You might think of your slightly gapped or overcrowded teeth as more of an aesthetic concern than an actual oral issue. However, teeth that overlap are harder to brush and floss because not all their surfaces are accessible, which increases your vulnerability to cavities, gum disease, and injuries.
Your dentist can straighten your smile with Invisalign, but some patients have questions about handling potential problems with this treatment. For example, you might be wondering what happens if you lose one of your trays. Continue reading to learn more about what to do if you can’t find your orthodontics!
What Should I Do if I Lose My Invisalign?
One of the reasons so many people opt for this alternative to standard braces is that it’s more discreet than the traditional treatment. The transparent plastic trays fit snugly over your teeth to gently reposition them, and because they’re clear, your natural smile shines through.
Although this is one of the primary benefits of this service, it can be a hindrance if you’ve misplaced your trays. It’s worth taking some time to look around to see if you can find it. For instance, you might have left it on the kitchen counter at lunch or dropped it when you took it out to rinse your mouth after eating.
Once you can confirm that it’s missing, you should contact your dentist to let them know what happened. It’s not necessarily an emergency, but you must wear Invisalign for w0 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting. Your provider will need to let you know whether you should wear previous aligners or switch to the next set early to avoid any delays in your overall treatment timeline.
How Can I Avoid Losing My Invisalign?
It’s not the end of the world if you lose a clear aligner because your dentist can order a replacement relatively easily. However, you can avoid misplacing it in the first place by sticking to your allotted wear time to the best of your ability.
For instance, your trays should only be removed for a total of one or two hours daily, and it’s hard to lose them when they’re in your mouth. Then, when you take them out for cleanings or meals, store them in a designated spot where you will know where to look for them. Leaving them in the same place every time helps you track them when they’re not inserted.
Practicing consistent habits and following your dentist’s wear-time instructions can help you avoid losing another aligner in the future!
About the Practice
The dedicated team at Danville Dental Associates has been helping families build and maintain their healthiest, most beautiful smiles since 1976! They collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, so you and your loved ones receive the same top-quality care. Their compassionate approach is combined with state-of-the-art technology that allows them to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. If you lost an Invisalign tray, you can reach out through the website or call one of their conveniently located offices near you!