One of the best things about Invisalign in Newington is that the aligners are removable, allowing patients to enjoy easy oral hygiene and the ability to eat all of their favorite foods. The removable nature of the aligners, however, does come with at least one caveat — mishaps can occur that lead to an aligner becoming lost. What should you do if one of yours seems to suddenly disappear? Here is some practical guidance:
Make a Thorough Search
Often, aligners get lost when patients take them out at mealtimes. They might wrap their aligners in a napkin, and after they finish eating, the napkin could easily be mistaken for garbage. If you think that may have happened to you, take a look in any trash bins near where you ate your last meal. Once you find your aligner, you should thoroughly sanitize it before replacing it in your mouth.
Aligners can also get lost during contact sports; athletes should take them out during games and practice and wear a mouthguard instead. Checking around your locker, as well as in the bag that usually contains your athletic gear, might lead you right back to your lost aligner.
Call Your Dentist
If your reasonable efforts to find your aligner prove to be unsuccessful, give your dentist a call as soon as you can. They might advise you to:
- Switch to a new aligner. This may be an option if you were only a few days from being able to move on to the next aligner in your treatment. However, you should not do this without your dentist’s approval. Moving to a new aligner too soon may cause significant discomfort and other issues.
- Go back to wearing an old aligner. Wearing a previous aligner can prevent your teeth from shifting too far out of place while you wait for your dentist to receive a replacement for the one that got lost.
Take Precautions Against Future Loss
Even the most careful individuals could end up losing an Invisalign aligner. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances that you will have to deal with this situation again in the future:
- Have a designated storage case for your aligners. Not only can a case protect your aligners from bacteria, but it can also prevent them from accidentally getting thrown into the trash.
- Avoid unnecessary removal. You should remove your aligners for eating, oral hygiene, and contact sports. Other than that, they should always be in your mouth.
If you ever lose track of an Invisalign aligner, do not panic. Use the above tips to get your treatment back on track as soon as possible.
Meet the Practice
The large team of dentists and specialists at Family Dental Practice of Newington are proud to offer Invisalign, traditional braces, and a wide range of other services. If you have questions about orthodontic treatment and how to make it successful, contact our team at 860-856-6201.