Why You Should Never Throw Away Your Old Clear Aligners!

The Biggest Mistake in Clear Aligner Treatment: Discarding Old Trays!

Clear aligner therapy (such as Invisalign) is one of the most comfortable and aesthetic ways to achieve a straight, confident smile. Throughout your orthodontic journey, you progress step-by-step from tray 1 to 2, 3, and beyond. However, one of the most frequent mistakes patients make is tossing out their previously used aligners.

In the video below, Dr. Dt. Ece Karaer from AEG Dental Clinic explains why old aligners are a lifesaver when unexpected life events happen:

Why Keeping Old Aligners Is Crucial:

Life happens! You might lose an aligner while traveling, experience a delay in receiving your next batch, or fall ill and temporarily stop wearing your trays. Here is what happens behind the scenes:

• Teeth Shift Back Quickly: When an aligner is not worn, teeth naturally begin to relapse toward their original positions.
• Manufacturing Delays: Ordering a replacement aligner takes time. Without a tray in your mouth during that waiting window, your treatment progress can regress significantly.
• Your Old Aligner Is Your Insurance Policy: If you keep your previous trays, you can immediately wear the most recent fitting aligner to hold your teeth in place until your replacement arrives.

Throwing away old aligners forces your orthodontist to retake 3D scans and restart production from scratch. Save your time and protect your progress by keeping all your aligners safely in their box until your treatment is 100% complete!