These days, instead of opting for metal braces, many people choose Invisalign® treatment, and for good reasons! The aligner trays are almost transparent and removable, meaning you can stay confident about your smile throughout. But what happens if one of your trays gets misplaced? If you have lost an Invisalign® tray and are worried about what to do next, this blog will help you out.
How a Lost Invisalign® Tray Can Affect Your Treatment
Invisalign® treatment is time-sensitive. Each set of aligners that’s custom-made for you has to be worn for about 20 to 22 hours. If you lose an Invisalign® aligner and go without it for a day or two, your teeth may start shifting back. This can happen quickly.
You may not notice it right away, but your treatment progress can be compromised. That’s why, as soon as you notice that your aligner tray has been lost, you need to take immediate action.
What to Do If You Lost Your Invisalign® Trays
First, don’t panic if this happens. It happens often with those who wear Invisalign®, and mostly because they remove the tray before eating something and then forget to place it back. So, here’s what you should do:
Call Your Dentist
The moment you realize that you have lost an Invisalign® tray or it has broken or been damaged, contact your dentist or orthodontist as early as you can. Provide specific details, including which set you were wearing and how long you had been wearing it before it got lost.
This is very important because after knowing this information, they’ll be able to guide your next steps.
Moving to Your Previous or Next Set
Here’s the tricky part. Once you lose an aligner, you may feel tempted to just move on to the next, but that’s not how it works.
Your dentist will better guide whether you should wear the next one or get back to wearing your previous aligner set. If you have been wearing your current one for more than 10 days and your teeth have adjusted, your dentist may suggest moving to the next.
But if you’ve worn your current aligner for a week or less, they may ask you to revert to your previous set.
Order a Replacement Aligner
Sometimes, you may need a replacement aligner if your Invisalign® tray has been lost. In that case, your dentist will guide you more about any additional costs and what you can do until your new aligner arrives.
How to Prevent Losing Your Invisalign® Aligners
To make sure you don’t accidentally lose an aligner, it’s best to make a few changes to your habits. Firstly, keep a spare case with you in your bag, so even if you forget one at home, you’ll have another one to keep your aligners in.
When you remove your Invisalign® trays to eat or drink something, keep them safe in that case. Avoid wrapping them in a napkin or tissue, because you may throw it away by mistake later on.
Also, save all your previous trays as well. In any case, if you lose an aligner, they can be of help until your orthodontist decides what to do next.
Summing Up
Losing an Invisalign® aligner tray can be stressful, but it’s a manageable problem. The best thing you can do is to get in touch with your dentist to know what steps you can take afterward.
If you’re dealing with a similar issue, consult our dental experts at Anh B. Dao, DDS & Associate right away! Call us at (281) 992-7000 to schedule your visit.