The holidays are right around the corner! If you have Invisalign in Framingham, you’re probably looking forward to fully enjoying the festivities with your practically invisible and removable aligners. However, what if you discover in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle that you’ve lost an aligner? Firstly, don’t panic! You can keep your treatment on track if you follow a few simple steps. Read on to find out what you should do if you lose an Invisalign aligner.
Step 1: Look for Your Aligner
The removable nature of Invisalign aligners is one of its most popular benefits, but also one of its largest responsibilities. If you can’t find your aligner, try retracing your steps and looking around the areas where you were most recently. Remember to take a close look when searching for your aligners since they’re clear and easy to miss. Check coffee tables, between couch cushions, on the floor, and in your pocket or bag. You may need to check the garbage to see if you accidentally threw them out!
Step 2: Call Your Orthodontist
If you simply can’t find them even after searching, don’t wait a day or two to see if they magically show up. The longer you go without your aligner, the more likely your teeth are to gradually shift out of place again. By then, even if you do find your aligner, they may no longer fit! If you can’t find your aligner, you should call your orthodontist as soon as you can.
Step 3: Follow Their Instructions
Your orthodontist will instruct you on what to do depending on your unique situation. If you just started wearing this particular aligner, they may recommend that you go back to wearing the previous set until your new aligner arrives. If you were almost done with the lost aligner, they may instead tell you to move onto your next aligner a bit early.
It’s essential that you don’t make this decision on your own! Only your orthodontist can determine the safest way to treat your teeth if you lose an aligner. In addition, they’ll tell you if a replacement aligner needs to be made and when you should come to their office to pick it up.
Step 4: Learn How to Avoid Losing Your Aligners
At the end of your ordeal, it’s important that you take the time to learn from it. Hopefully, this will help you remember to keep better track of your aligners! A few good lessons to take away from this situation are:
- Only take your aligners out when necessary.
- Always keep your aligners in their case when you’re not wearing them.
- Don’t leave your aligners on a lunch tray, countertop, or wrapped in a napkin.
We all lose important things from time to time. If you misplace your Invisalign aligners, remember these simple but important steps to stay on track for a straighter smile!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of treatments for the smiles of Framingham and the surrounding communities. We use state-of-the-art technology and advanced treatments like Invisalign to ensure every patients’ treatment is as smooth and pleasant as possible. With several affordable payment options and limited-time specials, we go above and beyond to make achieving a beautiful, healthy smile simple. If you’ve lost an aligner, don’t hesitate to contact us online or at (508) 250-0170.