What Happens If You Miss an Orthodontic Check-up Appointment?

Short answer: Missing a single check-up appointment can usually be made up for; what matters is letting the clinic know quickly and booking a new appointment. When check-ups are postponed often, however, progress can slow down in fixed braces treatment, and in clear aligner treatment the fit of the aligners on the teeth cannot be monitored. Your dentist decides what to do according to your situation.

Why are check-up appointments important?

In orthodontic treatment, check-ups are not just a "quick look". At these appointments the dentist assesses whether the teeth are moving according to plan; with fixed braces the wire is changed or adjusted, with clear aligners new aligners are provided, and attachments and gum health are checked. The plan is updated if necessary. We describe the general course of treatment on our clear aligner treatment process page.

If a check-up is missed during fixed braces treatment

• After a certain time the wire has largely completed its effect; without an adjustment, the progress of the teeth can slow down.
• A loose bracket or a poking wire end can go unnoticed.
• Necessary changes to elastic wear can be delayed.
• When check-ups are postponed often, the total treatment time can become longer.

If a check-up is missed during clear aligner treatment

• If you have run out of aligners, you may be asked to keep wearing the last aligner until new ones arrive. This decision is made by the dentist.
• Whether the aligners fit the teeth fully cannot be monitored; small mismatches can add up.
• Rebonding an attachment that fell off, or a planned procedure (for example IPR), can be delayed.
• Even if you still have aligners, do not move ahead in the schedule without a check-up; consult your dentist.

For information on the aligner change routine, see our article how often are clear aligners changed?

What should you do if you have missed an appointment?

1. Call the clinic. As soon as you realise you have missed the appointment, let the clinic know and get a new date.
2. Describe your situation. Which aligner are you on, how many aligners do you have left, is there any pain or breakage? This information makes it easier for the dentist to tell you what to do.
3. Keep following the instructions. Until the new appointment, keep wearing your aligners or elastics as instructed and continue your oral care.
4. If there is a problem, do not wait. In situations such as a poking wire, a loose bracket or a broken aligner, contact the clinic without waiting for your appointment date. For these situations, see our orthodontic emergencies page.

If a check-up is missed during the retention phase

After active treatment ends, check-ups during the period when a retainer is worn are less frequent, which also makes them easier to forget. In this period the fit of the retainer, the soundness of the fixed (bonded) retainer wire and the position of the teeth are checked. If a check-up is missed and in the meantime the retainer has started to feel tight or the bonded wire has come loose, small shifts can occur without being noticed. That is why you should take retention check-ups as seriously as your other appointments.

How is rescheduling done?

At the first check-up after a missed appointment, the dentist assesses the condition of the teeth, the fit of the aligners and where the treatment stands. Most of the time the plan continues unchanged. In some cases, however, aligner change dates may need to be shifted, or an extra check-up or a plan update may be needed. If you live outside the city or travel often, discussing check-up intervals with this in mind from the start makes things easier; on this subject, take a look at our patients coming from outside Ankara page.

If you know in advance that you cannot come to an appointment

If you know in advance that you will not be able to attend a check-up because of illness, travel, exams or a busy work schedule, inform the clinic as early as possible. In clear aligner treatment, if the dentist considers it suitable for your situation, enough aligners may be provided for that period or the appointment may be brought forward a little. In fixed braces treatment, if there will be a long gap, planning the wire adjustment accordingly can be discussed. Letting the clinic know in advance makes a change of plan much easier for you.

Practical tips for not forgetting appointments

• As soon as you get your appointment date, add it to your phone's calendar and set a reminder for the day before.
• If you wear clear aligners, keep track of your change days with our aligner change calendar page.
• If you are in the retention phase after treatment, you can plan your check-up dates with the retention tracking tool.
• Let the clinic know about exams, travel or busy work periods in advance and arrange your appointments accordingly.
• Try to schedule your appointment at a time that fits your work or school timetable and is less busy; times that are often cancelled are usually times that are not convenient.

For other factors that affect treatment duration, you can read our article what affects how long orthodontic treatment takes?

Frequently asked questions

Does missing one check-up send treatment back to the start?

Usually not. Missing a single check-up can in most cases be made up for with a new appointment; the dentist assesses the situation and continues with the plan.

What should I do if I have run out of aligners?

Call the clinic. You may be asked to keep wearing the last aligner until new ones arrive; do not stop wearing aligners on your own.

Are check-ups needed during the retention phase too?

Yes. The fit of the retainer and the position of the teeth are also checked at regular intervals after treatment.

How can you find out what suits you?

The information here is general; your check-up intervals and treatment plan are determined through an examination and the dentist's assessment. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, Ankara, we discuss your questions with you during the first orthodontic examination.