They’re Not That Invisible: What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Clear Aligner

It’s no wonder that Invisalign has been growing in popularity for the past few decades. The treatment uses a sequence of clear dental aligners to shift teeth into better alignment, allowing patients to eat whatever they want without worrying about other people noticing their orthodontic device. However, this orthodontic treatment still requires effort on the patient’s part as these clear aligners must be worn for at least twenty hours every day to be successful. Here’s a brief guide on what to do if you lose a clear aligner.

What Happens If I Stop Wearing My Aligners?

Each set of clear aligners must be worn for about two weeks before the patient moves on to the next one. If the patient does not wear their aligners sufficiently, the teeth will not shift enough before it is time to move on to the next set, causing delays in treatment. However, if the patient ceases to wear their aligners altogether, the teeth will shift back out of place, undoing much of the orthodontic work that has already been done. Accordingly, losing an aligner is an issue that must be dealt with if the treatment is to advance further.

What Should I Do If I Lose an Aligner?

The first thing to do is to retrace your steps. Where did you last take your aligner out? It’s not uncommon for a patient to take out an aligner to eat lunch only for it to be swept up with the garbage. You might also check any tables you’ve passed or even between couch cushions.

If you can’t find your aligner, call your orthodontic provider. They may advise you to go back to wearing the previous aligner or to move on to the next one in the sequence. In some cases, a new aligner will have to be manufactured.

Losing an aligner can be an incredibly difficult situation to deal with, but knowing what to do before it happens can remove a lot of uncertainty from the matter. Keeping your head cool and following your orthodontist’s instructions can help you bring the situation to a favorable result.

About the Practice

On Point Dentistry provides excellent and personalized dental healthcare to the community of Frisco, TX. Led by Drs. Marco Cabelleros and Carlos Parra, the staff ensures that each patient receives outstanding customer service and effective and compassionate treatment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign treatments. If you have lost an Invisalign clear aligner, dial (469) 476-4092. Otherwise, contact the office online for more information.