This article outlines the professional steps to follow if you lose your Invisalign tray and how to prevent this from impacting your treatment timeline.

The most important advice? Don’t panic—but don’t delay either. Invisalign treatment is time-sensitive. Each aligner is custom-designed to shift your teeth gradually. Missing even a few days without wearing a tray can allow your teeth to begin shifting back.

Your treatment isn’t ruined, but you’ll need to act fast to prevent complications or delays.

If you lose a tray, call your Invisalign provider without delay. At Shahbazyan DDS, we always guide our patients based on their specific case progression.

We will typically ask:

• How many days you’ve worn your current aligner
• Whether you still have the previous tray
• If your next tray is already available
  

This information helps us decide the safest next step in your treatment.

Here are the dentist-approved options we may recommend:

Move to the Next Set of Aligners

If you’ve been wearing the current tray for 10+ days, and your teeth have adjusted well, we may allow you to progress to the next set.

Moving ahead prematurely can cause discomfort or ineffective results if your teeth haven’t fully shifted.

Revert to the Previous Set

If you’ve worn the current aligner for less than a week, we may recommend reverting to your previous set temporarily. This helps maintain the alignment until a new tray can be made.

Keep wearing the previous aligner for at least 20-22 hours per day, just as you would a current one.

Order a Replacement Aligner

Sometimes, a replacement is necessary. Invisalign allows for replacement trays to be ordered, though there may be a fee. At Shahbazyan DDS, we handle the request directly with Invisalign and ensure you're updated on arrival timelines.

Losing a tray for a few hours is usually manageable. However, going more than 1–2 days without wearing your aligners can have side effects:

• Tooth regression (teeth shifting back)
• Delayed treatment timeline
• Poor fit of future aligners
• Possible need for additional refinement trays
• Increased overall cost
  

This is why it’s important to take action within 24 hours of losing a tray.

Here’s what we recommend to all our Invisalign patients:

• Always store aligners in their case when not in use
• Never wrap them in tissues or napkins during meals
• Avoid placing trays on counters, public surfaces, or near sinks
• Bring your previous and next set when traveling
• Keep your dentist’s contact info with you while away
  

These small habits can protect your investment and prevent future treatment disruptions.

This happens more often than you'd think. If you’re out of town:

1. Call your dentist immediately.
2. Wear your previous tray (if available) to prevent teeth from shifting.
3. If needed, we can coordinate a replacement tray to be sent to your location.
   

Tip: Always carry your Invisalign case, previous set, and next set (if you have it) when you travel.

At Shahbazyan DDS Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we’ve helped hundreds of patients navigate Invisalign successfully—even through lost trays, broken aligners, and travel mishaps. We tailor every treatment plan with precision and care, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

If you’ve lost your Invisalign aligner or have concerns about your treatment, contact our office right away. The sooner we act, the smoother your smile journey will be. Book Your Appointment Today!

If you lose your Invisalign aligner, the first step is to contact your dentist immediately. Do not attempt to skip trays or wear the next set without professional guidance, as this can cause discomfort and disrupt your treatment progress.

No, one lost tray won’t ruin your entire treatment—but it can delay your results if not addressed quickly.

Only if approved by your provider. If you've worn your current aligner for 10+ days and your teeth have adapted as expected, your dentist may allow you to move to the next aligner. However, doing so without clinical approval can cause improper tooth movement and compromise your results.

Ideally, no more than a few hours. Going longer than 1–2 days without wearing an aligner significantly increases the risk of your teeth shifting out of alignment. This may result in pain, poor tray fit, or extended treatment time. If you are in this situation, contact your dentist immediately to prevent setbacks.

Replacement costs vary depending on your case and Invisalign provider policies.

Losing more than one aligner increases the likelihood of needing a new 3D scan or a revised treatment plan. Invisalign treatment depends on sequential movements, so multiple lost trays can affect the final result. In some cases, your provider may recommend a refinement phase, which can add time and cost to your treatment.

Yes, in many cases, wearing your previous aligner is a safe temporary solution to maintain tooth position until you receive a replacement or move to the next set. However, you should only do this under the guidance of a licensed Invisalign provider.

• https://www.invisalign.com
• https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/center-for-evidence-based-dentistry
• https://jada.ada.org
• https://www.aaoinfo.org
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/