Uh oh! You swore you put your aligners in their case, but now you can’t find them! Immediately, your heart sinks into your stomach and you feel the panicky sensation begin to spread throughout your body. After all, the last thing you want is to fall off-track with your treatment timeline. If you’re currently in this situation, don’t panic. Instead, keep reading to learn what to do when you lose your Invisalign aligners.
Here’s What to Do If You Lose Your Invisalign Aligners
As mentioned above, do your best not to panic when you realize you’ve misplaced your Invisalign aligners. Instead, calmly retrace your steps and pay special attention to small crevices they could’ve accidentally fallen into. Since time is of the essence, call your orthodontist as soon as you confirm that they are truly missing. From there, they can determine if wearing your previous trays is the best move or if moving onto your next set is okay. Remember, you should not make this decision on your own in an attempt to remedy the situation! This can seriously affect your treatment timeline for the worse. So, only do so if told to by a professional.
How to Avoid Losing Your Aligners
Whether you’ve lost your aligners in the past or are simply interested in learning how to avoid running into that situation, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t take your Invisalign trays out unless absolutely necessary, like when you’re eating.
- Don’t place your aligners out on a counter or wrapped in a napkin.
- Keep your trays in a designated storage case that is sturdy and brightly-colored (this will prevent it from blending in).
Why Wearing Your Aligners Is So Important
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, many patients wonder if meeting the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time requirement is necessary. The answer? Absolutely! This “rule” is in place because the trays need an ample amount of time to gradually shift your teeth. Neglecting to wear them can result in the next set of trays not fitting properly, messing up your entire treatment timeline. Therefore, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your orthodontist the moment you realize your aligners are missing.
Naturally, you may panic when you realize your aligners aren’t where you thought they were. Don’t worry – these things happen. Just do your best to locate them, and, if you can’t, contact your orthodontist. They will help you determine the next best steps.
About the Practice
At Simply Dental & Orthodontics, we are proud to have three exceptional dentists and a handful of wonderful dental professionals here to help you with all of your Invisalign needs and questions. We’ve helped countless patients in and around the Wayland area achieve the smile of their dreams with this teeth-straightening solution, and we would love to help you do the same! To learn more about what to do if you lose an Invisalign aligner or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 508-358-6300.
