A cracked or lost aligner feels like an emergency in the moment, but it's a common, manageable situation. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
Cracking or losing an aligner is more inconvenient than dangerous — but acting quickly, in the right order, keeps your treatment on schedule and avoids unnecessary extra costs.
Immediate Steps
What Your Clinic Will Likely Advise
Depending on your treatment stage and how close you are to your next scheduled change, your orthodontist may advise continuing with the next tray early, temporarily re-wearing a previous one, or coming in for an assessment and possible replacement aligner.
Preventing the Next Emergency
Almost all cracked or lost aligners trace back to two habits: removing aligners without the case nearby, and biting down on something hard (like ice or pen caps) while wearing them. Both are entirely avoidable — see our full guide on aligner storage and care for more detail.