What Should You Do If You Lose Your Invisalign Aligners?

You’ve taken the plunge and decided to straighten your smile with Invisalign in Edison. So far, it’s worked wonders for you: barely anyone has noticed the virtually undetectable aligners unless you’ve told them about your treatment. However, one day you set down your aligners because you have a job interview and you want to look your absolute best. You come home and go to place your trays back in, but there’s one little problem: you can’t find them! What should you do? Read this guide on what to do if you lose your Invisalign trays.

What’s the First Thing I Should Do?

First and foremost, you should contact your Invisalign dentist in Edison and let them know you have lost an aligner. They won’t get mad at you. On the contrary, they’ll do everything they can to see you right away so they can solve your problem. Most of the time, the company that makes your trays will replace it at no extra cost to you. Losing aligners is a fairly common problem, so don’t be nervous about calling your Edison dentist right away if it happens. The longer you wait, the more time treatment could take.

Will Treatment Take Longer If I Lose an Aligner?

This is the most common question asked when someone loses a tray. If you report to your orthodontist right away, then treatment should only be set back a couple weeks while you wait for a new aligner to be shipped from the Invisalign company. However, the exact time added to treatment can only be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Can I Just Skip to the Next Set of Aligners?

You might be tempted to just keep your lost aligner a secret and move on to the next tray in the series, especially if you were going to advance soon anyway. However, this might jeopardize your treatment, as each set is designed to move a tiny portion of your smile at a time. Before you try advancing, ask your orthodontist if it’s alright. He or she may recommend trying it if you were about to move on, but if the next aligners don’t fit, you’ll have to wait and get a replacement set for the one you lost.

How Can I Keep from Losing My Aligners?

The easiest way to keep track of your aligners is to wear them as much as possible. That way you’ll know where they are for 20-22 hours a day. When you take them out to eat, drink, burhs, and floss, be sure to set them down in the same place every time. If you must remove them out in public, keep an eye on them at all costs.

Losing an Invisalign aligner isn’t the end of the world. However, always remember to call your dentist or orthodontist first thing if it happens.

About the Author

Dr. David Rosenfeld is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also a certified Invisalign provider and can help you achieve the straight smile you’ve always wanted. To get started on aligning your grin, visit Dr. Rosenfeld’s website or call (908)-668-7838.