If you’re one of the millions of people who have chosen Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you know that a big part of the appeal is the fact that they are nearly invisible. But, what if the Invisalign tray is cracked or broken?
Unfortunately, even with careful use they can sometimes break or crack. While Invisalign is a very strong and durable product, accidents do happen.
In this article, I will help you understand the most common causes of cracked or broken Invisalign aligners and what you can do to fix them.
Is it common for the Invisalign tray to crack or break?
Like any other type of dental appliance, Invisalign aligners are not indestructible. Even though they are built to resist a lot of wear and tear, they can still be broken or cracked occasionally despite their sturdiness.
Why do your Invisalign aligners break?
Invisalign aligners are made of a strong, clear plastic that is designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, they are not indestructible, and it is possible for them to break.
There are a few different reasons why this might happen.
There are a few reasons why your Invisalign aligners might break. Here are the common causes:
1. Poor Invisalign tray removal technique
One of the most common causes is your Invisalign removal technique is poor or you don’t know how to do that properly.
Invisalign trays are commonly cracked or broken when you try to remove the tray by pulling it out from one side only.
Moreover, if you try to remove your aligners without using the Invisalign tool, you can unintentionally damage them.
It can cause Invisalign to bend or crack when you try to remove them without using the tool.
The Invisalign tool is designed to help you remove your trays without damaging them, so be sure to use it every time you need to take out your aligners.
2. Not handling the aligners properly
While the aligners are made of strong material, they can still be damaged if they’re not handled with care.
3. Biting down on hard objects
Another common cause of cracked or broken Invisalign aligners is accidentally biting down on hard objects.
This can happen if you eat something hard (like ice, or candy) or if you accidentally bite your aligner when putting it in or taking it out.
Some people like to chew the trays or have bad habits such as biting on nails, pens, or pencils. This can easily damage your aligners.
If you bite hard objects, you could be putting too much pressure on your aligners and causing them to break.
4. Not using an Invisalign case
Whenever you take your aligners out, you should store them in their case. This will help protect them from being damaged or lost.
5. Tooth grinding
Teeth grinding can put too much pressure on your aligners and cause them to break. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, see your dentist or orthodontist.
7. Dropping the Invisalign trays
If you drop your aligners, they can crack or break. Try to be careful with them to avoid this.
8. Sitting on the aligners
Sometimes, you might be careless and sit on the aligners. This can easily crack or break them.
6. Eating with them in
You should never eat with your aligners in. They are not designed to withstand the force of chewing and can break if you try to eat with them.
It puts a lot of stress on your teeth as well as the aligners when you use your aligners for activities such as chewing hard candy or ice.
7. Not taking them out when brushing your teeth
You should always take your aligners out when you brush your teeth. Otherwise, you could damage them with the toothbrush bristles.
8. Using extremely hot water to clean them
Too hot water can damage the material of your aligners and make them more likely to break. Stick to using lukewarm or cold water when cleaning them.
9. Trying to fix them at home
If your aligners are broken or cracked, it’s best to see your dentist or orthodontist to have them fixed. Trying to fix them yourself can make the problem worse if you don’t know how to do it properly.
10. Not cleaning them properly
If you don’t clean your aligners regularly, they can start to build up a film of bacteria and plaque. This can make them break more easily.
To clean your aligners, you should brush them with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. You can also soak them in a denture-cleaning solution.
11. Not wearing them enough
If you don’t wear your aligners properly, they can become misshapen and break more easily.
12. Not brushing your teeth before putting them in
If you don’t brush your teeth before putting your aligners in, they can build up plaque and bacteria which can make them crack more easily.
12. Using superglue
Superglue is not designed for use on Invisalign aligners and can actually damage them.
If your aligners are broken, see your dentist or orthodontist and have them repaired.
Moreover, superglue is toxic to use inside the mouth.
13. Using aligners for other purposes
Aligners are not designed to be used for other purposes, but some people might decide to do that.
Using them for other purposes such as to open bottles or cans can also damage them.
14. Leaving in direct sunlight
Sometimes, cracks can also occur if they are left in direct sunlight for too long.
15. Excessively crooked teeth
When you have one or two teeth out of the arch (such as overlapping, or protruding), Invisalign aligners might be cracked or broken in that area. This is because of the excessive force that is needed to push and pull the aligners over these teeth.
What happens if Invisalign cracks/breaks?
If a crack or break occurs, there is a risk that your teeth may become misaligned. In addition, bacteria can enter the crack or break and cause an infection.
Cracked or broken Invisalign trays can also cut your cheek, tongue, lips, or gums.
As a result, it’s important to have any damage to your aligners assessed by a dentist so that you can ensure your smile remains healthy and beautiful.
