Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners like Invisalign® has made straightening teeth more comfortable and discreet than ever before. But with convenience comes responsibility—staying on track with your aligner schedule is crucial for success. So, what happens if you accidentally skip an aligner?
First, Don’t Panic.
Mistakes happen! Whether you misplaced a tray or accidentally jumped ahead in your aligner series, you're not alone. The good news is, most situations can be corrected with a little help from your team at Align Dental.
What Does It Mean to “Skip” an Aligner?
Skipping an aligner typically means:
You moved on to the next tray before your teeth were ready, or
You lost a tray and tried to move forward in the sequence prematurely.
Aligners are designed to gradually shift your teeth, each one building on the movement achieved by the previous tray. Skipping a step can disrupt this progression.
Possible Consequences of Skipping an Aligner
Discomfort or pain: The new tray may feel unusually tight or painful if your teeth haven’t moved enough to fit it.
Poor fit: The skipped tray may not seat properly on your teeth, which can slow down or derail progress.
Extended treatment time: Skipping ahead may mean needing to backtrack or get new trays to re-align your teeth correctly.
Gaps in movement: Teeth may not move evenly, which can impact bite alignment or lead to unexpected results.
What Should You Do If You Skip an Aligner?
Try to Revert: If you still have your previous tray and it fits comfortably, wear it again and give Align Dental a call.
Contact Our Office Immediately: Don’t guess your way forward. We’ll evaluate your progress and advise whether you should:
Go back to the previous tray
Stay in the current one longer
Order a replacement aligner (if lost or broken)
Avoid Skipping Ahead Further: Continuing to advance through trays without proper fit will likely compound the issue.
How to Prevent Future Mistakes
Set Reminders: Use a phone alarm or calendar to track when to switch aligners.
Store Trays Safely: Always place your aligners in their case to avoid losing or damaging them.
Keep Old Aligners: Until your treatment is complete, hang on to your previous tray as a backup in case of emergency.
Final Thoughts from Align Dental
Skipping an aligner by accident isn’t the end of the world—but acting quickly and communicating with your dental team is key to staying on track. If you're unsure about your aligners or your treatment progress, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Align Dental, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
