Many people love the fact that Invisalign aligners are removable; this feature allows for easy oral hygiene, and it means you can still eat your favorite foods throughout treatment. However, removability comes with a downside; there is a chance you could misplace one of your aligners! If that ever happens to you, do not panic. Instead, follow the tips in this blog post.
Look in All the Most Likely Places
When you realize that your Invisalign aligner has gone missing, the first thing you should do is retrace your steps and check the places where it is most likely to be. Because aligners are transparent and lightweight, they can easily blend in with their surroundings or get discarded by mistake. Take a systematic approach as you search so you do not overlook any potential hiding spots.
Here are some tips to help you in your search:
- Check the last place you remember removing your aligner. This could be your bathroom, kitchen, dining area, or even your workplace.
- Inspect your napkins, tissue boxes, and trash cans. Many people wrap their aligners in a napkin during meals and accidentally throw them away afterward.
- Examine your pockets, bags, backpacks, and purses. Small objects like aligners can easily slide into these spaces.
- If you were in a car, check the seats, cup holders, and under the mats. It is easy for an aligner to fall out of your hands while you are on the go.
Take your time as you search each area, and ask others if they have seen your aligner. You might be surprised by where it turns up!
If You Cannot Find the Aligner
If your search does not lead to success, do not worry — there are still steps you can take to keep your treatment on track. First, contact your orthodontist or dentist as soon as possible to explain the situation. They will advise you on what to do next, based on your treatment plan and how long you had been using the lost aligner.
You may be instructed to wear a previous set of aligners to prevent your teeth from shifting back. This can hold your smile in position until your care provider can order a replacement for the lost aligner.
Or, if you have already been wearing the current aligner for most of its scheduled period, your provider might suggest moving on to the next set. Do not do this without explicit permission from your dentist or orthodontist; moving on too early could cause significant discomfort, and you might not even be able to slide a new aligner onto your teeth!
Losing an Invisalign aligner is a common mishap and does not mean your treatment is ruined. With the right steps and a little patience, you will hopefully be back on track in no time.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Newington, we are proud to provide high-quality care for our community. Invisalign is among the many services we offer, and we are always happy to assist patients with any issues they experience during their treatment period. If you have questions about how to make a success out of your time with Invisalign, contact our office at 860-856-6201.