. If you cracked your aligner towards the end of the cycle, then it's generally just a case of wearing the new aligner slightly early. However, if you cracked your aligner during the early stages of the cycle, it can be uncomfortable to simply start wearing the next aligner in the series since your teeth have not undergone the necessary shifting that allows you to comfortably wear this new aligner.

Ask for Advice

You should always contact your orthodontist or dentist if your transparent braces crack, and it doesn't matter when the crack occurs during the aligner's cycle. You might be advised to simply go ahead and start using the new aligner but be sure to contact your orthodontist or dentist immediately if you should experience noticeable discomfort. When the crack occurs early in the aligner's cycle, it might be necessary for a new tray to be quickly fabricated to ensure your treatment can continue without much disruption.

Yes, a cracked Invisalign aligner is a problem, but it's one that can be solved easily. Speak with a professional for more information about caring for Invisalign braces.