Terminal Park Dental
4-1559 Estevan Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 3Y3
General dental practice. Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations are available.
Clear-aligner problem solving
Lost or broken Invisalign aligner: do not guess the replacement stage
Keep the previous tray, identify the missing tray number and contact the treating office. The right response depends on how long it was worn and how the teeth are tracking.
Diagnosis before applianceThis page supports informed questions. It cannot examine you or determine treatment suitability.
The plain answer
Your provider may direct you to a previous tray, a replacement, the next tray or an in-person review—but the sequence matters.
A tray lost on the first day of a stage is different from one lost near the scheduled change. A small crack away from force-bearing areas is different from a split that changes fit or creates a sharp edge.
Do not wear nothing for several days and do not jump multiple stages. Teeth can move, and an aligner designed for a future position may not seat safely.
Participating Nanaimo offices
Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations in two parts of Nanaimo
This website remains a regional educational resource. Both offices offer Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations. Choose the location that is most convenient for you.
Eagle Point Dental
1-6304 Dover Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1S4
General dental practice. Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations are available.
What matters
Key points before you act
Use these as a decision filter at a real consultation.
Identify
Record upper or lower, tray number, date started and approximate hours worn.
Preserve
Keep the damaged tray and the previous tray in their cases.
Contact
Send the information and photos requested by the treating office.
Understand the issue before changing the plan
Aligner sequences depend on continuity. The provider uses timing, fit and the planned movement to decide whether a stage can be skipped or needs replacement.
Pets, tissue wrapping, restaurant trays, pockets and heat are common causes. A rigid labelled case is the most reliable prevention.
What the treating provider needs to check
A useful review should consider:
No single photograph, scan or symptom can answer every one of those questions. The treating provider should explain which records are needed, what each record shows and how the findings change the plan.
- which arch and tray number are affected;
- how many days and hours the tray was worn;
- whether the previous and next trays fit;
- whether any attachment was lost or a tooth is not tracking;
- whether the tray is cracked, distorted, contaminated or causing injury.
How this affects treatment decisions
A replacement may take time. The office may use the previous tray to hold position or approve progression when sufficient movement has occurred. The recommendation can differ between upper and lower arches.
Repeated lost trays may change cost, timeline and candidacy for removable treatment. Discuss prevention honestly rather than treating each loss as an isolated accident.
The appropriate option can change after an examination. Use this comparison to prepare questions, not to self-prescribe treatment.
Practical next steps
Carry a case, never place trays loose in a bag, and keep them away from pets and heat. For travel, pack the previous and next stages in separate labelled cases as directed.
A sharp edge or split tray should not be modified extensively at home. Ask whether a minor edge can be smoothed and whether continued wear is safe.
- Save the office’s after-hours instructions in your phone.
- Do not discard a damaged tray until the provider responds.
- Ask whether replacement fees are included in the treatment agreement.
Questions to take to a consultation
- Which tray and arch are affected?
- How long was it worn?
- Does the previous tray still fit fully?
- Is there damage, a missing attachment or pain?
- Should I hold, replace, advance or attend in person?
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Can I skip one Invisalign tray?
Sometimes a provider may approve it, but the decision depends on stage, movement and fit. Do not decide independently.
Can I glue a cracked aligner?
No. Household adhesives are not appropriate for an oral appliance and can alter fit or introduce unsafe materials.
What if I lose an aligner while travelling?
Contact the office with the tray number and wear history. Carrying previous and next trays can provide options, but only under direction.
Primary references
Sources used for this guide
External sources can change. Verify current regulatory and product information at the linked publisher.
- Invisalign aligner frequently asked questions ↗Align Technology
- How Invisalign treatment works ↗Align Technology