Imagine after a long day, you decide to have dinner with your friends. As you get your appetizers, you take out your Invisalign and wrap them in a napkin. You eagerly dig in and start to join in on the conversation. After a night of enjoying each other’s company, you notice that your aligners are gone! You may be worried about whether this will affect your treatment. Keep reading to learn what you should do in this situation.
What Should I Do If I Lost a Clear Aligner?
As soon as you notice that your Invisalign tray is missing, you should check your surroundings. Check the floor, table, or counter that you may have placed them on. Since your aligners are fairly small and thin, it doesn’t hurt to check between spots they could’ve slid into.
If you aren’t able to find them, then it’s important to call your dentist right away. They will help you ensure that you don’t have any delays in your treatment. Here are some options they may have you do:
- Go back to your previous set if you have just switched to a new one.
- If it was time to move forward, then you might be able to start it a bit earlier.
- In some cases, a replacement will be needed, so they will order one and let you know when it’s ready to be picked up.
Tips to Avoid Losing Your Invisalign
While your treatment may not be affected by losing one pair of your clear aligners. It’s important to make sure this doesn’t happen again. If you are consistently misplacing them, then you can delay your final results. You might want to consider keeping a spare case with you, so that you are never too far from one. As well, avoid using anything else to store your Invisalign, as it can make it easier to accidentally throw them away.
Can Anything Happen If I Lose My Aligners Too Often?
As was briefly mentioned above, if you lose your aligners often, then you can delay your treatment. You have to wear your Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours every day, and without that consistent pressure, your teeth won’t move as they should. Instead, keep these tips in mind. Take a deep breath and call your dentist to help you get the straighter smile that you are working so hard to get!
About the Author
Dr. William Poe earned his dental degree from USC Dental School. He has since undergone extensive training in multiple fields of dentistry, including orthodontics. Dr. Poe wants to help the Los Alamitos community get the straighter smiles they deserve with clear aligners. While you might’ve accidentally lost a set, he is a call away to help stay on your treatment timeline. If you want to get a healthier bite, schedule an appointment or call his office at (562) 594-5067.