It has finally happened. After being extra careful and trying to stay on top of your Invisalign treatment, the day has come where you lost your aligners. You are trying not to panic, but it is difficult not to. When you have Invisalign in Carlsbad, you need to be wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours each day, and that is very difficult to do if you don’t have any aligners. Fortunately, this isn’t the end of the world. Continue reading to learn what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.

What Should You Do If You Lose Your Aligners?

The very first thing that you should do is look around to see if you can find it. This may seem obvious, but since your trays are clear, they can be easy to overlook if they aren’t in their case. Look close by and retrace your steps if you are able to. Once you know that you have looked everywhere and still can’t find them, this is the time to call your dentist. This way, they can give you proper guidance so that you don’t fall far from your treatment plan.

It may seem tempting to just move on to your next set of aligners, but this is not usually the best idea. This will only be recommended by your dentist if you were at the very end of the previous phase of your treatment. If you weren’t, it is likely too soon. Invisalign is designed to shift your teeth very slowly into their new locations with minuscule movements over time. By moving on to a new set too early, you could be interfering with your treatment plan.

If you had only just started wearing the aligner trays that you lost, your dentist may ask that you put your previous ones back in until you can receive a new set. Ultimately, you should be transparent with your dentist so that you can stay on track towards a straighter smile.

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How Do You Avoid Losing Your Aligners?

Now that you know how much of a hassle it can be if you lose your aligners, you should take the following steps in order to prevent it from happening again:

  • Have a dedicated place, preferably a case, where you keep your aligners whenever you take them out to eat, drink, or clean your teeth.
  • Always wear your aligners unless you are eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth.
  • Don’t place your aligners on a tray, plate, napkin. You could end up accidentally throwing them away.

Nobody is perfect and accidents happen. If you lose your aligners, give your dentist a call. This way, you can stay on track with your Invisalign treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Drew Addy earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California and has extensively trained at the world-renowned Kois Center. He was voted as one of San Diego’s top cosmetic and family dentists by San Diego Magazine for 2017 and 2018. Currently, he is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment at his office in Carlsbad, visit his website or call (760) 492-6317.

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