Even the most careful, responsible people can misplace items from time to time. Whether your car keys disappear or you cannot find an important receipt, it is never fun to lose track of things you need. The situation can be especially trying if you cannot find one of your Invisalign aligners. What steps should you take to get your treatment back on track as soon as possible? This blog post contains some helpful tips.
Where to Look for Your Aligner
If your aligner was not where you expected it to be, you may need to look in some unexpected places. Some people have found a misplaced aligner in the following locations:
- The trash can. If you tend to wrap your Invisalign in a napkin while you eat, it could easily get thrown away.
- Purses and bags. If you have a large purse that is full of various items, your aligner might disappear inside of it.
- Places where it could have fallen. If you ever remove your aligner while you are in the car, it could slip between the seats. In your house, it might fall to the floor and get knocked under furniture.
Call Your Dentist
If your efforts to find your aligner prove unsuccessful, call your dentist. They might tell you to do one of the following:
- Wear a previous aligner. An old aligner can prevent your teeth from drifting too far out of place while your dentist orders a replacement for the one that got lost.
- Start wearing a new aligner a little early. If you were close to being able to advance to your next aligner, it might be okay to move forward a bit sooner than expected. You should not do this without your dentist’s explicit approval — moving on too early could cause discomfort and other problems.
Tips for Keeping Track of your Aligners
Here a few steps that will reduce the risk that you will lose another aligner in the future:
- Only remove your aligners when necessary, such as when you are eating or taking care of your oral hygiene.
- Place your aligners in their storage case whenever you are not using them.
- Do not wrap your aligners in a napkin when you eat.
- Do not place your aligners someplace where a small child or curious pet could take off with them.
Losing an Invisalign aligner can be a stressful situation, but with your dentist’s help, your treatment should be able to get back on course in no time.
Meet the Practice
The talented team of experts at Santavicca Dental Professionals is proud to offer a full range of treatments for patients in our community, including Invisalign clear aligners. If you have questions about this treatment or how to make a success out of it, we would be pleased to speak with you. Get in touch with our friendly staff at 603-215-7108.