People love Invisalign treatments because they’re convenient. Being able to take out your aligner when you need to is a massive advantage Invisalign has over traditional wire braces. However, that comes with a unique challenge: trying not to lose your aligner. If you take it out multiple times a day, it can be all too easy to leave your tray on a table, by a bathroom sink, or even to accidentally throw it away. If you think you’ve misplaced your aligner, don’t worry; it happens all the time. Here’s what you should do if you’re in this situation.
Step 1: Check Your Surroundings
The first thing to do is to make sure that your aligner isn’t just tucked away somewhere nearby. Check couch cushions, bathroom vanities, trash cans, and any other place you may have taken it out recently. If you’ve just left a restaurant, you might ask the staff if they’ve found anything that looks like it might be your aligner.
If you found it this way, great! If not:
Step 2: Call Your Invisalign Provider
It’s fine to lose your aligner, but the important thing is that you don’t fall off track with your treatment. Your provider will be able to help you determine the next step you should take. They might ask that you move back onto a previous tray. If you’re close to switching to the next step anyway, they might instead just go ahead and move you up to the next level of alignment. If neither is feasible, your provider might have another tray made for you.
How to Avoid Losing Your Aligner
The convenience of your aligner makes it easy to misplace, which is why it’s important that you take preventive measures against that. First of all, try to wear your aligner as often as possible, at least 20-22 hours a day. After all, you can’t lose your aligner if it’s in your mouth! You should also try picking out a personalized carrying case for your aligner, and have a single place you can put it when not in use. Finally, be sure not to leave your tray on a table when you eat, or to wrap it in a napkin—that makes it easy to accidentally throw it away.
Even if you lose your aligner, you don’t need to panic. If you follow your dentist’s instructions, you shouldn’t have to worry about falling that far off track.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Camenzuli’s talents as a dentist aren’t exclusive to his expert knowledge of his field; he’s also taken the time to hone his listening skills, and he’s developed his ability to communicate empathetically with his patients. He puts all his skills to work leading each of his patients toward optimal oral health. Dr. Camenzuli obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. He’s a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction obtained by less than 6% of all dentists in the U.S. and Canada. If you have any questions about your Invisalign treatment, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (504) 584-4225.