What to do if Invisalign tray breaks?
If your Invisalign aligner breaks, it’s important to act quickly. While a broken aligner doesn’t necessarily mean that your treatment will be delayed, it can cause discomfort and may make it difficult to keep your teeth clean.
However, too much damage can also mess up the planned treatment.
So, if you notice that your aligner is cracked or chipped, call your orthodontist right away.
They will likely recommend that you come in for an appointment so that they can assess the damage and determine whether you need a new set of aligners or if repairs can be made.
In the meantime, avoid chewing on hard foods or objects, and be sure to brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup.
With proper care, you can rest assured that your Invisalign treatment will stay on track.
How to fix a cracked Invisalign tray at home?
If you have cracked an Invisalign, don’t worry – it can be fixed at home with a few simple supplies. However, before fixing it on your own, you must take permission from your orthodontist. In most cases, you need to set an appointment with him to fix the issue.
Now, take a look at how to fix a cracked Invisalign at home.
- First, gather together a toothbrush, some denture adhesive, and a small piece of orthodontic wax. If your Invisalign is cracked in multiple places, you may also need a sharp knife. Now carefully clean the Invisalign with the toothbrush, being careful not to damage the plastic further.
- Next, apply a small amount of denture adhesive to the crack, then press the two halves of the Invisalign back together.
- Finally, use the orthodontic wax to secure the Invisalign in place and prevent further damage. With a little effort, you can have your Invisalign looking good as new in no time!
Keep in mind that, you should never use superglue or other types of adhesive because it’s toxic for you and also damage the aligners.
How can you prevent Invisalign aligners from cracking or breaking?
There are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent your trays from breaking. Here are those.
1. Insert and remove the Invisalign trays properly
Learn how to put and remove the Invisalign aligners properly. When you take the Invisalign tray out, pull it out from both sides. Moreover, be gentle when you insert and remove the trays into your mouth.
2. Use Invisalign removal tools
You should use an Invisalign removal tool to take out the trays correctly.
3. Be sure to handle them with care.
Just like your other valuable belongings, Invisalign should also be handled with care. So, avoid dropping them or subjecting them to extreme temperatures. Also, avoid knocking them against hard surfaces to keep them from breaking or cracking.
4. Store the trays in a case
Store them in the provided case when you are not wearing them. Don’t leave it unattended as you might sit on them.
5. Don’t eat with Invisalign on teeth
Eating with Invisalign trays on teeth can damage your Invisalign, so avoid them.
6. Don’t bite them
Biting down on hard objects can cause your Invisalign aligner to crack or break. Avoid biting your aligner when putting it in or taking it out. Don’t bite on nails, pens, or pencils.
5. Remove them when you brush your teeth
You must take your aligners out when you brush your teeth to prevent cracks or breaks.
6. Wear Invisalign regularly
Wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day to prevent them from deforming.
7. Clean the aligners clean
Keep them clean by brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and cleaning them with mild soap and warm water. Don’t use too hot water.
9. Don’t fix it yourself
Don’t try to fix the crack on your own without your orthodontist’s advice. Stay away from fixing it using superglue or another improper adhesive.
By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your Invisalign trays stay in good condition for years to come.
Can you still wear a cracked Invisalign?
If you have a cracked Invisalign, you may be wondering if you can still wear it. The answer is yes – in most cases, you can still wear a cracked Invisalign. However, it depends on the severity of the damage. So, it’s better to consult with your orthodontist.
If the crack is minor, your orthodontist may recommend that you continue wearing the aligner. However, if the damage is more severe such as split or broken, they will recommend that you get a new set of aligners. Meanwhile, you can switch back to a previous aligner and wear it instead of the craked aligner until you get the new trays.
Whether you get new aligners also depends on the timing of the event. Usually, you have to wear a set of aligners for 2 weeks.
If it is cracked or broken soon after getting the new set of trays, you will need to replace the current trays.
However, if it happens, after 8-11 days of wearing them, your orthodontist might give you the next set of aligners.
They consider the timing because moving on too soon will put excessive pressure on teeth and damage them permanently.
Takeaways
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces, but they are not indestructible. It is possible for Invisalign trays to break or crack.
A most common cause of a cracked or broken Invisalign is its wrong removal technique. However, it can also occur due to mishandling or dropping it, chewing on them, not taking care of it, or an accident.
If your Invisalign aligners crack or break, it’s important to seek your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to have your aligners replaced or repaired.
Pallab Kishore is a certified dentist and the owner of Orthodontic Braces Care.
He completed BDS in 2014. Now, he is an MS resident in Orthodontics, BSMMU. He likes content writing and has 12+ years of experience in blogging.
