A hairline crack in your clear aligner might look harmless, but even a tiny fracture can redirect the tray’s force and warp tooth movement. Most cracks happen during routine removal, when a single, hurried tug overloads one corner of the thermoplastic; others come from chewing with trays in or storing them loose in a napkin.
This guide lays out exactly why cracks happen, when to call your provider, safe stop-gap fixes, and how to keep treatment on track—all backed by the latest patient surveys and orthodontic recommendations.
