At Clearsmile Orthodontics, we know our patients live their definition of an active, full life every day. We’re thrilled that our patients range in age from children to seniors and we’re equally happy that our patients have such a wide range of lifestyles.
Over the years, we’ve noticed that our patients are all vulnerable to the same thing. And that’s “life.” Life often brings many things to your doorstep that can make it impossible for you to keep track of or maintain your Invisalign clear aligners in good condition.
Even though we give you a case to keep your Invisalign aligners in when you’re not wearing them, you may realize you neglected to put your aligners in the case when you removed them at lunch, leaving you to wonder where they are. While you may have been careful to put your aligners on the edge of the sink when you brushed your teeth, it doesn’t mean your dog didn’t sneak in to see how they fit his chompers…only to subsequently use them as a chew toy.
What Do I Do Now?
Whether you misplaced your Invisalign braces or you lost them to a curious pet, your first instinct when you realize something’s gone awry might be to panic. While that’s certainly understandable, there’s no reason to overreact. In fact, you should take comfort in knowing that you are far from the first patient to lose your Invisalign aligners and it’s highly unlikely you’ll be the last.
Once you’ve taken a deep breath or two, you need to consider the options that are immediately available to you. You basically have two options: you can revert back to the aligners you’d worn right before the ones you lost or you can use the Invisalign braces that are next in line for your treatment.
In general, it’s often wise to go back to your previous set of aligners to prevent your teeth from drifting out of alignment. If you were near the end of the two weeks you were supposed to wear your lost aligners for, you may be able to move onto the next set.
When you put your next set in your mouth, you need to make sure they fit properly and that they’re comfortable. Avoid forcing the aligners to fit. If they don’t fit naturally and easily, it’s an indication that your lost Invisalign braces weren’t done doing their job. In that case, use your previous Invisalign clear aligners.
Contact Clearsmile Orthodontics ASAP
Even before you try to determine whether you’re ready to move onto your next set of Invisalign retainers, you should contact Clearsmile Orthodontics the moment you realize you lost your current set of clear aligners. We’ll be able to tell you what you need to do to stay on track with your custom Invisalign treatment plan.
While you may be able to use your old or new aligners, there is a third option that might be best—ordering new Invisalign aligners to replace the ones you lost, which is something you can’t do on your own. Give us a call, contact us online or stop by Clearsmile Orthodontics so we can determine which option is best for you whenever you lose your Invisalign aligners.