Was it smart to skip a tray? Will the teeth adjust to the new tray or should I call my dentist and have him order me a new one?

Question

I accidentally stepped on my tray while driving and it bent it to the point it no longer fits in my mouth. Instead of calling my dentist and bothering him with the hassle I called my uncle in FL to overnight my next set. I got it today and just put it in and the tray doesn't fit all of the teeth correctly. I'm kind of worried this will mess up my teeth and the remaining sets. I forgot to mention I was only a week in to the new set when it got bent, so now I'm a week early on the new set.

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

I would recommend calling your dentist to request a replacement of the tray that you stepped on.  It's really not a good idea to skip a whole week of the previous tray because it could cause you to have be in refinements for several months following your scheduled Invisalign treatment.  Invisalign is very precise and accurate when used properly, but can really have horribly slow results when used incorrectly.  Good luck to you and I hope this helps. "Follow" me on Real Self to ask more questions of me.Sarah Thompson, DMD O'Fallon, IL and St. Louis, MO

Anisa Omar, DDS · Answer

In my practice, I tell my patients to skip an aligner if they lose or break current ones, however if the new aligners don't fit properly after couple days in them  I would ask them to contact me to evaluate.  After evaluating, I can decide if I want to order a replacement for the damaged ones or if the next set fits properlyI would contact  your orthodontist to have them look at the fit of the new setGood luck

Gerry Curatola, DDS · Answer

Skipping an aligner tray is generally not a problem if a week or more of use has occurred. Each Invisalign  aligner tray is designed to sequentially move teeth according to a preset Clincheck plan. While most of the teeth movement occurs during the first few days of aligner use, the recommended 14 day (two week) use of each aligner is to allow the important supportive dynamic process of bone resorption and deposition around the teeth to occur. This process, if cut short and movement of the teeth occurs too fast, can damage teeth with root resorption and weaken surrounding bone.With that said, an exception of changing aligner trays after one week of use due to damage/loss should not be a problem if the subsequent tray seats properly and fits correctly. However, if aligner fit is a problem, I recommend wearing your previous aligner and a replacement aligner for the damaged one be ordered prior to wearing the next aligner.

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

Skipping an Invisalign tray can work.  From what you describe, I believe you did the right thing by getting the next tray going ASAP.  However it likely means that you will have to wear the new tray longer (by a couple weeks) in order to compensate for the last one not worn.  The ideal thing is to have your orthodontist/dentist check the tracking before moving on to the next one.  You probably with be OK.

Was it smart to skip a tray? Will the teeth adjust to the new tray or should I call my dentist and have him order me a new one?

Answers (4)

Answer: Skipping an Invisalign tray can work

Answer: Skipping an Invisalign tray can work

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

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Was it smart to skip a tray? Will the teeth adjust to the new tray or should I call my dentist and have him order me a new one?

Answers (4)

Answer: Skipping an Invisalign tray can work

Answer: Skipping an Invisalign tray can work

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.