Whether you lost your Invisalign tray on vacation or accidentally threw away your Invisalign aligners, either situation can be stressful. But not to worry. With Loeb Orthodontics on your side, you’ll be able to handle this unexpected bump in your Invisalign journey with ease.
Here’s what to do if you find yourself searching for a lost Invisalign tray.
Check your Invisalign case
As with any unexpected problem in life, it’s important to stay calm and not panic.
Invisalign is a great invisible orthodontic treatment, but the clear trays can cause them to be easily lost. That’s why our orthodontists stress the importance of saying “if it’s not in your face, it’s in your case”. Your Invisalign case should be the “go-to” place for your aligners to keep them clean and safe.
So take a quick peek inside your case and look around the surrounding area. (Sometimes trays can slip out of the case if it’s not closed all the way. So just like when popping in your aligners, you should wait to hear the tell-tale click of the case before setting it down.)
Retrace your steps
Whether you stopped at the bar for a frozen strawberry daiquiri on vacation or simply enjoyed dinner with close friends and family on a weekday night, retracing your steps to when you last saw or had your aligners in can help.
By walking back through the last 20 to 30 minutes, you may remember that your aligners are under your dinner napkin or a friend offered to place your case in their bag for safe-keeping.
Contact us
Still can’t find your missing Invisalign tray? It’s time to contact your orthodontist.
A lost Invisalign tray is not an orthodontic emergency but it’s important to keep your orthodontist aware of any issues or damage to your aligners. Doing this ensures your treatment stays on track and that you receive expert advice on how to handle the unexpected.
Here’s how to handle a lost aligners scenario:
- If you’re close to switching to your next set, go for it.
- If you’ve just started wearing your current set, go back to your previous aligners. We may have you take pictures or schedule an emergency appointment to determine if you need a replacement set.
What if you lost just one tray, not both? Still follow these instructions as each aligner set is meant to be worn together.
Don’t skip wearing your Invisalign tray
While it can be disappointing when you lose an Invisalign tray, that doesn’t mean you should stop wearing your aligners completely. No matter if you’re advised not to move onto your next aligner set, your previous set will help keep your teeth from drifting out of alignment while you wait for a replacement set. After all, you don’t want a small hiccup in your treatment to affect all the hard work you’ve done so far.
You live, you learn
Misplacing or losing your Invisalign aligners can be an irksome experience. But like all unexpected problems, you can learn from them.
Just forming the habit of placing your aligners in their Invisalign case and storing the case somewhere safe or within sight can make a world of difference. Use this experience as a reminder to be more diligent on storing and caring for your trays. After all, your aligners are the “vehicle” behind bringing your life to life and your compliance and your orthodontists’ instructions are the drivers.
Still have questions about how to handle a lost Invisalign tray situation?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Haven’t started your Invisalign journey yet? Loeb Orthodontics is your experienced orthodontist in Oakland, NJ. Come meet our amazing team.
Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.