Many patients choose clear aligners because the transparent plastic trays are considered more comfortable and discreet than traditional braces. The ‘invisible’ material allows your natural enamel to shine through, so that you can proudly flash your already-straighter smile throughout your treatment timeline.
However, because they’re removable, you might accidentally misplace or lose one of your trays. You’re not the first person to experience this dilemma, but you might panic if you’re unsure what happens next. Continue reading to learn 3 tips to help you take the next best steps and set your mind at ease!
Tip #1: Search Unexpected Places
Clear aligners continue to gain popularity as an ‘invisible’ alternative to standard orthodontics. Although the transparent trays allow your natural smile to shine through, which can boost your confidence, they can also be easy to lose.
For instance, you might place one under your napkin at lunch and accidentally toss it out with the trash when you’re done eating. Or it could slide somewhere hidden, like between the sofa cushions or under your bathroom sink. There’s a chance you might be able to locate your missing aligner if you take the time to scour different areas where it might have gone missing.
Tip #2: Wear a Previous Tray
If you have searched every nook and cranny and still cannot find the lost aligner, you might feel tempted to switch to the next set in your series. However, depending on how long you wore the lost tray, your teeth might not have shifted enough for the new pair to fit correctly.
But clear aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily, and if you go too long without them, your teeth could start to shift back to their original positions. Unfortunately, such a relapse can add weeks or months to your treatment timeline. This can usually be avoided by wearing a previous set of trays to help prevent potential drifting until you contact your dentist.
Tip #3: Contact Your Dentist
It’s not necessarily considered an emergency when a clear aligner is lost, but it’s best to contact your provider sooner rather than later to let them know what happened. Depending on your unique circumstances, they may need to reorder a replacement tray or adjust your treatment to accommodate the missing one. In other cases, they might direct you to switch to your next set of trays earlier than initially anticipated.
Thankfully, it’s not the end of the world if you’ve lost a clear aligner, but it is important to get in touch with your provider for appropriate instructions on how to proceed!
About the Practice
At Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna, people of all ages benefit from two dentists who are passionate about helping families build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Buller and Dr. Clay collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including clear aligners, to meet your individual needs conveniently under one roof. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals, then use advanced technology to deliver customized treatments for more comfortable, accurate results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (614) 475-1874.