Many patients wanting straighter smiles choose Invisalign over traditional braces because the transparent plastic trays are considered more comfortable and discreet. They’re completely clear, which allows your natural enamel to shine through to help you avoid feelings of self-consciousness.
But the ‘invisible’ aligners are also removable and can be accidentally lost or broken, which can potentially interrupt your treatment timeline. Continue reading to learn more about 3 steps to take to get help quickly if you can’t find one or more of your trays!
Step #1: Try to Find the Aligner
Unlike standard orthodontics, which are attached to your enamel throughout the duration of your treatment, Invisalign utilizes removable plastic trays. While this provides different advantages, like a lack of dietary restrictions and enhanced comfort, it’s also entirely possible to lose one or more of them.
You must wear Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their starting positions, which can add weeks or months to your timeline. You can avoid this by taking the time to locate your aligner, which might have slipped under furniture or been accidentally thrown out with your trash after your most recent meal, for example.
Step #2: Contact Your Dentist for Instructions
If you have made every effort to locate the missing trays and they are still lost, the next step is to contact your dentist to let them know. If you’re worried about being berated for the lost aligner, you can set your mind at ease. Your provider is less concerned with how a tray was lost than with ensuring your treatment remains on track.
When you call, your dentist can provide additional instructions for how to proceed while they reorder the lost aligner. Typically, they are meant to be worn for about one to two weeks before switching to the next pair in your series. You may be asked to wear a previous set or switch to the new ones earlier than initially anticipated.
Step #3: Follow the Provided Directions
It’s important that you follow your dentist’s instructions to stay on track with your Invisalign treatment plan. For instance, if you switch to the next set of trays early when you’ve been directed to revert to a previous set, your teeth might not yet be in the correct positions for the updated aligners to be effective. Following their orders and wearing your trays as directed is the best way to prevent interruptions to your treatment.
Thankfully, you’re not the first patient to lose an aligner, and you likely won’t be the last. But it’s important that you contact your dentist to let them know what happened and to keep up with your timeline!
About the Practice
Patients at Smile by Design of Virginia Beach benefit from a team of dentists eager to help them build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Santos, Dr. Folck, and Dr. Squire collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including Invisalign, conveniently under one roof. They welcome patients of all ages and utilize state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate, comfortable results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (757) 499-9639.